Dear Truckee River Supporter,

Happy holidays, from One Truckee River!

This holiday season, we’re pausing to reflect, consider, and appreciate all that we’ve enjoyed and achieved in 2025. From growing our new Workforce Program planting native trees along the Truckee, to hosting community events, this past year has been a special one for us.

In this newsletter, we’re celebrating our 10 favorite things about the Truckee River in 2025, recognizing our Workforce Program’s accomplishments, talking about keeping our holiday travel river-friendly, and more!

Here’s what’s inside December’s newsletter:

1. Our 10 Favorite Things About the Truckee River in 2025

2. Caring for the River, Caring for the People: The First 16 Months with The One Truckee River Workforce Program

3. Traveling for the Holidays: The River-Friendly Way

4. Recognition for our 100% Giving Board

5. Upcoming Event: January 10th Winter Wildlife Walk

6. Welcome to OTR: Jeremy M. Smith (Board of Directors) and Northern Nevada Bird Alliance (OTR Partnership Council)

What’s your favorite thing about the Truckee River?

From recreation to restoration, wildlife to wildflowers, looking back at our 2025 it was tough to pick just 10 favorites. We put together a list of our top activities, programs, and features along the Truckee River and its surrounding watershed. Check out our list…and let us know what we left out!

In September 2024, we launched the One Truckee River Workforce Program. For just over a year, we’ve been pairing restorative vegetation management efforts along the Truckee River with workforce development, engaging people in our community in recovery. 

What does that look like? And what have we accomplished in our first 16-months since launching the Program?

Keep reading for a sum-up - season-by-season - of our accomplishments to-date, what’s in store for the year to come, and how YOU can get involved!

Remember to keep your cars, snowmobiles, four wheelers, reindeer sleighs, and other vehicles in good repair. Check your vehicles for any leaks and take care not to spill antifreeze or oil if you maintain your vehicles yourself.

When it rains, spills in our driveways get washed down our storm drains, which flow into the Truckee River. By taking care of our holiday transportation, we can help keep the Truckee River flowing clear and clean.

One Truckee River has earned the 100% Giving Board Award from the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada. Each year, the Community Foundation’s 100% Giving Board Award recognizes Northern Nevada nonprofits where all Board Members financially support their organization’s work in the region.

At One Truckee River, we’re grateful for the support of the Board and their commitment to our mission.

Can you join our Board in working together to ensure a healthy, thriving, and sustainable river connected to the hearts and minds of its community? Click the button below to learn more about how you can make a difference.

Saturday, January 10th, 10am-12pm

What’s that duck that looks like it has spiky red hair? Who is that big bird perching stock-still on a rock with its wings spread out? What’s that tiny duck that just dove beneath the surface of the water?

To some birders, winter is “Weird Duck Season.” As our walk leader Jaida tells us, it's when atypical-looking ducks such as hooded mergansers, buffleheads, and golden eyes stop in Northern Nevada during their yearly migration. With less foliage around in winter, our avian neighbors are more visible, making it a great season to spot double-crested cormorants, red-tailed hawks, and more. Come join us to see these distinct, eye-catching winter birds and observe some of their unusual behaviors!

Get to know your community while learning about the birds and wildlife that call our neighborhood parks home – and why they matter. On January 10th, One Truckee River and Northwest Nevada Bird Alliance members will lead us along the Truckee River in Fisherman's Park #1, helping us spot and identify the birds and other animals that depend on our watershed.

Free coffee and hot chocolate will be provided.

One Truckee River is proud to announce the addition of our newest Board of Directors member: Jeremy M. Smith, Director of the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency. Jeremy shares, “The Truckee River makes the Reno/Sparks region possible by providing a sustainable water resource for our thriving population. The river also offers so many great opportunities for recreation and outstanding scenic beauty. I’m so excited to join the One Truckee River Board and look forward to working with other Board Members and OTR Partners to ensure we promote, manage, and safeguard this precious resource for generations to come!”

Jeremy M. Smith started with the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency in 2011. He holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Colorado and achieved his master’s and bachelor’s degrees at the University of Nevada, Reno. Jeremy has worked extensively with geographic information systems in both the public and private sector. Along with fulfilling the regulatory capacity of TMRPA, the Agency’s current work objectively tracks and reports on growth and land use decision-making as it relates to master planning, housing, natural resources, and public infrastructure. Jeremy also plays bass in a local band.

One Truckee River is excited to welcome the Northwest Nevada Bird Alliance (NNBA) to our Partnership Council. Diane Wong-Kone, NNBA Executive Director, tells us “The Northwest Nevada Bird Alliance is honored to join One Truckee River’s Partnership Council. The Truckee River is a vital link that provides important habitat for birds and people, especially in an arid landscape. It’s important for all of us to work together to keep our river healthy.”

The Northwest Nevada Bird Alliance, formerly the Lahontan Audubon Society, is a nonprofit focused on educating the public about native Nevada birds and conserving the remaining bird habitat in northwestern Nevada. Their goal is to create a welcoming birding community where people of all backgrounds can feel a sense of belonging. The Truckee River is a critical habitat for so many different types of birds.

One Truckee River’s mission is to work towards a healthier, thriving, and sustainable river connected to the heart and minds of its community.

At One Truckee River, we only email sporadically. To stay up to date on the latest news along the gem of our region, the Truckee River, give us a follow on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.