Highlights
Sierra Nevada Alliance Annual Report
click here to view the Sierra Nevada Alliance Annual Report 2017-2018.
Dear Alliance Supporter!
It has been an amazing year at the Sierra Nevada Alliance! Actually, it’s been an amazing 25 years.
That’s right, 2018 marked our 25th Anniversary of protecting and restoring the Range of Light. Whether you’ve been with us for 25 years, five years or one month, we’re glad you’re a part of the Alliance family. Together, we’ve accomplished a lot over the last quarter-century.
Together with you this year, we have:
• Maintained a robust AmeriCorps program with more than 15,000 watershed acres restored, more than 1,250 sites monitored, more than 165,000 individuals educated, more than 35,000 volunteers recruited, and more than 500,000 hours of service contributed since 2007.
• Rebuilt our Member Groups to 42 over the last year by providing improved resources, trainings, and coordination among them.
• Hosted a memorable 25th Anniversary Conference with more than 130 local, regional and national thought-leaders coming together to discuss and plan “regional resiliency” for the Sierra.
• Marched forward with climate work, both by working with municipalities to pass 100% clean energy resolutions and hiring two Climate Fellows to expand and implement regional climate action plans and facilitate regional partnerships.
None of this would be possible without you. We are only as strong as our partners, Member Groups, individual supporters, and volunteers. We are proud of our hard work over the last 25 years and we have our sights on much more over the next 25, including:
• Work on expanding and building off of our AmeriCorps program;
• Provide an even greater supply of talented staff to implement the tremendous amount of on-the-ground conservation work needed to create the resilient Sierra we desire;
• Work more diligently on providing greater capacity-building resources for our Member Groups;
• Represent our Member Groups in the advocacy arena; and
• Build out more regional frameworks for watershed, forest health, climate action and adaptive management planning for the region within the coming year.
Thank you for taking the time to read our 2017-2018 Annual Report and learn more about the work we do! We hope you will lock arms with us, so that our impact is that much bigger in the years to come. As we all know, there is much still be done to protect and restore the Sierra in order for it to be resilient to climate change, fire, development, and all that threatens it.
Jenny Hatch
Executive Director
SNAP Spotlight: Seqoia Riverlands Trust
Sequoia Riverlands Trust is a non-profit organization that focuses on protection and rehabilitation of important lands around the San Joaquin Valley. In addition to owning six preserves around Tulare County, SRT also works with local organizations, land owners and special interest groups to promote productive and healthy land use, conserve natural resources, and protect the agricultural integrity of over 20,000 acres within the central valley. Along with working with individuals and organizations personally invested in the land, SRT also works with school systems and community based organizations around the county to promote environmental education and hands-on learning for students and volunteers of all ages. By hosting both classroom sessions as well as field trips, SRT helps students broaden their understanding of the environment around them, and promotes conservation efforts and citizen science for future generations. Additionally, SRT hosts many volunteer opportunities for community members to become more involved in the conservation and rehabilitation of the land around them.
This year’s SNAP members - Dana Everhart, Claire Thompson and Sneha Kumar - are very involved in meeting all of these goals, especially in the conservation and rehabilitation of SRT’s lands, and the promotion of community involvement and citizen science across the county. Dana, as a returning Americorps member with SRT, embraces her new role as Volunteer Coordinator with enthusiasm. A Visalia native, she is excited to support and give back to her local community. By using her outgoing personality, prior experience and personal connections, she is able to plan events and coordinate between local organizations and volunteers to help complete the necessary restoration tasks and promote healthy habitats within the preserves. As the Conservation Technician, Claire is able to apply her expertise in environmental science and trees, as well as her prior experience working in conservation with Americorps through the Student Conservation Association. SRT’s new Education Technician, Sneha, is able to use her background in education and mentorship to promote environmental education and citizen science among students and volunteers associated with the organization. Originally from the East Coast, Sneha is excited to learn more about California’s environmental curriculum and SRT’s education goals, as well as explore the natural beauty of the Golden State! All three members are excited to be part of the Sierra Nevada Alliance, and are looking forward to the opportunities and events of the upcoming year!
Resources
SNA is Seeking Proposals for DOC's Watershed Coordinator Grant
Sierra Nevada Alliance is working with Sierra Conservation organizations to help coordinate colaborative proposals for the DOC's Watershed Coordinator Grant. If you are interested in being part of a proposal, or are currently drafting a proposal, please contact Sara, Sierra Nevada Alliance's Education and Communication Director, so she can inform you about potential proposals in your area, and share resources from our previously organized call. sara.monson@sierranevadaalliance.org.
Learn more here.
Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership Request for
2019 Half Term Program Applications
SNAP will begin a Half Term version of its highly successful AmeriCorps program in the Sierra Nevada in April 2019. SNAP will place 2 highly qualified and motivated, full-time AmeriCorps members at California and Nevada conservation organizations and natural resource agencies serving the 400 mile-long ‘Range of Light’. Members will serve mid-April 2019 - mid-September 2019. We are accepting applications from sites that would like host a Half Term Member or two, through January 25th. The application period for Half Term SNAP Members will be January 29th-February 15th.
Learn more here.
Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS) Control Program, Grants & Funding
The NPS Program administers grant money it receives from United States Environmental Protection Agency through Section 319(h) of the Federal Clean Water Act and from the state Timber Regulation and Forest Restoration Fund. These grant funds can be used to implement projects or programs that will help to reduce NPS pollution.
Learn more here.
Cooperative Watershed Management Program
The Cooperative Watershed Management Program (CWMP) contributes to the WaterSMART strategy by providing funding to watershed groups to encourage diverse stakeholders to form local solutions to address their water management needs.
Learn more here.
Natural Resources Funding Opportunities
Current Funding Opportunities: grant and loan programs within the Natural Resources Agency, and its departments and conservancies.
Learn more here.
Service+Tech
Service+Tech, an initiative of Service Year Alliance, is an opportunity for service year corps members and alums to develop essential technology skills, discover pathways into tech careers, and leverage technology to solve society’s most pressing challenges. The initiative allows participants access to free, exclusive programming — from speaker series to career fairs — that connects them with opportunities to utilize technology-centered approaches to solving America’s most pressing problems.
Learn more here.
Action Alert: Tell Governor Newsom to Save Yuba Salmon
Wild salmon are in trouble. Drought, dams, degraded habitat, and water diversions are driving the West Coast’s most iconic fish closer to extinction. Please visit the link to sign the letter to Governor-elect Gavin Newsom.
Learn more here.
