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| Alpine Watershed Group protects, conserves, and restores the watersheds of Alpine County by promoting sustainable community and science-based collaborative solutions.
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Despite a cool and overcast morning, the third annual Arbor Day event in Alpine County led by the Forest Health Community Working Group (FHCWG) was a planting success rooted in collaboration. Approximately 760 Jeffrey pine seedlings, donated by the Sugar Pine Foundation, as well as 25 pinyon pine seedlings and around 200 pinyon pine seeds, provided by the Washoe Environmental Protection Department (WEPD), were planted in the corridor between Curtz and Summit Lakes on April 25. A huge thank you to the 121 volunteers that showed up to aid in reforestation efforts in the Tamarack Fire burn scar.
The FHCWG is comprised of participants from Alpine County, Alpine Biomass Collaborative, Alpine Fire Safe Council, Alpine Trails Association, Alpine Watershed Group, Bureau of Land Management, CAL FIRE, US Forest Service, and the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. Washoe tribal leadership provided support through collaboration with their Environmental Protection Department to assist in getting pinyon back on the landscape in the first of its collaborative efforts with the FHCWG. Thank you to Alpine Trails Association for providing tools and event support; California Climate Action Corps Fellows for helping to coordinate the event as well as ongoing post-event monitoring and watering (contact Bella if you want to help with watering!); WEPD for their generous donation of the pinyon as well as their staff time; and Alpine County Unified School District’s Intersession Program, the Woodfords Indian Education Center, and the Washoe Tribe Conservation Corps for sending groups of volunteers.
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| Understanding the Movement of Sediment in the Upper West Fork Carson Watershed
AWG and our consultants, Waterways and Watershed Resiliency Consulting, began work on the West Fork Carson Prioritization Plan (WFCPP) in fall 2024. The need for this study stems from the West Fork Carson Vision Plan. The WFCPP includes developing a "sediment budget” of the upper West Fork Carson River in California to estimate where and how much sediment enters the system. The plan will use stream restoration techniques to reduce the inputs of fine sediment into the system.
The project started with initial field work, mapping bank erosion (see below photo) and identifying possible restoration opportunities. So far, the study shows that most of the sediment entering the system comes from the upper watershed (above 7,000 feet elevation). One recommended approach for reducing sediment inputs is to work with human and beaver engineers to raise the level of stream beds closer to the floodplain to increase the amount and frequency of meadow flooding, similar to the project recently completed in Faith Valley by American Rivers. Doing this will have multiple water quality benefits, including reducing bank erosion, trapping fine sediment, and recharging meadow groundwater. In addition to the water quality benefits, increasing the extent and frequency of meadow flooding will also offer many habitat improvements for fish, birds, amphibians, and riparian plants. Ongoing work includes identifying the “low hanging fruit”—where conditions are appropriate for accomplishing these goals. Additional modeling and analysis of data will continue through the summer of 2025. As data collection wraps up, the project will work with stakeholders and landowners to prioritize and design potential opportunities. Stay tuned for a public meeting later this year to learn more about project findings and review the proposed project list.
For questions regarding the WFCPP, please contact Headwaters Coordinator Rachel Maurer.
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Thank you, Kaitlyn!
AWG sincerely wishes Kaitlyn Garber farewell and good luck in her next endeavors as she parts ways with AWG. Kaitlyn started with us in September 2023 as a California Climate Action Corps (CCAC) Fellow. She completed an 11-month AmeriCorps term as a Wildfire Restoration and Forest Resiliency Fellow and then returned to the program as a Climate Resiliency Fellow starting in September 2024. Taking a strong interest in regenerative agriculture, endangered species awareness, and community composting, Kaitlyn increased AWG’s knowledge base on management practices and techniques for regenerative agriculture as well as on the impacts to Alpine County from SB 1383. Kaitlyn’s contributions to our monitoring and outreach efforts greatly increased our small team’s capacity. Kaitlyn helped with a variety of monitoring, including surveying for tree seedling survival, monitoring beaver in Faith Valley, and assessing vegetation regrowth in the Musser and Jarvis watershed. Please join us in wishing Kaitlyn all the best in her career.
CCAC Update: The CCAC program was impacted by federal budget cuts. While the program was able to offer fellows a way to finish their term if they so desired, the termination of federal funding has impacted AmeriCorps programs throughout the nation. For more information on the ongoing and previous work completed by AmeriCorps members and volunteers, please visit their website.
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Climate Corner
Purge Your Spurge (Donkey Tail, Euphorbia myrsinites)
By Climate Resiliency Fellow Bella Kurtz
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As you tend your garden this spring, be alert for Euphorbia myrsinites. Common names of Euphorbia myrsinites include myrtle spurge, creeping spurge, and donkey tail. Donkey tail was introduced as an ornamental species (originating from Eurasia) and has subsequently been listed as noxious in several western states. In 2018 donkey tail was added to California’s noxious weed list as “A” rated. A major concern over this plant is its high toxicity to animals and humans—when this plant is picked or disturbed it releases a milky white sap that can cause burning and blistering to flesh, and it can even cause blindness if it gets into your eye. Please wear gloves, a long-sleeve shirt, pants, closed-toe shoes, and eye protection when working with donkey tail if it is present in your garden. You can access a great fact page for this species, created by the Plumas-Sierra Counties Department of Agriculture, here.
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In Alpine County, donkey tail has been observed by Airport Road and has been treated by the county Agricultural Commission. Be mindful of accidentally transporting invasive species such as donkey tail around Alpine County. If you encounter invasive species while working on your property, you should bag and dispose of the organic material via your regular household trash—invasive species should not be placed in an open trailer for transport to the burn pile where they may easily escape and spread to new areas.
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| DPR Is Offering Free, At-Home Well Testing Kits
Kit recipients will receive a box with equipment and detailed instructions to collect and return water samples. DPR will cover costs for shipping samples and will use the samples provided to analyze well water from across California. Limited kits are available.
To request one of the kits, send your name, address, and phone number to GWPP@cdpr.ca.gov or call (916) 445-2262. A Spanish- or English-speaking staff member will respond to arrange shipping a kit. Results will be provided to the volunteers within 2-5 months.
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| All Things Watersheds
Biomass Pile – The biomass collection at Turtle Rock Park is open for residents to drop off woody debris and vegetation. Depending on weather conditions, residents can continue to drop off materials until May 28. See the flyer for more information and for dates and times that residents can drop off materials.
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| Upcoming AWG Events
Saturday, May 17, 10:00 a.m. – Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup (RSVP)
Friday, May 23, 9:00 a.m. – Turtle Rock Park BioBlitz
Saturday, June 7, 11:00 a.m. – AWG River Monitor Training
Wednesday, June 25, 5:00 p.m. at Markleeville Library – AWG Board Meeting
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In loving memory of past AWG Board Member, longtime AWG River Monitor, and watershed steward Virginia “Ginger” Craik (left)
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| We are grateful for the financial support of all who love Alpine County. We are able to lead volunteer workdays and field trips, support community science data collection, and host California Climate Action Corps Fellows because of your generosity.
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AWG has earned a 2024 Gold Seal of Transparency with Candid! Check out our Nonprofit Profile here.
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Ways to Connect or HelpWe always love to hear from our watershed community! Below are email links to reach AWG's staff, or reach us at AWG's office at (530) 694-2327. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Contact Us!
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| A quick note for Gmail users:
To get our monthly bulletin email sent to your "Inbox" instead of "Promotions,"
click and drag the email over to your "Primary" tab.
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