Dear Truckee River Supporter,

The Truckee River is our community’s greatest asset – it’s the source of our drinking water, provides essential wildlife habitat, and is central to outdoor recreation and public gatherings throughout our region. In this month’s newsletter, explore how our community partners are improving our watershed by implementing goat-grazing weed mitigation and installing public art along the Truckee River path.

Then, explore how you can make a difference in our community! Attend a One Truckee River event, learn about increasing pollinator habitat in your yard, and take the TMPRA Data Center Survey.

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the Hawk, Stallion, Bug, and Fred Mountain fires. We’re grateful for the ongoing efforts of the firefighters, government agencies, and community organizations working together to protect our community.

Here’s what’s inside August’s newsletter:

1. One Truckee River Events – Join Us!

2. Is Spark’s Weed & Fire Mitigation the GOAT?

3. Enjoying the Bicentennial Park Sculpture Garden: A Collaborative Project

4. Data Centers: Take the TMPRA Survey

5.In the News: Community, Cottonwoods, and Reshaping the Truckee River

6. Five Tips to Increase Pollinator Habitat in Your Yard

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. Don’t forget to sign up to reserve your spot for these events and volunteer opportunities.

State of the Riverbank Walks

Saturday, August 29th – Idlewild Park

Saturday, September 19th – Broadhead Park

Saturday, November 14th – Wingfield Park

Observe and document the state of the Truckee River on a walk with OTR’s Executive Director, while learning about regional coordinated vegetation management efforts.

Truckee River Cleanup

Sunday, September 26th – Brodhead Park

Volunteer planting trees and other native plants, in partnership with KTMB’s Truckee River Clean-up Day.

Bird & Bug Blitz

Sunday, September 27th – Lake Park

Explore Lake Park with the Northern Nevada Bird Alliance! Together, let’s discover the wildlife that can be found right in our backyards – including common birds, creepy crawly bugs, butterflies, and more.

Nevada River Talk: Protecting the Truckee River

Thursday, October 22th – 2601 Plumas Street

Tuesday November 17th – 2601 Plumas Street

Join us for a lunch-and-learn! Because the Truckee River is our community’s greatest asset, we’re discussing the river’s needs for protection – and the work going on to care for it.

River Ecology Walk & Seed Spreading

Details & Sign Up Coming Soon. October 25th & November 7th

Reaching for the Trees w/Matt Basile

Details & Sign Up Coming Soon. October 27th

Have you spotted the City of Sparks’s newest work crew? In early May, Sparks launched its goat grazing pilot program to mitigate fire risk and remove weeds along the Truckee River, in drainage ditches, and other city properties. These 425 goats are hard workers, never show up late, and enjoy keeping their heads down until the job is done. They chew weeds for about 15 hours per day, serving as a chemical-free and mechanical-free alternative to traditional methods.

How did this program come about? What does it take to manage a team of goats? And – what’s next for goat grazing in our area? We sat down to speak with Nancy O’Connor, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Sparks, to learn more about how our public lands are managed.

You might not recognize Bicentennial Park by name along the Truckee River in downtown Reno, but you’ve probably visited. It’s home to Reno’s only public sculpture garden, located along the Truckee River at the western edge of downtown. With seven art installations, a colorful garden, and space to walk along and enjoy the Truckee River, it’s a park we’ve always appreciated! 

Check out our blog to hear from Marlene Olsen from the Rotary Club of Reno and Megan Berner from the City of Reno Arts and Culture Commission and learn more about how this sculpture garden came to be – and why places like this benefit our community.

Do you feel strongly about data center construction in Northern Nevada? The Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency has launched a Data Center Engagement effort to better understand the opportunities, impacts, and community perspectives surrounding data center development in our region. 

Did you catch us on the radio? KUNR discussed the significance of Cottonwoods, the challenges they’re facing, and restoration efforts in Oxbow Nature Study Area, McCarran Ranch Preserve, and Brodhead Park.

After attending our July tree planting day, KUNR shared “Cottonwood trees are a keystone species — the glue that holds together an ecosystem. Their dancing branches and heart shaped leaves provide shelter for birds, food for insects, and escape from the summer heat. Without them, the Truckee River would look very different.”

Tara Tran, program and technical support lead with the One Truckee River Workforce Program, talks about how downtown once thrived with lush cottonwood forests. Then, decades of diverting water for irrigation and a growing population, reshaped the river. Economic development and straightening the river affected how it flows and floods today, presenting challenges for cottonwoods and other native species.

Looking to support pollinators – while beautifying your yard and saving water? Check out our quick guide to learn how you can plant for wildlife, including a list of our favorite local plants to attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. We also share how limiting light pollution, shrinking lawns, and reducing chemical pesticides and fertilizers can have big benefits for these all-important keystone species.