Dear Truckee River Supporter,

We’re excited to announce: we’ve received funding for Phase II of our restoration work in the burn areas along the Truckee River, left behind by the Gold Ranch Fire in 2024! Alongside our partners, we’re stabilizing slopes, planting native species, and gearing up to continue our efforts – protecting water quality for our communities downstream.

On a more personal level, if you’re looking to take individual actions to protect the Truckee River’s water quality and our local environment, consider our top tips for prepping your yard for winter, with sustainable maintenance in mind. Then, check out our upcoming events and recent media coverage. Finally, for a chance to win $100, complete our 2025 Community Survey to help us track how Northern Nevadans like you are already enjoying the Truckee River, and where you’d like to see improvements.

Here’s what’s inside November’s newsletter:

1. After The Fire: Restoring Vegetation in the Gold Ranch Burn Area

2. Prep Your Yard for Winter: The River-Friendly Way

3. Upcoming Event: January 10th Tree Planting

4. One Truckee River in the News

5. Fall Events Recap

6. Take Our 2025 Community Survey: Your Chance to Win $100!

In the aftermath of the 2024 Gold Ranch Fire, One Truckee River has been working alongside our partners to restore and stabilize the burn areas along the Truckee River – reducing the risk of erosion and sedimentation. Today, we’re excited to announce the extension of this project, with funding approved for Phase II! With much appreciation to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, and a private landowner’s matching contributions, we’ll have the resources needed to continue and expand our restoration work.

In August 2024, the Gold Ranch Fire burned for over a mile along both banks of the Truckee River, consuming about 650 acres of steep, adjacent forest and scrub lands. So, to prevent runoff, erosion, and impacts to downstream water quality, One Truckee River has been working alongside our partners to restore and stabilize the burn areas along the Truckee River. 

Curious what happens after a fire?

Is your yard ready for winter? Here in Northern Nevada, it can feel like there’s a lot to think about in taking care of our homes and yards. This season, we invite you to prep for the cold season with the Truckee River in mind. From pest prevention to tree planting, adding natives to our gardens to protecting our homes from fire, this is the perfect time of year to take a closer look at your yard. While some of our River-Friendly winterization tips might already be in your repertoire, a couple might feel like brand new ways to care for your property, protect our local environment, and prepare for the months ahead.

Keep reading for our 4 top tips for making your yard River-Friendly this season

Saturday, October 25, 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? Explore Fisherman’s Park #1 at our upcoming events and see if you can spot mergansers, double-crested cormorants, buffleheads, red-tailed hawks, and more!

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

Volunteers beautified Lake Park at our October 25th Day of Service, organized by One Truckee River, the City of Reno, Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful, and Friends of Lake Park.

2News Nevada covers the Truckee River Urban Tree Workforce Program, where OTR in partnership with the City of Reno and RISE is training people facing employment barriers in tree care, urban forestry, and biodiversity restoration. Together, we’re creating sustainable jobs while revitalizing the ecosystem along a key stretch of the city’s river corridor.

The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony (RISC) donated $10,000 to One Truckee River. The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Michon R. Eben shares “In our traditional values, the Truckee River is one of the most significant cultural resources of the Truckee Meadows. Without our great body of water, we would be nothing, when every citizen learns to respect this great flowing entity of water; it will continue to replenish us.”

Spending time with community along the Truckee River is one of our favorite ways to protect it. Thank you to everyone who made it out this fall for our volunteer days and educational walks! Together, we’ve been planting trees, learning about native plants, and identifying local wildlife.  

This season, One Truckee River hosted 5 community events – and have already begun planning an even bigger event series for the warmer months ahead in 2026. (Plus, a special winter Bird & Wildlife Walk on January 10th!) 

Event planning is new for One Truckee River, as you’ve mostly been hearing from us online. If you haven’t joined us for an in-person event just yet – we hope to meet you (or reconnect with you) in the months to come. Keep an eye on our events page for the latest details.

How did our fall events go? Here’s a sum-up how we gathered together this season:

How have you been enjoying the Truckee River? Where do you spend most of your time? And, how would you like to see our river improved? Complete our 2025 Annual Survey to let us know! It should take about 5-10 minutes.

Since 2021, One Truckee River has conducted region-wide surveys to gain input from Truckee Meadows residents like you. We’re using our annual survey input to help evaluate the effectiveness of the One Truckee River Management Plan, as well as to gain general community insight. 

In appreciation for your time, we’ll be selecting one survey participant to win $100 through a free drawing. The winner will be selected in December.

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.