YFN: May/June Newsletter
Land Acknowledgement
SYRCL works throughout the Yuba River watershed on the Ancestral and Traditional homelands of the Nisenan Tribe, and includes shared boundaries with the Mountain Maidu, Konkow, and Washoe peoples. These tribes have lived here for millennia and live here still. We acknowledge and mourn the painful history of genocide and the devastation of lands and waters irreversibly altered. We are grateful for opportunities to partner with the tribes to create a shared vision and rebalance our relationship to this place.
Upcoming Events
YFN’s First Field Tour! After the Yuba Forest Network Quarterly meeting on Friday May 3rd from 10:00 – 12:00 pm, there will be a field tour in Nevada City to learn more about fuels reduction treatment on private property and the Hoyt-Purdon Fuel Reduction and Prescribed Fire Project from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. This will be a walking tour and comfortable walking or hiking shoes will be needed in the semi-developed trails with some steep sections for approximately 2 miles. There is the possibility of participating in a controlled burn after the Field Tour, if you are interested in this email Kipchoge beforehand.
contact Anne Marie Holt if you have any questions.
Join Nevada County RCD for a free 2-hour course from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on May 8th on an introduction and overview of writing a basic prescribed fire burn plan. This workshop will be led by Prescribed Fire Program Manager Joaquin Pastrana and Jo Ann Fites-Kaufman, Certified California Burn Boss, retired US Forest Service Wildland and Prescribed Fire Scientist and Practitioner.
UCANR has an upcoming California Forest Stewardship Workshop: Join the workshop to better understand and protect your forests by developing a Forest Management Plan. Topics include: Forest management objectives and planning, Forest health, Forest and fire ecology, wildlife, watersheds, Fuels reduction, targeted grazing, and forest resource marketing, Mapping, inventory and silviculture, Project development & permitting, and Getting professional help and cost-share opportunities. Participants will utilize online resources on their own time to complete learning modules and short activities. Zoom meetings with all participants and presenters will take place once a week on Wednesdays, 6:00pm-7:30pm. The in-person field day will cover silviculture, forest inventory and mapping activities. Participants who complete the workshop will be eligible for a free site visit with a California Registered Professional Forester, California Certified Burn Boss, or California Certified Range Manager. All forest landowners across California are welcome to join!
Registration is available at: http://ucanr.edu/forestryworskhopregistration
Registration fee is $60.00. Scholarship funding for registration fee is available. For questions, contact Kim Ingram, kcingram@ucanr.edu.
Eldorado County: held online May 14 – July 16, 2024 and in-person Saturday, June 8th.
2024 FireWise Festival Fundraiser: Nevada County Firewise Communities is encouraging all of their Firewise Communities to participate in the Firewise Festival on Saturday, June 1. $40 discount tickets are on sale now through March 31. Your ticket includes: Admission into Lake Wildwood, Bill’s Chuckwagon BBQ Dinner and two drink tickets, Live Music, Vendor and Educational booths, First Responder Services Displays (CalFIRE, Nevada Co Consolidated Fire, Nevada Co Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue, Animal Evacuation), Live and Silent Auctions and An opportunity to meet with your neighbors and others who strive to maintain our safe and beautiful mountain lifestyle.
Please purchase your Firewise Festival Tickets here.
You’re Invited to Celebrate the Yuba River!
Join the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) for Wild for the Yuba – a special Dinner & Auction – on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 6:00-9:30 pm at the beautiful grounds of the Schrammsberg Estate in Nevada City, CA. The event features music, great food, and an array of fabulous auction items donated by local businesses, artists, and others in support of the Yuba.
This is a fundraiser for SYRCL’s Environmentalist of the Year Scholarship, SYRCL’s Education Department, and the summer programs striving to keep the river healthy and safe, such as River Ambassadors and the Yuba River Cleanup.
Learn more about the event here.
The Tahoe Central Sierra California Forest Residual Aggregation Market Enhancement (Cal FRAME) Pilot Project Team has completed preliminary work on the Biomass Conversion Facility Case Study, and this will be presented at the Local Engagement to Enhance Forest Biomass Residual Utilization in the Western Central Sierra Workshop sponsored by the Placer County APCD and PCWA on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Meeting details and agenda to follow.
General News and Press Releases
American Rivers is hiring! Two positions are open in their California Headwaters Program:
- Director, Northern Sierra Headwaters Conservation
- Associate Director, Central Sierra Headwaters Conservation
Contact Julie Fair at jfair@americanrivers.org for more information.
The South Yuba River Citizens League is hiring a new Forest Health Project Coordinator. This position will support the development and implementation of watershed health monitoring for the North Yuba Landscape Resilience Project.
contact Kat Perlman for more information.
USFS Pacific Southwest Region Releases Broader-Scale Monitoring Results Viewer: follow this link for more information
The Forest Business Alliance is pleased to release the first chapter of their guide to forest business development at forestbiz.info. The Analysis chapter examines funding for CAL FIRE’s Business and Workforce Development Program to Q3 2023. They will add new chapters to the guidebook in the next few months. Suggestions and feedback (and kudos!) are all welcome.
Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) just announced their Tribal Empowerment and Mentoring Program (TEAM Program), which is funded through SNC’s Regional Forest and Fire Capacity (RFFCP) block grant from the Department of Conservation. The goal of this program is to build capacity among tribes in the SNC region to act as leaders in ecosystem restoration and community resilience work.
To do this, SNC will provide an intensive, year-long Capacity Building program that will help tribal staff develop the skills to obtain funding, implement grants, manage programs, engage in multi-agency efforts, and to be successful in other critical areas. If you are selected to receive the Capacity Building grant, you will receive:
- Funding to pay staff to participate in the one-year program (2 part-time or one full-time). This funding is estimated to be $100,000.
- A series of workshops held over a one-year period (see the end of this document for a draft curriculum)
- One-on-one assistance
- Partnership building and networking opportunities
Tribes who successfully participate in the TEAM Program Capacity Building Component will be eligible to apply for Demonstration Project grants. These will be grants of $100,000 – $200,000 that will allow tribes to lead or participate in programs and activities that advance tribal efforts to improve forest health and fire resiliency, facilitate greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and/or increase carbon sequestration in forests in California’s Sierra-Cascade.
Zoom Session 2: Tuesday, May 7, 1:00-2:00 pm
USFS Northwest Forest Plan Amendment
The Northwest Forest Plan covers 24.5 million acres of federally managed lands in northwestern California, western Oregon, and Washington. It was established in 1994, and after nearly 30 years, the Northwest Forest Plan is being updated to accommodate changed ecological and social conditions. Since September 2023, a Federal Advisory Committee has been meeting regularly to develop a set of recommendations to the U.S. Forest Service for Northwest Forest Plan updates. Recently the FAC put forth Draft Federal Advisory Committee Recommendations to the U.S. Forest Service, and at their last meeting April 16-18, 2024 the FAC reviewed the recommendations leading up to the development of components of the Northwest Forest Plan Amendment.
California is supporting the return of over 38,000 acres of ancestral land to tribal stewardship and advancing nature-based solutions projects on tribal lands. The state has awarded more than $100 million for 33 tribal land projects. The funding, already allocated as part of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 state budgets, will be used for ancestral land return, implementation of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and tribal expertise, habitat restoration, climate and wildfire resilience projects, and more. See the project recipients here.
Many of these projects will help bring the state closer to meeting our 30×30 goal. Additionally, the initiative builds on the Governor’s direction for state entities to work cooperatively with California Native American tribes in returning ancestral lands to tribal ownership in excess of state needs and support California tribes’ co-management of and access to natural lands within a California tribe’s ancestral land.
Nevada County Awarded Nearly $1 Million for South Yuba Rim Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project
Nevada County Evacuation Study Identifies Priority Projects to Seek Grant Funding
CAL FIRE Burn Permits Required May 1
Spring prescribed fire projects planned to begin on the Tahoe National Forest
Firewise Communities in Nevada County Encouraged to Apply for Second Round of Micro-Grants
Recurring Meetings and Events
Sierra Nevada 30×30 Meeting: Contact Lis Olearts at liesbet@sierranevadaalliance.org for more information. Meetings occur monthly on the second Wednesday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, with the next meeting on May 8 on Zoom.
Forest Business Alliance: The FBA provides technical assistance, workshops, and a peer-learning network to increase local and regional capacity for applicants to CAL FIRE’s Business and Workforce Development Program. Peer Learning Network sessions on Zoom at noon. 2024 sessions: May 21.
Forests Lab: A monthly meet up on recent literature on forest health, the next one is scheduled for 6:00 pm on May 22, location TBA. Email Erin Andrew at erin@sierrastreamsinstitute.org for more information.
CA Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force: Sacramento: June 20, 1:00-4:00pm, Sierra Regional: September 26-27. Sacramento: December 13, 9:30-12:00 pm.
Yuba Forest Network Quarterly Meeting: Email Anne Marie Holt at annemarie@yubariver.org for more details.. The next Quarterly Meeting will be on May 3 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Nevada County Coalition of Firewise Communities Meeting: Contact Jeff Peach at jeff@nccoalitionfwc.com for more information. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday in February, May, August, and November at at 5:30 pm.
Yuba Watershed Protection and Fire Safe Council Meeting: The next council meeting will be held on May 8. Meetings are held via Zoom and In-Person at the Alcouffe Center. Contact Sandie Huckins for more information at programs@yubafiresafe.org.
Webinars
Northern Research Station and partners present Changing Hydrology, Changing Landscapes, a webinar series exploring research and management perspectives on extreme precipitation. The first session airs from 8:00 am – 9:00 am on May 1.
On May 2, 2024 at 10:00 am: the Society of Ecological Restoration will be hosting their Webinar series with Using Drones as a Vegetative Management Tool. Davey Resource Group, Inc. (DRG) has introduced a fleet of drones with herbicide applications, aerial imaging, and seeding capabilities to help efficiently address your land management challenges. This presentation will go over multiple case studies on how DRG pairs drone technology with boots-on-the-ground expertise allowing our restoration ecologists to provide a variety of services.
Prescribed Fire for Forest Management Webinar Series: 6:30- 8:00 am.
- May 1: Prescribed Fire and Game Species
- June 5: Prescribed Fire in Urban Landscapes
- July 10: Prescribed Fire and Climate Change
- August 7: Case Studies: Prescribed Fire and Red Pine
- September 4: Case Studies: Prescribed Fire and Interfering Vegetation
- October 2: Prescribed Fire Workforce Development
Esri Training: On May 2 at 9:00 am and 11:00 am Esri is hosting a live training seminar to learn how Survey123 Connect (part of ArcGIS Survey123) can help with enable user-friendly data collection. Two sessions are available.
USDA NRCS: Mapping Riverscapes to Support Productive and Resilient Working Lands: On May 2 at 11:00 am, Dr. Joseph Wheaton, a professor of riverscapes in the Department of Watershed Sciences with Utah State University; and Jeremy Maestas, a sagebrush ecosystems specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service Western National Technical Support Center, will share new findings on effectively targeting wetland restorations in the riverscapes of the intermountain West during our one-hour Conservation Outcomes Webinar. This webinar will provide key takeaways from a study, co-developed by Utah State University and NRCS-led Conservation Effects Assessment Project, on leveraging the Valley Bottom Extraction Tool (VBET) to identify current wetland and riverscape health in key Western U.S. watersheds, create tools to inform conservation, and document outcomes of restoration efforts. No registration is required to attend this free, virtual webinar. Visit the Conservation Outcomes Webinar Series webpage below for additional information, including access instructions.
California Natural Resources Agency Hosts Virtual Discussion on First-Ever Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets
As part of the Secretary Speaker Series – this session on Thursday, May 2nd from 12:00 -1:00 pm will focus on Tapping Nature-Based Climate Solutions Across California. In this virtual meeting you’ll hear form government leaders who shaped the targets and talk to key environmental leaders driving the nature-based solutions movement. Register here to participate.
Science you can use Webinar: Mobile biochar production from forest biomass as a site restoration and climate change mitigation tool: Join this webinar hosted by Nate Anderson that focuses on the use of biochar. First Friday All Climate Talks (FFACCTS) are a monthly webinar series organized by the USDA Climate Hubs and Forest Service R&D. FFACCTS features presentations from USDA scientists and practitioners exploring the nexus between climate, agriculture, nature and people. Friday, May 3rd from 10:00 – 11:00.
SCIENCEx Soils will be exploring how the health of our forests — and planet — depend on what’s beneath our feet. The Forest Service Research and Development SCIENCEx webinar series unites scientists and land managers from across the Forest Service and beyond. May 6-10, 2024, 11:00 – 12:00 pm. Register here.
-May 6: Why do foresters need soil scientists?
-May 7: How can soil science be applied to forest management?
-May 8: How can soil scientists and foresters build relationships?
-May 9: How can soil science lead to resilient forests?
-May 10: How can research support timber management and soil science?
On Tuesday, May 7 from 9:00 to 10:00 am the Natural Areas Association will be hosting their second webinar of the Series: Embracing the Power of Nature for Watershed Recovery. This upcoming webinar is: Process-based Stream Recovery Strategies. Join Reid Whittlesey, restoration program director, Rio Grande Return, as he considers process-based strategies for stream recovery that embrace the power of nature. This webinar will emphasize natural techniques using plants and the reintroduction of beaver (Castor canadensis) to support nature’s ability to restore ecological systems. Learn more about how these strategies may be universally applied across North America.
30X30 Pathways in Focus Webinar: Expanding and Accelerating Environmental Restoration & Stewardship – Join them on May 22 from 10 – 11:30 am for the next Pathways in Focus webinar to hear bright spots and ongoing challenges from those working hard to expand and accelerate restoration and stewardship across the state in support of 30×30’s Pathway 6.
Beaver Restoration by Federal Agencies – Presented by the National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). A series of webinars introducing the topic of restoration of aquatic ecosystems through the reintroduction of beavers, the use of beaver dam analogues (BDAs) or restoration designed to attract beavers to an area to contribute to changing hydrology and restoring ecosystem services. Register for the webinar here. Online webinar on June 5, 2024, 12:00-1:30pm.
Safety First: How to Effectively Demonstrate Safe Outcomes in Your Grant Applications – Presented by TrailNation Collaborative, powered by Rails to Trails Conservancy. Gain tools and tips for demonstrating safety in your grant applications. Learn how to talk about projects and safety improvements in solid, quantifiable ways to produce stronger and more competitive grant applications. Register for the webinar here. Online webinar on June 26, 2024, 10:00-11:00am.
Virtual Workshop: Defending the Core from Invasive Annual Grasses from the University of Wyoming Institute for Managing Annual Grassing Invading Natural Ecosystems.
Research – Best Practices – Methodology: Nature benefits when practitioners have access to science and experience-based information that supports land stewardship. New Content to be publicly available every Friday at 11 am ET. Visit the NAA Programs & Events Calendar to learn more.
Grants
The Hart Family Fund for Small Towns Grant: provides modest funding for early planning of preservation projects in small towns with populations of 10,000 or fewer.
Due May 1.
The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program (ICARP) Adaptation Planning Grant Program: provides funding to help fill local, regional, and tribal adaptation planning needs, provides communities the resources to identify climate-resilience priorities, and supports the development of a pipeline of climate-resilient-infrastructure projects across the state.
Pre-application interest form due March 18 to receive application technical assistance, otherwise due May 6.
2024/25 Effectiveness Monitoring Committee Request for Research Proposals to test the California Forest Practice Rules and related regulations: The Effectiveness Monitoring Committee is an advisory body to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, intended to fund robust scientific research aimed at testing the efficacy of the California Forest Practice Rules and other natural resource protection statutes, laws, codes, and associated regulations, which address natural resource issues including, but not limited to, watershed science, wildlife concerns, and wildfire hazard.
Due May 15.
The HHS Environmental Regulatory Enhancement Program: helps empower tribal and Alaska Native communities to manage lands, water, and air in their regions.
Due May 20.
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Cultural and Community Resilience Program: supports community-based projects that empower people to define, collect, and use cultural and historical resources, including documenting traditional knowledge, memories of elders, practices, or technologies.
Due May 21.
The First Nations Development Institute: Advancing Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant: supports climate action that addresses adaptation and disaster preparation through projects that aim to grow tribal capacity and programs, such as cultural burning and beaver restoration.
Due May 22.
The US Department of Interior (DOI) National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund: Annual Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) Grants: helps THPOs with the identification, evaluation, and protection of historic properties, as well as carrying out historic preservation activities.
Due May 30.
Better Together Nature Positive Innovation and Resilience Hubs Grants: PG&E is now accepting applications for grants totaling $900,000 to support regional land and water stewardship and air quality projects, as well as local community resilience hubs.
Due June 7.
California Forest Legacy Program: The purpose of the Forest Legacy Program is to protect environmentally important forest land threatened with conversion to non-forest uses. Under this competitive grant program, CAL FIRE purchases or accepts donations of conservation easements or fee title of productive forest lands to encourage their long-term conservation.
Due June 7.
WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects: For water conservation and efficiency projects, water management and infrastructure improvements, and river and watershed restoration projects and nature-based solutions.
Due: June 18.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Tribal Wildlife Grant Program: supports programs that benefit wildlife and habitat, including species of Native American cultural or traditional importance and species that are not hunted or fished.
Due June 21.
Environmental Enhancement & Mitigation: The EEM Program is an annual program established by legislation in 1989 and amended on September 26, 2013. It offers grants to local, state, and federal governmental agencies, and nonprofit organizations for projects to mitigate the environmental impacts caused by new or modified public transportation facilities. There are three types of EEM project: Urban Forestry, Resource Lands, and Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency.
Due June 25.
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Grants: U.S. Standard: This grant program supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). Projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds.
Due July 11.
AIR QUALITY INFORMATION: MAKING SENSE OF AIR POLLUTION DATA TO INFORM DECISIONS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES OVERBURDENED BY AIR POLLUTION EXPOSURES: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD), as part of the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program and in collaboration with the Air, Climate, and Energy (ACE) research program, is seeking applications proposing community-engaged research in underserved communities to advance the use of air pollution data and communication of air quality information for empowering local decisions and actions that address community-identified air pollution concerns. Specifically, this funding opportunity is soliciting research projects that involve substantial engagement with communities, community-based organizations, and/or Tribes to address both of the following priorities:
Due July 26.
USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act Forest Landowner Support: Tribal Access to Emerging Private Markets for Climate Mitigation and Forest Resilience: This forecasted funding opportunity will be the second in an anticipated series of Forest Landowner Support programming. Forest Landowner Support programs are funded by Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provisions (Public Law No: 117-169. Subtitle D, Sec. 23002(a), Competitive Grants for Non-Federal Forest Landowners). These programs fall under the authorities of the USDA Forest Service’s existing Landscape Scale Restoration Program, as authorized under Section 13A of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2109a). This forecasted funding opportunity will solicit proposals for IRA provision Subtitle D, Sec. 23002 (a)(2) and (a)(3) which provide the USDA Forest Service with funding to support the participation of underserved and small-acreage forest landowners in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience.
Due August 21.
USDA WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I: to develop a watershed group, complete watershed restoration planning activities, and design watershed management projects.
Due September 3.
The NDN Collective Community Action Fund: supports tribes, tribal nonprofit organizations, and other Indigenous communities and organizations most impacted by local challenges – ensuring that resources and decision-making ability lies with those who are best equipped to solve pressing issues and address imminent threats.
Rolling application until October 31.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Community Change Program supports community-driven projects that build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen their climate resilience, and advance clean energy.
Rolling applications until November 21.
US FWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program: provides free technical and financial assistance to plan, design, supervise, and monitor customized habitat-restoration projects
Rolling applications.
The CA WCB 30×30 Grant Program: Land Acquisition supports high-priority land acquisition projects associated with the implementation of a natural community conservation plan (NCCP) and/or habitat conservation plan (HCP).
Rolling applications.
The CA Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) Climate Adaptation and Resilience Program funds projects that provide climate adaptation and resilience on California’s natural and working lands.
Rolling applications.
The CDFW Beaver Conflict Resolution Grant Opportunities: Nature Based Solutions: Beaver Restoration Program (rolling) supports the implementation and promotion of human-beaver coexistence strategies through funding for technical assistance and implementation of non-lethal beaver damage deterrence.
Rolling applications.
The Headwater Economics Community Planning and Assistance for Wildfires (CPAW) Program provides interdisciplinary teams that collaborate with communities to develop site-specific planning recommendations regarding wildfire risks.
Rolling applications.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Sacramento District California In-Lieu Fee Program provides funding for on-the-ground implementation of aquatic-resource restoration, establishment, enhancement, and/or preservation projects in specific Sierra Nevada watersheds. Contact Chris Gurney for the most recent Notice of Funding Availability.
Rolling applications.
The USDA Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program provides technical and financial assistance to plan and implement authorized watershed project plans for the purposes of flood prevention, watershed protection, public recreation, etc.
Rolling applications.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Landowner Support: Supporting Underserved and Small-Acreage Forest Landowner Participation in Emerging Private Markets Grant Program – Track B: supports the participation of underserved and/or small-acreage landowners in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience. Track B is for projects with budgets up to $2 million.
Rolling applications.
The Hind Foundation Standard Grants Program: supports community-based projects proposed by nonprofit organizations in several areas, including plant and wildlife protection, historic landmark restoration, and ecosystem conservation.
Rolling applications.
30×30 Funding Resources: link to an excel Google Document for 30×30 related funding opportunities.
Literature
“Underground seed banks hold promise for ecological restoration”
Film: “California’s Watershed Healing”
“Prescribed fire and mastication reduced bark-beetle-caused pine mortality”
“Severe drought drives pulse of snags and fuel loads”
“Fire Use Around the World: Purposes, Principles, Policies, and Practices”
The Yuba Forest Network is in part funded by the Catalyst Fund of the Network for Landscape Conservation
Did you enjoy this post?
Get new SYRCL articles delivered to your inbox by subscribing to our ENews.
6 Comments