April 2022 Conservancy Newsletter
Published: Apr 11, 2022
Spring is in the air. Despite this week’s welcome storms, the snowpack is melting fast. The Conservancy is preparing for field season. We look forward to celebrating Earth Day this month–read on for opportunities to get involved in efforts to protect the environment. This month we also feature newly released strategy documents that outline how we can build greater resilience to climate change.
– California Tahoe Conservancy
Earth Day 2022
Earth Day is not until April 22, but you can celebrate all month long at Lake Tahoe. You have many ways to get involved: volunteer at a beach cleanup, participate in citizen science activities, or join in-person and online special events. Here are some resources to get engaged:
Keep Tahoe Blue Community and Volunteer Events
Take Care Tahoe Events
Tahoe Environmental Research Center Events
A Special Conversation with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe - Secretary Speaker Series
April 13, 1:30 – 2:30 PM
Climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe joins California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot for a timely and important conversation. In her recent best-selling book, Dr. Hayhoe shares how we can engage all Americans in combating climate change and how we maintain hope amidst the climate crisis.
Tahoe Climate Resilience Action Strategy
In the past year, Tahoe communities have experienced the climate crisis first-hand: major wildfire evacuations were followed by climate whiplash, as weather swung between the extremes of long dry spells and large, disruptive storms. Through the newly released Tahoe Climate Resilience Action Strategy, federal, state, and local partners have identified five focus areas to advance equity, create jobs, and build resilience for the Lake Tahoe Basin’s extraordinary natural resources, 57,000 residents, and an economy that supports 15 million annual visitors.
Greater Upper Truckee Watershed Restoration
Tahoe partners have identified ten opportunities within the greater Upper Truckee watershed to restore the Upper Truckee River, protect Lake Tahoe, and make our communities more resilient to climate change. This new report presents a bold vision for restoring the largest watershed in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Updated: California Climate Adaptation Strategy
On April 4, Governor Gavin Newsom and state agencies released the updated California Climate Adaptation Strategy. The Strategy links together the state’s existing and planned climate adaptation efforts, showing how they fit together to achieve California’s six climate resilience priorities. The Strategy is organized around outcome-based priorities, enabling a coordinated, integrated approach to building climate resilience.
Nation’s leading wildfire management groups honor the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team with Wildfire Mitigation Award
In March, the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) received a 2022 National Wildfire Mitigation Award for innovation and leadership in wildfire mitigation. The award recognizes outstanding service at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels of government and at the community level. It is the highest national honor an organization can receive for exceptional work and significant program impact in wildfire preparedness and mitigation. The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team is Lake Tahoe’s partnership of 21 federal, tribal, state, and local organizations dedicated to managing Tahoe’s forests and preparing communities for wildfire. The Conservancy, a proud TFFT member agency, congratulates its partners on this momentous award.
Coming Soon: A New Email Tool for the Conservancy
The Conservancy is joining fellow California state agencies in using govDelivery to distribute its newsletters, Board meeting announcements, and press releases. Stay tuned.
Conservancy Staff Updates
Employment Opportunities
Want to join a great team protecting a national treasure? The Conservancy has an opening for an accounting assistant. Learn more about employment opportunities with the Conservancy.
New Employees
Alan Castner
Forestry Field Preparation Specialist
Alan rejoined the Conservancy staff in April as a Forestry Field Preparation Specialist. Working in the Community Forestry program, he is leading seasonal Forestry Aides to lay out and prepare forestry projects. Alan will also oversee the Conservancy’s forest monitoring and support other Community and Landscape Forestry efforts. Prior to joining the Conservancy, Alan worked at the Nevada Division of Forestry, where he served in roles planning, designing, and managing forest management projects, and also supervising crews. He previously worked with the Conservancy’s Forestry Program, as well as the Tahoe Resource Conservation District, Tahoe National Forest, and the Bureau of Land Management. Alan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Geography with a focus in Natural Resource Management from San Francisco State University.
Farewells
Thea Graybill
The Conservancy says farewell to senior legal analyst Thea Graybill, who has moved on to a new role at the California Department of Conservation. Since joining the Conservancy’s legal team in 2017, Thea has played a key role in all aspects of the Conservancy’s legal affairs. She led preparation for many aspects of the Conservancy Board’s meetings and operations. We wish Thea the best in her new role.
Upcoming California Tahoe Conservancy Board Meetings
The California Tahoe Conservancy Board will meet on June 16, 2022. An agenda will be available on the Conservancy website ten days prior to the meeting.
News
Debriefing Caldor – Moonshine Ink, March 11, 2022
Affordable housing project in South Lake Tahoe granted $19.6 million – Tahoe Daily Tribune, March 12, 2022
Two CA wildfires in 2021 cost over $500 million to fight – The Sacramento Bee, March 24
A home is key: Homeless population decreases in South Tahoe – Tahoe Daily Tribune, March 27, 2022
How can I prepare for California wildfires? Here’s a guide – The Sacramento Bee, April 3
California wildfires: Risk high in 2022 amid drought, climate change – The Sacramento Bee, April 4
Show Your Love for Tahoe While Protecting It
When you order a California Lake Tahoe license plate, you help build biking and hiking trails, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and protect Lake Tahoe’s famous beaches and blue waters. 96 percent of all funds from Tahoe plate sales come back to Lake Tahoe.
Show Your Love for Tahoe While Protecting It
When you order a California Lake Tahoe license plate, you help build biking and hiking trails, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and protect Lake Tahoe’s famous beaches and blue waters. 96 percent of all funds from Tahoe plate sales come back to Lake Tahoe.