Watch Now: “Our Connected Landscape” – Dr. Zettler-Mann on Forests, Water, and Climate Resilience

On November 15th, more than 50 attendees gathered at Peace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley for a presentation by the South Yuba River Citizens League’s Executive Director, Dr. Aaron Zettler-Mann, hosted by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Nevada County Branch. 

Our Connected Landscape 

Dr. Zettler-Mann’s presentation, titled “Our Connected Landscape: How water, forests, climate and people intersect,” explored the interconnections between our forests, water systems, air quality, and living ecosystems. He described how these four natural “spheres” work together and how healthier forests lead to cleaner water and stronger, more resilient communities. 

The presentation addressed critical questions that affect everyone living in Nevada County: 

• Why does restoring mountain meadows affect farms miles away? 
• What do we mean by “nature-based solutions” to climate challenges? 
• Why is climate change so unpredictable? 

Dr. Zettler-Mann also discussed practical steps that can be taken to adapt to changing conditions and build resilience in the face of mounting climate pressures. 

Attendees left inspired and equipped with a deeper understanding of how individual actions connect to watershed-scale resilience. 

Watch the Full Presentation 

Why This Matters Now 

Nevada County sits at the intersection of multiple climate-driven challenges. Catastrophic wildfires are reshaping forest landscapes; drought and reduced snowpack are altering water availability; and the ecosystems that support clean water and healthy communities are under increasing stress. 

As Dr. Zettler-Mann made clear in his presentation, understanding these connections —and taking action to protect our watershed — is essential for building a sustainable future in the Sierra Nevada foothills. 

What SYRCL Is Doing 

The South Yuba River Citizens League is actively working to reduce wildfire risk and build forest resilience across the Yuba River watershed. Through strategic partnerships and science-based approaches, SYRCL focuses on: 

Meadow Restoration: Revitalizing mountain meadows that store water, capture carbon, and create natural firebreaks. Healthy meadows help slow fire spread and provide critical refugia for wildlife during and after fires. 

Forest Thinning and Fuel Reduction: Collaborating with land management agencies and partners to reduce hazardous fuel loads in overgrown forests. Strategic thinning helps restore forest structure to conditions that are more resistant to high-severity fire and drought. 

Post-Fire Watershed Recovery: Implementing erosion control measures and habitat restoration in areas impacted by recent fires. This work protects water quality downstream and helps forests recover in ways that build long-term resilience. 

Community Education and Engagement: Connecting residents to forest stewardship opportunities and providing science-based information about wildfire risk reduction and climate adaptation. 

These efforts recognize that protecting water quality begins with protecting the forests and meadows that filter, store, and regulate water flow throughout the watershed. Healthier forests mean more reliable water for communities, agriculture, and ecosystems. 

Take Action for Climate Resilience 

Want to know what you can do in the face of climate change? Becoming a member of the South Yuba River Citizens League is a powerful first step. 

SYRCL members support the science-based restoration work, water quality monitoring, forest health projects, and community education that build climate resilience across the Yuba River watershed. Your membership funds the hands-on work that makes a difference— from restoring meadows that store water during droughts to advocating for policies that protect our forests and rivers. 

Whether you’re concerned about wildfire resilience, water quality, forest management, or climate adaptation, SYRCL provides concrete ways to turn concern into action. 

Become a SYRCL member today and join hundreds of community members working to protect the forests, meadows, and waterways that sustain us all. 

Make a one-time donation to support climate resilience projects happening right now across the Yuba watershed. 

Sign up for volunteer opportunities to get your hands dirty with restoration work that directly builds resilience in our landscape. 

Together, we can face the climate challenges ahead — not with fear, but with science, community action, and the determination to protect the watershed we call home. 

About AAUW Nevada County Branch 

We extend our sincere thanks to the American Association of University Women Nevada County Branch for hosting this important community conversation. For more than 75 years, AAUW Nevada County Branch has been advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. 

For more information about AAUW Nevada County Branch, visit nevadacounty-ca.aauw.net.