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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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| Help Plant Trees
9:45 a.m. Gather to Carpool – Meet at Turtle Rock Park
10:00 a.m. Tree Planting – Curtz Lake Trailhead
12:00 p.m. Lunch – Turtle Rock Park Community Center
For more information:
(530) 694-2327
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2024 River Monitor TrainingAre you or someone you know interested in learning how we test our waterways to track water quality? AWG is looking for community scientists interested in volunteering in the Carson River watershed. Learn how to use scientific equipment in the field and collect water quality samples, all while being outside along the Carson River. Join AWG staff on Saturday, May 18 and learn how to take part in AWG’s longest-running volunteer program.
New and returning volunteers are encouraged to join to refresh skills. Contact Headwaters Coordinator Rachel Kieffer, awg.rachel@gmail.com or (530) 694-2327 with any questions or to learn more about the river monitor program. FLYER
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| A Standing Ovation for Forester Annabelle Monti
We have been so fortunate to have Annabelle Monti's help with forestry and outreach work in our community for the last 15 years. As the Vegetation Management Officer for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Annabelle consistently went above and beyond the call of duty sharing her expertise, advocating for Alpine County, and being present and involved in our community. We are grateful for all of the effort Annabelle put into fuels management projects prior to the Tamarack Fire—they made a difference. Words aren’t adequate to express our gratitude for all Annabelle has done to help with post-fire restoration. She has also been integral in establishing the Forest Health Community Working Group. On behalf of our entire watershed community, thank you, Annabelle. We wish you all the best in your endeavors as you move on from the Forest Service.
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West Fork Carson River Prioritization Project
This spring AWG will hire a consultant to complete a geomorphological assessment and sediment transport model for the West Fork Carson River and its tributaries in California to identify areas of high sediment input and areas for potential restoration projects. AWG released a stream corridor assessment for the Upper Carson River watershed in 2004, and American Rivers led an effort to prioritize meadows needing help in the Carson River watershed in 2018. This project will build from past data to identify problem areas and prioritize projects. This project is funded under Section 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act through the California State Water Resources Control Board’s Nonpoint Source Grant Program, with Carson Water Subconservancy District (CWSD) generously providing the match for the grant. With CWSD, we hope to eventually have the entire Carson River watershed assessed to provide a complete view and to direct efforts strategically to restore and protect the landscape.
All mapping and fieldwork will occur during the 2024 field season, and final reports will be completed by March 2025. AWG will host a meeting in early 2025 to present the findings and discuss next steps for prioritized projects.
If you have questions regarding the project, contact Headwaters Coordinator Rachel Kieffer at awg.rachel@gmail.com or (530) 694-2327.
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|  | The rarer seed sits up high at Comstock Seed, impossible for mice to reach.
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| Climate Corner
Collecting Knowledge: Exploring Local Seed with Ed Kleiner
By Kaitlyn Garber, Wildfire Restoration and Forest Resiliency Fellow
Ed Kleiner stood in front of a large picture of a milkweed plant, an orange monarch butterfly perched on it. He was speaking to a gathering of folks at the annual Carson Water Subconservancy District Forum on March 6. Planting for wildlife was not only possible, he encouraged, but enjoyable as well. A few weeks ago myself and Wildfire Restoration and Forest Resiliency Fellow Bella Kurtz reached out to Ed, inspired by his talk, and went for a visit to his property, Comstock Seed. We wanted to learn more about what he is currently working on, and to hear his expertise about the coexistence between agriculture and wildlife. Read the entire article here.
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| All Things Watersheds
- Turtle Rock Park opened this past Saturday, April 20 for residents to drop off woody debris and cut vegetation for the burn pile. Depending on weather conditions, residents can continue to drop off materials until May 26. See the flyer for more information and dates and times that residents can drop off materials.
- The Community Chipping Program is back in 2024! If you are unable to bring your woody debris and vegetation to TRP for dropoff, you can request to have it chipped from your curb. Please see the Community Chipping Program flyer for information on how to request services.
- The US Forest Service will be completing aerial seeding within the Tamarack Fire footprint on Forest Service lands beginning April 22. Focus will be on USFS land west of Turtle Rock Park, the ridge above Millberry Creek, along Pleasant Valley Road, Poor Boy Ridge, Little Cottonwood Canyon, and Big Springs area. There are approximately 4,000 acres of land that the USFS hopes to seed in a week’s time. If you have questions or concerns, reach out to USFS Sierra Zone Botanist Tim Kellison at timothy.kellison@usda.gov.
- Don’t forget about the upcoming events in our area that are celebrating Earth Day! While Earth Day in our region is celebrated on Monday, April 22, we want to celebrate all year long! How are you celebrating the earth?
- Sierra Nevada Alliance Wild & Scenic Film Festival – Monday, April 22, evening at Valhalla Tahoe (details and tickets)
- Arbor Day Tree Planting – Friday, April 26, 9:45 a.m. at Turtle Rock Park to carpool to Curtz Lake Trailhead (details)
- South Lake Tahoe Earth Day – Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Lake Tahoe Community College (details)
- Markleeville Teddy Bear Parade – Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Diamond Valley School (flyer)
- Washoe Earth Day – Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Carson Colony Gym (flyer)
- Bear Valley Teddy Bear Parade – Thursday, May 9, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Bear Valley Library
- Save the Date! – Wednesday, June 5, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Turtle Rock Park Community Center – USFS presentation on Tamarack Fire monitoring data by guest speaker Ali Paulson hosted by the Forest Health Community Working Group
- Register Today! – Carson Water Subconservancy District will be hosting their Get on the Bus Tour on June 11 and 12. Field trips will end by 5:00 p.m. each day. Click here to register. Keep an eye on their website for more information.
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Funding for Improving Ag Soil Health
The Central Sierra Healthy Soils Program has received funding to provide free technical assistance to farmers and ranchers in Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, and Tuolumne counties looking to improve soil health. If you are interested in participating, please fill out the Interest Form here. The grant solicitation period opened on April 2, and the application will be sent to individuals who submit an Interest Form. Please pass this opportunity on to others who might be interested!
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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. Thank you!
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AWG has earned a 2023 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.
Bella Kurtz, Wildfire Restoration and Forest Resiliency Fellow
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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