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.

YFN Updates and News

The upcoming May quarterly meeting has been cancelled. The next Yuba Forest Network quarterly meeting will be on Friday, August 1 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. This meeting will be hybrid. If you are interesting in presenting at a future quarterly meeting please email Kat Perlman at kat@yubariver.org to be added to the agenda. The recaps of previous quarterly meetings and discussions held are in the the meeting notes saved in the YFN Google Drive. If you are interested in joining a committee please email the meeting organizer and they will add you to the list.

We will have a couple of field tours in 2025: our first one will be on May 15 and we will tour the ‘Inimim Forest Restoration Project (see below for registration), and in August we will host a longer meadows field tour in the headwaters of the Yuba.

If you would like to sign up for the YFN bimonthly newsletter on forest health/resiliency related topics you can register here for the listserv.

If you have any shapefiles to add to the Stakeholder Mapping Tool please zip them up and send them on over to Anne Marie at annemarie@yubariver.org.

Yuba Forest Network Spring Field Tour

The Yuba Forest Network will be hosting our first field tour of 2025! On Thursday, May 15, we will meet at the Columbia Schoolhouse on Tyler Foote Rd at 9:30 am, and will conclude at 2:00 pm. This tour will explore Yuba Watershed Institute’s ‘Inimim Forest Restoration Project . If you are interested in joining sign up at this link here.

News

American Rivers is hiring a new Associate Director/Director, Norther Sierra Headwaters Conservation. This position will help American Rivers develop and implement innovative and inspiring projects and programs that protect and restore source watersheds in the northern Sierra Nevada to increase climate and water supply resilience, support natural biodiversity, and benefit local and downstream communities. They are seeking a team member who can develop and lead on-the-ground restoration projects from conception to implementation, including securing funding and permits, managing budgets and schedules for state and federal grants, coordinating with multiple agencies, partners, and consultants, and conducting appropriate project monitoring.

The SNC awards $2.3 million to 40 Acre Conservation League forest-health project

The SNC awards $2.3 million to 40 Acre Conservation League forest-health project
At the Sierra Nevada Conservancy’s (SNC) quarterly Board meeting held March 6, the Board awarded a grant of $2,299,993 to the 40 Acre Conservation League to complete forest health work on its 650-acre property just west of Emigrant Gap in Placer County.

“This grant advances SNC’s goal of expanding access-for-all throughout the Sierra-Cascade,” said SNC Executive Officer Angela Avery. “The Tahoe Forest Gateway is a beautiful property along Interstate 80 and these funds will help the 40 Acre Conservation League restore forest health and wildfire resilience as they develop a culturally relevant, accommodating, and welcoming place for the public to enjoy everything the area has to offer.”

With the help of earlier grants from the SNC and the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), the 40 Acre Conservation League was able to purchase the land—called Tahoe Forest Gateway—in early 2024. As the only Black-led land conservancy in California, the 40 Acre Conservation League has a dual mission of conserving and restoring natural lands and developing inclusive and welcoming access for recreational and educational opportunities in nature.

Learn more about the 40 Acre Conservation League here.

Yuba Watershed Protection & Firesafe Council Spring Chipper Program

Faster Permitting Without Compromising Environmental Protections

A new Statewide Fuels Reduction Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) has been developed to enable critical wildfire safety projects to proceed expeditiously while protecting public health and the environment. The EPP requires applicants to comply with best management practices and measures to minimize impacts to environmental resources ensuring water and air quality, tribal cultural resources, and special-status species and their habitats are safeguarded.

Truckee Fire is now accepting applications for the Community Wildfire Prevention Grant Program. This funding opportunity, made possible through Measure T, supports local efforts to reduce wildfire risk, improve forest health, and enhance community preparedness. Residents, neighborhood groups, homeowner associations, nonprofits, and other organizations within Truckee Fire Protection District are encouraged to apply for funding to implement projects that strengthen wildfire resilience. Applications are due May 2.

Action Alerts

Are you trying to understand how all of the new executive orders are effecting your organization? The National Council of Nonprofits has created a resource that tracks whether and how Executive Orders issued by the Trump Administration affect nonprofits directly or indirectly.

Upcoming Events

Nevada County Resource Conservation District

Prepare to Burn Workshop: Nevada County RCD will host several Prepare to Burn Workshops in the next few months: May 3, May 10, May 24, and May 31. These workshops will be led by NCRCD Prescribed Fire Community Outreach Coordinator, Jennifer Rain Crosby; Prescribed Fire Operations Coordinator, Haley Coopergard; and volunteer board member, JoAnn Fites-Kaufman, Certified California Burn Boss, retired US Forest Service Wildland and Prescribed Fire Scientist and Practitioner.

This is a hands-on workshop at a landowner’s property, where they plan on burning. Learn about the steps to prepare for a prescribed burn including planning, preparing the site, and the permitting process Learn about and practice locating a burn site, building control lines, what tools to use and when, and how to prepare a site for safe burning using techniques like selective pruning and ladder fuel removal. CALFIRE will be there to discuss permitting requirements.

REGISTER HERE

Salazar Center for North American Conservation: 2025 Symposium on Conservation Impact

Realizing a Nature-Positive Future in North America: No more business as usual: The Salazar Center’s 6th International Symposium on Conservation Impact explores how we can track our progress toward our collective biodiversity goals and how we might evolve the structures and dynamics of our social and economic systems to ensure long-term natural security and socioeconomic stability. We will invite speakers to tackle the difficult questions we must grapple with to build a future that’s fair for everyone on a finite planet. The event is on May 5-7. Registration Deadline is May 2.

Register Agenda

CAL FIRE Wildfire Preparedness Week

CAL FIRE will be observing Wildfire Preparedness Week from May 4 – 10, 2025. This week is an opportunity to build awareness around the measures that individuals, communities, and the state and our partners can take to prepare for wildfire.

Bear Yuba Land Trust

Join BYLT for their 5th Annual NatureFest, a day of nature exploration and recreation with guided nature walks, art in nature activities, self-guided adventures, and a whole lot of fun outdoors! This FREE event is fun for the whole family! On Saturday, May 10, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Wildflower Ridge Preserve in Grass Valley. Registration is requested though event-day drop-ins are welcome.

Guided hikes start on the half hour: 9:30am; 10am; 10:30am; 11am; 11:30am
With self-guided adventures, natural journaling, partner tables, and nature activities

REGISTER HERE

Fire Safe Nevada County Coalition

How To Write a Risk Assessment and an Action Plan Workshop: On Saturday, May 10 from 9:00 am -12:00 pm at the Madelyn Helling Library. This is a hands-on workshop to help you complete forms to obtain/maintain your Firewise USA® recognition. There will be a brief presentation on what a good hazard risk assessment, and action plan, entail. And, get guidance from a mentor on your documents. Bring your laptop!

Yuba Watershed and Fire Safe Council

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Forest Business Alliance

The Forest Business Alliance is hosting a Sawmill 202 Workshop: Finance, funding, marketing, and secondary wood treatment for small to mid-sized sawmills. The workshop will feature panelists across the wood products industry to present and discuss new and proven approaches to these topics. A sneak preview of the agenda can be found on the registration page. See the Eventbrite link in the table above to register now and reserve your spot! May 20, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Society for Ecological Restoration’s World Conference

The Society for Ecological Restoration’s World Conference is an exciting and inspiring biennial gathering of global experts in ecological restoration, making the 11th World Conference on Ecological Restoration (SER2025) in Denver, CO, the premier venue for those interested in being active members of the global restoration community. Early bird registration is now available here.

Recurring Meetings and Events

Nevada County OES: The next Quarterly Wildfire Stakeholder Meeting will be on June 6 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The meeting will be at the USFS Office in Truckee 10811 Stockrest Spring Rd, Truckee, CA 9616.

Sierra Nevada 30×30 Regional 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 14 on Zoom.

Sierra County Fire Safe Council: The Fire Safe Sierra County Board of Directors meets on the 4th Thursday of the month at 10:00 am at either the Sierraville Ranger Station, Sierraville School, or the Sierra City Community Hall. Meetings are open to the public.

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.

CA Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force 2025: Sacramento June 6, Regional Meeting: location TBD September 4-5, Sacramento December 12.

Yuba Forest Network Quarterly Meeting: Email Kat Perlman at kat@yubariver.org for more details. The next Quarterly Meeting will be August 1 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm hybrid.

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 June 11 from 9:30 am – 11:30 am. Meetings are held via Zoom and In-Person at the Alcouffe Center. Contact Sandie Huckins for more information at programs@yubafiresafe.org.

California Biodiversity Network Roundtable Discussions: Stewardship: May 21, 10:00 – 11:30 am. Sentinel Site Network: June 5, 2:00 – 3:30 pm.

California Landscape Stewardship Network: Peer Learning Exchange every first Monday of the month. The next Peer Learning Exchange is on May 29 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm. Email Devin Landry at coordinator@clsn.org for more information.

Sci Pub: Sierra Streams Institute hosts SciPub at the Gold Vibe Kombuchary in Grass Valley every 4th Tuesday of the month. This is a science education lecture series on a variety of topics. The next Sci Pub will be on May 26 from 6 to 7 pm.

Webinars

April 3: Nonprofit + Trail App Partnerships: Creating a Unified User-Friendly Trail Map

May 1: OPDMD or Wheelchair: Where Can They Go?

May 15: Economic Benefits of Mountain Biking in the U.S.

May 22: Plan Trails to Minimize Wildlife Disturbance

June 26: National Trails Legislative Update 2025 (registration coming soon)

Linking people and riparian forests: a sociocultural and ecological approach to plan integrative restoration in farmlands on May 28, 2025 08:00 am

6 May: Native Plants for Restoration: Responsibly Growing and Sourcing Native Plants (1 CEC)

7 May: Managing Invasives: Mindful Ecological Approaches (4 CECs)

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

The UC ANR Fire Network will be hosting the Fire Safe Solutions for Design, Building, and Upkeep webinar on Monday, May 5 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Join them to learn about simple, low-cost actions you can do to protect your home and property from wildfire. Presenter Yana Valachovic, a registered professional forester and scientist with the Fire Network, is a leader in developing and delivering local and state strategies to improve wildfire resilience. Yana will share recent insights from the Los Angeles Fires and give an overview of issues regarding building design, insurance, best practices for homeowners, and strategies for community leaders. Please use this link to register by May 1, 2025: https://bit.ly/FireSafeSolutionsWeb

Grants

WCB OPENS PRE-APPLICATIONS FOR PROPOSITION 4 GRANTS!

In celebration of Earth Day, WCB will begin accepting pre-applications for Proposition 4 funded grants on April 22, 2025.

Indian Land Tenure Foundation Cultural Awareness Grants: fund projects that maintain strong cultural and spiritual ties to the land in order to preserve traditional practices and Native American religious beliefs for future generations.

Rolling applications

Urban Streams Restoration Program (USRP): established by Water Code section 7048 which declared that urban creek protection, restoration, and enhancement are best undertaken by local agencies and organizations with assistance from the State. The USRP funds projects and provides technical assistance to restore streams impacted by urban development to a more natural state.

Rolling applications

The Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous People: Land, Water, and Climate Grant Program: supports the traditional land and water stewardship and life systems practices of federally recognized tribal nations and Indigenous-led nonprofit organizations.

Rolling applications

Vadon Foundation Grants support innovative community-based initiatives that sustain healthy, thriving, Indigenous nations in perpetuity, including language revitalization, food insecurity, community leadership, etc.

Rolling applications

Trek Bicycle Corporation: The Trek Foundation Public Trail Development and Land Protection Initiative protects land, develops trail systems for public use, and provides more riders access to great places to ride.

Rolling applications

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 Headwaters Economics Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire (CPAW) Program is a technical-assistance program that provides support for communities to reduce wildfire risks through improved land-use planning, compelling communication, and applied research.

Rolling applications

The William G. Pomeroy Foundation: National Register Signage Grant Program: provides funds to government entities and nonprofit organizations to defray the costs of plaques or signs for public properties and historic districts that are placed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

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: 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 CDFW Restoration Grant Opportunities: Nature-Based Solutions (Part A): Wetlands and Mountain Meadows Restoration: expands nature-based solutions across California that will advance an approach to restoration that works with and enhances nature to help address societal challenges. Up to $2 million of this will be available for non-lethal beaver damage management. More information can be found in the Beaver Conflict Resolution Grant Opportunities Call for Projects.

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

Truckee Fire Protection District: Community Wildfire Prevention Grant Program. The grant program is intended to enhance existing forest management and fuel reduction projects/activities, and/or support new projects and programs, with the main objective of reducing the threat and intensity of wildfire in the Truckee and Donner Summit Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and better preparing communities for wildfire.

Due May 2

On Common Ground: On Common Ground is a national research and capacity building program at Trust for Public Land (TPL) that supports parks and public space projects to foster social connection and bridge community divides. They are accepting proposals for community engagement projects that help community members connect across lines of difference.

Due May 9

Acres for America 2025 Request for Proposals: Acres for America is the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s premier land conservation program and was established to provide urgently needed funding for projects that conserve important large-scale habitats for fish, wildlife, and plants through voluntary land acquisitions and perpetual conservation easements.

Due May 20

Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program Public Lands Funding 2025-26: The Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program’s (NBHIP) Public Land Program is designed to provide assistance to state Wildlife Areas and National Wildlife Refuges to improve the quantity and quality of upland habitat for the benefit of nesting waterfowl, game birds and pollinators.

Due May 23

Creating Opportunities for Relevant Experience (CORE) Wildland Fire Training Crews: To engage with women, veterans, and youth to begin development of the next generation of the wildland firefighters, managers and scientists contributing to the mission of the National Park Service wildland fire program by offering relevant work experience. Learn more

Due May 24

30×30 Funding Resources: link to an excel Google Document for 30×30 related funding opportunities.

Literature and Resources

A new online streamlining request process now makes it easier to get State approval to implement critical wildfire risk reduction projects. Information on project eligibility, the Statewide Fuels Reduction Environmental Protection Plan, FAQs, and the request form are available on the Task Force website.

PROJECT STREAMLINING REQUESTS WEBPAGE

Prescribed Fire Smoke Planning Tool

The SmokePath Explorer has been developed by Sonoma Technology in partnership with CAL FIRE as a new planning tool for prescribed fire. The tool analyzes 20 years’ worth of meteorological variables to generate the probability of smoke impacts from a prescribed fire. It also identifies the population, educational facilities, and healthcare facilities that have the potential to be affected by smoke. Essentially, it was built to help practitioners plan in advance the time window that would be best to burn and whom to contact to warn of potential smoke impacts.

UC ANR: Forest Stewardship Mapping Forest Features

Collaborative Conservation Tools & Resources

Western Collaborative Conservation Network (WCCN) and the Center for Collaborative Conservation (CCC) have put together a collaborative, live document: “Collaborative Conservation Tools and Resources”.

Free and Open-Source Geospatial Tools

A self-published book by Vance Russell (owner of VR Conservation Collective) provides resources and examples of open-source geospatial software and solutions. The book is intended for beginners with some knowledge of desktop tools such as ArcGIS Pro or QGIS and a limited understanding of coding using Javascript or Python.

Stewardship Workforce Training Database

There is now an online database of stewardship workforce development programs across California, designed to support individuals and organizations interested in obtaining training, hiring stewards, and funding environmental workforce education. Share and explore opportunities to take stewardship action!