This summer, we hosted a total of 17 students across two Earthwatch groups in June and late July. This immersive, overnight, 12-day field science expedition focused on teaching meadow ecology, monitoring, and restoration practices at Loney Meadow and Van Norden Meadow within the Tahoe National Forest.
In June 2021, SYRCL led our week-long Youth Outdoor Leadership Opportunity (YOLO) expedition with 6 local high school students with great success!
SYRCL is working to restore aspen in the Yuba River watershed so they can provide habitat for numerous species of insects, birds, and mammals and help improve water quality. You can help us by getting involved next weekend. Learn more about SYRCL’s restoration project and how to sign up below.
You may be familiar with non-native European honeybees (Apis melifera) because they are used commercially to produce honey and pollinate crops. But what do you know about bees native to our watershed?
We are still recruiting 10th-12th graders and graduating seniors interested in this FREE five-day summer science expedition. This year students will install aspen enclosures at Loney Meadow, conduct biological studies, collect data, take beautiful hikes, and learn about the importance of healthy meadows and meadow fringe aspen ecosystems. Details
Through this Biodiversity Conservation Grant, SYRCL will be able to provide hands-on meadow restoration experience to high schoolers. Students will help in restoration efforts while learning about field monitoring techniques, aspen ecology, and current threats. Details
Forests of the Sierra Nevada have evolved with fire, as is evident in Sierran tree species characteristics, landscape scale fire histories, and the cultural history of these forests. Now, these same forests face the consequences of over a century of fire suppression that has resulted in a buildup of fuels and, in the worst cases, high-intensity wildfires that burn tens of thousands of acres. With great effort, decision-makers and stewards of the land are working to restore fire to the landscape in a way that supports fire resilient ecosystems and reduces the risk of high-intensity wildfire. Details
In the Sierra Nevada, a diversity of meadow and wetland types offer the opportunity to admire beautiful and fascinating plants from spring through fall. Learn more about how the geomorphology and hydrology support that diversity. Details
Aaron Zettler-Mann recently stepped into the role of Watershed Science Director, taking the helm of our science department and its many projects throughout the watershed. Learn more about Aaron and if you see him around town, please offer him a warm welcome (from a safe distance). Details
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are committed to finding safe and creative ways to collaborate with our youth citizen scientists. On October 24th, four alumni from our 2019 YOLO program joined us in Loney Meadow for a day of service work. These students helped to complete important, on-the-ground restoration actions. Details
