Dear Truckee River Supporter,

Have you made it to a One Truckee River event yet this year? As the weather cools, you’re just in time to catch our last few gatherings of the season! Check out our guided walks and talks, below. Then, hear more about our newest grant award, latest sponsor, and projects their support will provide to the river. 

Finally, share your perspectives in our annual Community Survey – and learn more about adding native plants to your yard this fall.

Here’s what’s inside October’s newsletter:

1. Idlewild Park: Conserve Nevada Grant Award & Project Update 

2. One Truckee River Events – Join Us!

3. WateringWinds Apartments: Sponsorship, Ribbon Cutting & Work Recap

4. What’s a Park District? Meeting on October 26th

5. Share Your Input: 2026 Community Survey, Enter to Win $100

6. Native Plants: What to Add to Your Yard This Fall

One Truckee River is proud to announce the award of grant funding from the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Conserve Nevada Program and the launch of the Idlewild Habitat and Riverbank Stabilization Project.

This $550,000 investment to the Truckee River will support outdoor recreation and conservation in Nevada. The project funding will protect critical natural resources, support our urban communities, and strengthen Nevada’s outdoor recreation economy. 

One Truckee River, in partnership with the City of Reno, will repair a degraded section of the Truckee River in one of Reno’s most popular parks: Idlewild. The work aims to protect water quality, decrease erosion, increase native vegetation for wildlife habitat, and improve the recreational experience of Nevadans along this section of the Truckee River. 

“Projects like this demonstrate how conservation investments can benefit both our natural resources and the communities that enjoy them,” said Brandon Bishop, Conserve Nevada Program Manager. “The Truckee River is an important part of Reno, contributing to the area's quality of life and providing valuable outdoor recreation opportunities. The Conserve Nevada Program is proud to support One Truckee River and the City of Reno in their ongoing efforts to protect and restore this valuable resource.”

The initial design of the project was funded by the Western Regional Water Commission’s Environmental Protection Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act. The project is part of the implementation of the One Truckee River Management Plan, unanimously adopted by the cities of Reno and Sparks and Washoe County in Sept 2016. 

Through our event series, it's easier than ever to get out and about on the Truckee in Nevada, while learning more about the river and getting to know your neighbors. Over the next month, our events will include a Tree Walk in Lake Park, a State of the Riverbank Walk in Wingfield Park, and Ecology Walks in both Brodhead and John Champion Parks.  Click the button below to learn more – and reserve your spot!

Last week, we joined WateringWinds Apartments for their grand opening celebration: featuring a ribbon cutting, apartment tours, breakfast, and sweet treats. We are so grateful to WateringWind Apartments for providing the One Truckee River Workforce Program with a sponsorship – allowing us to remove more invasive tree of heaven in Brodhead Park and continue planting native trees and plants along the Truckee River. This work is vital to the river’s protection of the river because wildlife depends on native trees to survive, and because these trees reduce erosion and fire risk while improving shade along the river for local residents to enjoy. 

Watering Winds Apartment is also supporting two upcoming One Truckee River events! Take a guided Ecology Walk with us on October 25th or November 7th. 

Here in Nevada, a governing body(s) can create and define the development of a district that is solely focused on Parks, Trails, Open Spaces, and Recreation. (Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Title 25, Chapter 318A) There are over 1,000 Park & Recreation Districts nation-wide, including districts in Bend, Oregon, Estes Valley, Colorado, and dozens throughout Washington State. They are known to provide funding sustainability for park facilities, trails, community activities, and maintenance, as well as preservation of open space as a metropolitan area grows. This case study looks at the social and cultural benefits of creating a Parks district, in Vermont’s Winooski Valley Park District (WVPD)

A Regional Park District is being discussed in Washoe County and a Service Plan feasibility study of a Park District in our region was recently completed.

Check Out the Resources Below to Learn More!

Share Your Thoughts!

Attend the October 26th Joint Commissions Meeting – which will include discussion of a possible regional Park District.

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 2026 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 of the best times of year to add a new tree or other native plants to your yard? You’ve guessed it – fall! Warm soil temperatures, cooler air, and the wet season ahead create conditions these plants will appreciate. Planting in fall gives plants time to grow robust root systems in preparation for months with more extreme temperatures.

Native trees and other native plants protect the Truckee River Watershed by providing shade, reducing air pollution, and creating key wildlife habitats. They’re also natural filters, decreasing runoff – the water that flows into our stormdrains and eventually our river – bringing fertilizers and pesticides along with them. Many of our Northern Nevada native plants use less water, do well in our hot summers, and are easier to care for than traditional landscaping picks.

Ready to Learn More?