Alpine Watershed Group protects, conserves, and restores the watersheds of Alpine County by promoting sustainable community and science-based collaborative solutions.
We are so proud of all that we have accomplished thanks to our volunteers, supporters, and partners. The start of construction of the Markleeville Creek Floodplain Restoration Project is a stunning example of what a grassroots movement can do through persistence. We hope you enjoy reading our 2025 Recap.
Please consider making a year-end donation to help AWG with our 2026 goals. With your support, we will lead more invasive weed pulls and trash pickups, continue monitoring programs to assess seedling survivability in burned areas and collect water quality data, and start tackling prioritized projects in the upper West Fork Carson River watershed—see the flyer for the January 20 community meeting below and please mark your calendar.
Thank you to all who have already made a year-end gift to Alpine Watershed Group!
Alpine Watershed Group's board and staff are sad and concerned to learn that our long-time partner Friends of Hope Valley is closing down (see their December 9 Facebook post here). Over the years, AWG has been able to work on restoration projects in Hope Valley because Friends of Hope Valley saved this special place from development. A huge THANK YOU to all of the Friends of Hope Valley for long and effective service to the protection and management of Alpine County’s vital watersheds and environment.
AWG is grateful beyond words to Friends of Hope Valley for their recent extremely generous donation. For months AWG has been seeking the required 25% matching funds so we can accept a State Water Resources Control Board Nonpoint Source Grant for the East Fork Carson River Prioritization Project. Like the current West Fork Carson River Prioritization Project, the goal of this planning project is to identify and prioritize projects that will improve water quality, fish habitat, meadow health, and stream function. It would provide a blueprint for future implementation work in the Upper East Fork Carson River watershed for AWG and our partners. AWG plans to use this gift toward the required match. Thank you, Friends of Hope Valley, for supporting AWG's efforts!
With site leader Judy Wickwire's guidance, volunteers planted willow stakes in Hope Valley on Creek Day 2019. Photo by Judy Wickwire.
AWG's Second Year of iNaturalist Contributions By Headwaters Coordinator Bella Kurtz
Out of the 167 observations that AWG contributed to iNaturalist this year, 48 of them are research grade—34 of these research grade observations have been added to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) website and four of them were imported to Calflora’s website. Please refer to the full article published in last year’s December newsletter for more information on how AWG utilizes iNaturalist and to learn how you can become involved.
Bountiful Blooms and Views
By Headwaters Coordinator Bella Kurtz
I look forward to continuing the Bountiful Blooms and Views section in our 2026 newsletters! I hope to find and photograph new-to-me species in 2026 to share with you all. These photos are of Leichtlin’s Mariposa lily (Calochortus leichtlinii), and this prolific bloom of them near Turtle Rock Park from early June is one of my favorite observations from 2025.
Upcoming AWG Events
Tuesday, January 20, 5:30 p.m. at Turtle Rock Park Community Center – West Fork Carson Prioritization Project Community Meeting
Wednesday, February 25, 5:00 p.m. at Markleeville Library – AWG Board Meeting
We are grateful for the financial support of all who love Alpine County. We are able to lead volunteer workdays and support community science data collection because of your generosity. Thank you for elevating your gifts this giving season!
AWG has earned a 2025 Gold Seal of Transparency with Candid! Check out our Nonprofit Profilehere.
Ways to Connect or Help
We 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.
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.
Until next time!
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