Forest Health Community Working Group

The Forest Health Community Working Group works to create fire-safe communities and restore our forests and watersheds to a healthy and resilient state. We engage community members and local groups to provide educational opportunities and civil discourse so that we can make progress on living amidst a more resilient forest.

STAKEHOLDER ASSESSMENT

Upcoming Community Meeting Information: Stakeholder Assessment Meeting Flyer

Read the final draft of the stakeholder assessment HERE

Wednesday, March 18, 5:30-7:30pm; Turtle Rock Community Center, 17300 State Route 89, Markleeville, CA 96120

Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86522468657?pwd=UDH7Y1VyVf09SsQkP3bn5toX22gUm2.1

Alpine County Community Members,

We invite you to participate in an upcoming workshop focused on the future of forest health and natural resource collaboration in the Alpine County community. Your voice is essential in shaping a path forward that reflects the values and priorities of Alpine County. We hope you will join us in this important conversation and help ensure the final report reflects the collective insight of our community.

Point of Contact: Clint Celio, ccelio@alpinecountyca.gov

Additional information about the stakeholder assessment:

Alpine County contracted the Sierra Institute for Community and Environment to perform a stakeholder analysis. This analysis was conducted in collaboration with the Forest Health Community Working Group (FHCWG) and covered the footprint of the FHCWG, which aligns with Alpine County's boundaries. The purpose is to better understand social concerns, values, perspectives, and dynamics as they relate to forest health and management in the FHCWG region. The report is based on interviews conducted to capture diverse perspectives, including stakeholder interests, concerns, viewpoints, and how these influence and are affected by land management project activities. The resulting report is intended to inform the FHCWG’s current and future work and residents who are invested in the area’s future. The Sierra Institute concludes the report with strategies for meaningful, long-term stakeholder collaboration with the natural resources of Alpine County.

Key Objectives of the Stakeholder Assessment were to:

Identify diverse stakeholder groups and individuals to be involved in the project.
Include the Washoe Tribe and identify important social, cultural, and land management issues.
Improve understanding of diverse stakeholder perspectives in the footprint of the FHCWG.
Identify and improve understanding of social conditions, values, and perspectives as it relates to forest health and management in Alpine County.
Develop a report that informs and helps advance communication, outreach, education, and restoration activities that address biophysical conditions and social values.
Identify pathways for the FHCWG to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders and be successful.

About Sierra Institute:

Sierra Institute works alongside rural and tribal communities to support locally-driven efforts in land stewardship, community well-being, and economic opportunity. While challenges like wildfire risk and economic instability can be daunting, they also present opportunities for communities to come together and shape local solutions. With resilience and collaboration, positive change is possible. Rooted in partnerships for over 30 years, Sierra Institute has helped communities across the Pacific West and beyond navigate these challenges by strengthening relationships; connecting people, resources, and agencies; and working with stakeholders to develop productive and visionary solutions.

2026 Upcoming Events

April - Volunteer Arbor Day Tree Planting, flyer here

Friday, April 24, 10am-lunch time. Come plant with us at the Indian Creek Day Use Area!

2025 RECAP

October — Volunteer Tree Planting near Indian Creek Day Use Area

Thank you to everyone who came out to plant Jeffrey pine seedlings that were donated by the Sugar Pine Foundation and pinyon pine seedlings that were donated by the Washoe Environmental Protection Department. It was a wonderful time, the weather was beautiful, and we planted ~500 seedlings composed of three different species of pine trees: Jeffrey, pinyon, and sugar. We look forward to seeing you at future tree planting events!

August — West Fork Carson River Fuels Reduction and Aspen Monitoring Project Tour

On Monday, August 18, members of the public and local stakeholders joined Alpine Watershed Group, National Forest Foundation, and US Forest Service staff for a tour in Hope Valley. There was a great discussion and presentation of fuels reduction work that was completed to enhance aspen stands and restore meadows. This event was in partnership with the Forest Health Community Working Group.

Projects in this area are funded by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife through their Watershed Restoration Grant Program or by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy through their Immediate Action Wildfire and Forest Resilience Program.

May — What's that Plant, and How do I Get Rid of it? Tips for reducing fire risk on your land

On May 31, members of the Forest Health Community Working Group, Alpine Trails Association, and Sierra Speakers Series conducted a small workshop to help attendees understand some of the native and fire-resistant plants to use in landscaping and how to remove plants that have a high fire risk. David Board with the USFS provided an overview of different plant species, both high and low fire risk, and Andy Lovell demonstrated how to remove certain species to create defensible space.

Below is a list of materials presented at the meeting.

Backyard Native Plants from UNR

Shrub removal tips

Shrubs of Alpine County

April — Volunteer Tree Planting at Curtz Lake

The Forest Health Community Working Group partners conducted a successful Arbor Day celebration and tree planting at Curtz Lake on April 25, 2025. The Arbor Day event promoted forest health and community engagement by planting trees in the scenic surroundings of Curtz Lake. With the help of 121 volunteers, we were able to plant ~925 trees. This grand total comprises 760 Jeffrey pine seedlings provided by the Sugar Pine Foundation and 25 pinyon pine seedlings as well as 200 germinated pinyon pine seeds provided by the Washoe Environmental Protection Department. Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to contribute to the restoration and beautification of our local environment while enjoying a day outdoors with friends and neighbors.

March – Firewise Community Meetings

On March 15 and March 22 the Forest Health Community Working Group in concert with the Alpine Fire Safe Council and the eastern Alpine County Firewise communities hosted community meetings at the Turtle Rock Park Community Center and the Woodfords Fire Station in an effort to promote Firewise communities and share their experiences and accomplishments. The meetings were well attended and there was discussion about forming an additional Firewise community in the Woodfords area.

Check out these slideshows from the AEU CALFIRE prevention unit, the Markleevillage / Carson Ridge Firewise community, and the Mesa Vista Firewise community. We would like to extend a big thank you to these partners who were instrumental in making this a very informative and worthwhile event.

CALFIRE Presentation on FIREWISE

Markleevillage / Carson Ridge Presentation

Mesa Vista Presentation

2024 RECAP

October — Volunteer Tree Planting at Pleasant Valley

Thank you to everyone that came out on October 26 and helped us reforest the Tamarack Fire burn scar. In just an hour and a half, 35 volunteers planted 320 Jeffrey pine seedlings (provided by the Sugar Pine Foundation) on US Forest Service land adjacent to Pleasant Valley Road. We appreciate the community support of our forest health efforts and look forward to more events like this in the future.

July — Alpine County Prescribed Fire Workshop

This workshop allowed attendees to ride on a bus together and enjoy a good lunch while learning about collaboration and prescribed fire in Alpine County. We want to thank the presenters and facilitators for this great workshop featuring field trips to various sites in Markleeville and Woodfords and a wonderful discussion about prescribed fire.

June — Tamarack Fire Presentation by Ali Paulson

We want to thank Ali Paulson who shared her research in a very informative discussion on recovery and regeneration on USFS lands post-Tamarack Fire. Ali and her crew have spent time in the field gathering data on how the recovery and regeneration is going and shared their insights on burn severity, restoration priority, seedling monitoring, and long-term monitoring strategies. Thank you, Ali! You can download her presentation here.

April — Volunteer Tree Planting at Curtz Lake

Thank you to the 115 volunteers who came out to Curtz Lake on Arbor Day, April 26, to help reforest part of the Tamarack Fire burn scar on BLM land. These dedicated volunteers planted a total of 500 Jeffrey pine seedlings (provided by the Sugar Pine Foundation) along the west shore of Curtz Lake despite the wind and snow that unexpectedly passed through the area during the event.

2023 RECAP

The Forest Health Community Working Group had a successful first year. We greatly appreciated the support and involvement of the Alpine County community in our events. Some highlights included Diamond Valley School students planting trees with us at Arbor Day and the resounding participation of the community at each of our field trips and hosted presentations.