Events and Activities
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection- Water Education Workshop
Join NDEP and other Nevada water resource professionals to learn about local water resource issues and solutions. All are welcome. Educators can earn professional development hours. Attend either or both days at no cost at the Carson City/Storey County UNR extension office (2621 Northgate Lane, Suite 15).
Saturday, January 25th topics focus on sustainability. Sunday, January 26th topics focus on flood awareness and other climate issues. Nonpoint source pollution prevention will be addressed on both days.
Date: January 25- January 26, 2020
For more info, click here
Science of Cocktails
The Science of Cocktails is a unique evening event where mixology and science meet. This event will be held on Friday, January 31 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Tahoe Science Center in Incline Village, NV.
Date: January 31, 2020
For more info, click here
California Forest Stewardship Workshops
The workshops will address management objectives and planning, forest restoration, fuels reduction, project development, permitting, and cost-share opportunities. Participants will connect with other landowners and learn how to collect information to develop their own management plans.
Date: Berkeley- February 1, 2, and 8, 2020, or Redding February 7, 8, and 14, 2020
For more info, click here
Sierra Day in the Capitol
Sierra Nevada Alliance, Sierra Business Council, The Sierra Fund and the Sierra Water Work Group are joining together to sponsor the “Sierra Day in the Capitol” on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. Alliance Member Groups are urged to attend this free educational and advocacy event to help raise the profile of the benefits the Sierra Nevada region provides to all Californians.
Date: February 4, 2020
For more info, click here
Thriving in the Outdoors: Social and Emotional Learning in Nature
Learn ways to improve your practice and deepen your understanding of how to support social and emotional development in nature-based programming while networking with your peers.
Date: February 16, 2020
For more info, click here
Water 101 Workshop And Tour Offer Opportunity To Deepen Understanding Of California Water
Sign up for our Water 101 workshop on Feb. 20 to hear from experts on these topics and more. Then join us on Feb. 21 for an optional tour that will get you up close with innovative water partnerships, projects and programs that serve as models statewide.
Date: February 20, 2020
For more info, click here
Sierra Streams Institute- California Naturalist Course
Dive into ten weeks of hands-on natural history lessons and citizen
science to become a better steward of the Sierra Nevada ecosystem.
Date: March 4-May 13, 2020
For more info, click here
Job Announcements & Volunteer Opportunities
Food Love Farm Educator- Sierra Harvest
Sierra Harvest is a nonprofit dedicated to educating, inspiring and connecting the people of
Nevada County to fresh, local, seasonal food. We train dozens of farmers, organize hundreds
of community events, and educate over 9,500 school children. We envision a thriving local food
economy and a network of financially viable farms providing good food for the community,
where health and wellness is the norm and people of all ages are engaged in growing,
harvesting, preparing, and sharing fresh food. We are creating a place where farmers thrive
and residents of all ages have access to nutritious, whole food.
For more info, click here.
Forest Heath Fellow- Pit and Fall River Resource Conservation Districts
Assistant Forester: The position will provide forestry assistance, under
the direction of a California Registered Professional Forester. The position will work primarily
on those projects lead by the Fall River and Pit RCDs, but could occasionally help on other
public benefit type projects, such as on the Lassen NP, McArthur-Burney Falls State Park, or
other local benefit type projects. Work would include a wide range of para-professional
forestry tasks, including unit layout, tree marking, assistance with NEPA and or CEQA
document preparation, wildlife surveys, development of restoration prescription
recommendations, contract administration, and other tasks under the supervision of a
California Registered Professional Forester.
For more info, click here.
Forest Restoration Fellow- Eldorado National Forest and American Forests
The selected candidate would be establishing monitoring plots and conducting
monitoring related to reforestation on the King Fire on the Eldorado National Forest. This will include
establishing monitoring plots for different planting techniques including comparison of cluster planting
and even spaced planting, and could also include identifying microsites where different planting
techniques could be used to meet management objectives include setting up plots in planted areas
where burning is planned to occur and taking initial and follow-up data, analyzing cost differences for
planting techniques, and monitoring survival, growth, stocking, and species composition across
planted areas, or other monitoring efforts connected with King Fire reforestation. The selected
candidate may also contribute to this year’s reforestation efforts though identification and inspection or
implementation of planting, site prep, and release activities. The candidate will be using existing
literature, ArcGIS, field recon and sampling, and other technology to locate and synthesize data for
comparison and future use. The candidate may use growth models and other spatially explicit
mapping and visual programs to display stand development and present benefits and costs going
forward using different planting and management techniques in reforestation.
For more info, click here.
Mountain Area Preservation- Membership and Outreach Director
Mountain Area Preservation seeks to hire a non-profit or business professional to fulfill the position of Membership & Outreach Director. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of conservation in the Truckee-Tahoe region, by working directly with MAP members, the community and visitors to engage and educate the public on MAP’s membership program as well as regional land use advocacy efforts benefiting the conservation and environmental sector of the Truckee-Tahoe region.
For more info, click here.
South Yuba River Citizens League- Science Director
SYRCL’s interdisciplinary River Science team works to ensure a healthy and resilient watershed through diverse restoration, monitoring, and water quality projects. The Science Director develops and implements program strategies and workplans, overseeing a team of eight and working collaboratively with multiple federal, state, academic and local partners.
For more info, click here.
Mountain Area Preservation- Volunteers Wanted
MAP was selected to be the non-profit beneficiary partner of Fireside Pizza at Squaw for 2020. In order to maximize the fundraising potential, we're recruiting volunteers for the pizza cart throughout the year.
For more info, click here.
Truckee River Watershed Council- Program Manager
We’re hiring a Program Manager as one of several staff who plan and implement restoration projects to increase the amount of restored land in the middle Truckee River watershed. They also manage one or two volunteer-based restoration programs.
For more info, click here.
Highlights
Now Hiring Half Term SNAP Members
The Sierra Nevada Alliance is proud to implement the Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP). Each year, the Alliance places 28 AmeriCorps members with partner conservation organizations throughout the Sierra Nevada. Beginning in April, Half-Term Members serve for 5 months. During which they restore and monitor impaired Sierra watersheds, educate and perform outreach to Sierra residents and visitors on environmental issues, and recruit and manage volunteers for a variety of programs. SNAP members gain skills and technical training, are mentored by outstanding environmental leaders, and make a real difference in the communities of the Sierra Nevada. A living allowance, loan forbearance, and health care benefits are provided during the term of service, as well as an end-of-service education award.
Sierra Nevada Alliance is looking for Half-Term SNAP members for the 2019-20 cohort. SNAP Members protect the Sierra environment and rural communities while growing as individuals and receiving tangible benefits. Members protect the Sierra environment and rural communities. They not only learn teamwork, communications, conservation issues, responsibility and other essential skills that will help them for the rest of their lives, but also gain the personal satisfaction of taking on a challenge and seeing results.
Click here to view Half-Term SNAP position descriptions.
First Cohort of Sierra Corps Fellows Have Started Working at Host Sites!
Our first four Sierra Corps Forestry Fellows went through orientation in Auburn two weeks ago and started work at their Host Sites on January 13. The Alliance is excited to welcome this group of motivated, dedicated individuals to our team. Funding for this program has generously been provided by the California Timber Regulation and Forest Restoration Fund as well as the
California Climate Investments Fund
via the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program, both of which are implemented through the Sierra Nevada Conservancy , an agency of the State of California.
We are still hiring for two Sierra Corps positions for this first year. Visit our application website for details on the two positions we have open. We are also seeking partner organizations interested in hosting a Fellow for the second year of the Program. If you are interested in learning more about partnering with the Sierra Corps Forestry Fellowship Program, please contact Program Director Nicole Lutkemuller at nicole@sierranevadaallinace.org.
Katie Reidy will be working a two-year position with the Sierra Valley Resource Conservation District out of Sierraville through the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Grant Program. Katie’s work will focus on planning and implementing forest health and rangeland management projects for the RCD. Katie grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, but as soon as she could she fled to the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Southeastern US, where she studied environmental ecology at the University of North Carolina Asheville. It was there that her passion for the outdoors, the environment, and conservation blossomed. After years of working and studying forest health, Katie began teaching environmental education for a variety of organizations. Her drive to teach about the environment brought her to CA, where she lived in Yosemite teaching young students about the importance of conservation. Katie is now eager to be a SNA Fellow and be back in action helping to protect local watersheds, by working alongside the US Forest Service and Sierraville RCD, where she will assist in a range or projects. In her free time, you can usually find Katie whitewater kayaking on local rivers, baking bread, or playing in the outdoors in some capacity.
Marlon Charneau will be working a two-year position with the Eastern California Water Association and American Forests out of Mammoth Lakes through the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Grant Program. Marlon’s work will focus on building capacity in the Eastern Sierra for planning and prioritizing forest health and natural resource management projects. Originally from a small island in the French Caribbean, Marlon moved to the United States for High School. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2014 with a B.A. in Psychology and a concentration in Wilderness Therapy where he integrated the power of nature to help marginalized individuals find direction. After spending five years in that field, Marlon realized his own passions and decided to pursue a career in Environmental Management. He is now in his second year of a Master’s Program in Environmental Policy and Management with a concentration in Data Analytics and Reporting. His aspirations are to create communities that utilize the environment as a force to build resilient economies and social wellbeing. Although the mountains are where Marlon feels most at home, California is a good fit for him because of his mutual love for the ocean. Dirt, snow, water, and trees are what make him feel alive!
Rubie Teffeteller will be working a one-year position with Yosemite Sequoia RCDC and American Forests out of North Fork through the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Grant Program. Her work will include collaborative project planning and prioritization for forest health restoration and biomass utilization. Originally from Pennsylvania, Rubie transplanted to Chico, CA in the fall of 2018 to manifest her passions for environmental stewardship and positive change. She served an AmeriCorps term with Plumas National Forest through the SNAP program and accomplished a variety of work, including environmental restoration, grant administration, and on the ground project implementation. Prior to her move, Rubie worked in plant pathology after graduating from Penn State Harrisburg with a B.S in Biology. Feeling deeply connected to the world around her, she is excited to strategically plan projects that will benefit the Sierra Nevada and strengthen her new, local community of North Fork and its surrounding areas. In collaboration with others, she plans to help improve forest resiliency and increase the capacity for land stewardship and socioeconomic growth in the regions of Madera, Mariposa, Tulare, and Fresno counties. In her spare time, Rubie enjoys cooking, traveling, live music, and all things outdoors. She has been a vegetarian for nearly a decade, is an undeniable animal lover, and can often be seen picking up strays on the sides of busy roads. No matter where she finds herself, she strives to be meaningful and firmly believes that every single individual can make a positive impact on the planet, no matter how big or small.
Thurman Roberts will continue working for Calaveras Healthy Impact Product Solutions, but in a new role as a Fellow, out of West Point and Woodfords through the Timber Regulation and Forest Restoration Fund. As a Fellow, Thurman will work on forest restoration project management and tribal community outreach and engagement for CHIPS’ continued triple bottom line programs. Thurman grew up on the Eastern Slope of the Sierra Nevada on the Hung-A-Lel-Ti reservations of the Southern Band of the Washoe People. Not realizing his journey would ultimately be within the environmental realm, he attended college at Humboldt State University in Northern California on a path towards teaching. It was at HSU where he was a “Big Brother” to a local Native youth as part of the Indian Teacher Education Personnel Program or ITEPP, and where Thurman did health and education awareness outreach to local tribes. After fifteen years in Humboldt County he moved back to Hung-A-Lel-Ti to help his parents and see how he could help his small reservation. Within a year of returning Thurman learned of CHIPS’ triple bottom line approach of restoring the land, the local people, and local economies and was motivated to work with them for the past two years. He started as a crew member executing forest thinning projects, invasive plant removal, and trail, forest, aspen stand, and meadow restoration on the USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Eventually Thurman also began doing payroll, accounts payable, and logging daily activities for a crew of 15 as a crew lead. Now as a Sierra Corps Fellow, he will hone his passions of community outreach, leadership development, community and forest health, and education by reconnecting Native people to once again become Stewards of their traditional lands.As a Sierra Nevada Alliance Forest Fellow, he will hone he’s passions of community outreach, leadership development, community and forest health and education by
reconnecting Native people to once again becoming Stewards of their traditional lands. Current projects
include: “View 88” a fuels reduction project along hwy. 88, a cultural dig out of hazard tree removal
within the Paradise Fire burn scar, Tribal Elder firewood program, and development of contracts to fund
continue work in the Sierra and around Lake Tahoe working.
Fellows at Orientation in Auburn from left to right: Thurman Roberts; Marlon Charneau; Rubie Teffeteller; Katie Reidy; and Program Director, Nicole Lutkemuller.
Resources
Visions of The Lost Sierra- Movie and Petition
After touring film festivals in two dozen cities across the country, we’re excited to share our documentary online for all to view!
Learn more here.
Prop 68 Groundwater Treatment and Remediation Grant Program
Proposition 68 was passed by voters in June 2018. The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) will administer $74 million from Chapter 11.1 for grants for treatment and remediation activities that prevent or reduce the contamination of groundwater that serves as a source of drinking water.
Learn more here.
Climate Change Research Program
The Strategic Growth Council was allocated a total of $5 million in California
Climate Investments Program funds in the fiscal year 2019-2020 budget for the Climate Change Research (CCR) Program to administer a third round of grant awards.
Learn more here.
The policy of the Resource is to include articles that appear in local or
major media outlets relevant to Sierra conservation. We also include news
releases, event notices, funding opportunities and job announcements sent to
us from our Member Groups and friends. If you as a reader disagree with the
content of a submission we encourage you to submit a letter to the editor of
the issuing publication to reach the broader audience who read the article.
You are welcome to forward your letter to the editor to the Alliance for
inclusion in our new "Letters to the Resource" section. We also invite Letters
to the Resource to be directly submitted on any article with which you're
concerned.
Newsletter contents prepared by Sara Monson, Education and Communication Director with the Sierra Nevada Alliance.
If you have articles, events or announcements that you would like included in this newsletter or if you have feedback,
please email Sara.
If you would like to support the Sierra Nevada Alliance initiatives,
please click here to contribute to our funding.
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