January 2023 Newsletter

Alpine Watershed Group protects, conserves, and restores the watersheds of Alpine County by promoting sustainable community and science-based collaborative solutions.

January Group Meeting

Please join us for the first AWG meeting of 2023!
When: Tuesday, January 17, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom Only*

We will have presentations by the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board on their post-fire monitoring and by AWG Watershed Coordinator Rachel Kieffer on AWG's community-science water quality monitoring program.

Flyer

*Due to recent and incoming storms as well as road conditions, the meeting will be over Zoom only. We had hoped to celebrate AWG's fantastic volunteers in person with goodies, but we will plan for that in late spring or summer.

Updates on the AWG Board of Directors

At the December AWG Board of Directors Meeting, Chair Rich Harvey passed the torch to Director Carl Ruschmeyer. Rich agreed to serve as Chair back in 2017, when John Barr moved on from AWG’s Board. Rich shepherded AWG through the executive director and watershed coordinator transitions in 2018, the pandemic, and the first year after the Tamarack Fire. As anyone living in Alpine County knows, Rich leads by example—he is one of those community members who is VERY involved locally. We are grateful that Rich will continue to serve on AWG’s Board and is helping Carl transition into his new role. Carl joined AWG’s Board one year ago, bringing broad hands-on experience with AWG’s programs and projects: He has now been a River Monitor for five years, extending those skills to harmful algal bloom monitoring for the last two years, while regularly helping at community workdays and serving on AWG’s Restoration and Monitoring Committee. His skills as a professional environmental engineer and public works administrator are a great asset to AWG; as a retiree, he also brings flexibility and availability to this leadership role.

We regret to share that Director Christine Aralia decided to not re-up for another two-year board term. Christine joined AWG’s Board in October 2020. Her background in natural resource planning and environmental systems, and her experience with restoration at Save the Redwoods League and California Tahoe Conservancy, filled much-needed areas of expertise on AWG’s Board. While AWG Board Members tend to serve for many terms, as long-time Board Member Zach Wood pointed out, there is incredible value gained from short-term Board Members. In Christine’s case, her years of experience at a nonprofit helped AWG to continue its growth as a professional organization, including her role in organizing AWG’s Board and Staff Retreat last fall. Thank you, Christine, for making space in your life to step up to an AWG leadership role for the last two years!

You can view bios of all AWG board members here, and you can read the AWG Bylaws here. Thank you to all of our current board members for being watershed community leaders!

All Things Watersheds

Carson Water Subconservancy District's latest Watershed Connections newsletter is chock-full of interesting watershed news—from snowpack and past flooding to inspiring ways to be a better watershed steward. Click here to read the fantastic Winter 2022/2023 issue.

Our small nonprofit organization depends on donations to help support our water quality monitoring and restoration programs.

Thank you to everyone who made a year-end gift to AWG!

DONATE

We’re excited to share that AWG has earned a 2022 Gold Seal of Transparency with Candid! You can support our work with trust and confidence by viewing our Nonprofit Profile here: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/83-0411414

One More Way to Support AWG

Do you shop on Amazon? Have you designated Alpine Watershed Group as your charitable organization to support? Please visit smile.amazon.com now to get .5% of eligible purchases donated to AWG. Remember to go to AmazonSmile each time you check out!

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.

Kimra McAfee, Executive Director
Rachel Kieffer, Watershed Coordinator

Contact Us!

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Until next time!

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PO Box 296 │ 50 Diamond Valley Road
Markleeville, CA | 96120 United States

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