Berry Creek Rancheria Wildfire and Resilience Project, Berry Creek Cemetery Unit

The project area is a culturally significant site donated to the Tribe within the last several years. The site is mostly level, located at about 2100-2150 feet above sea level, and situated on a saddle from which two small spring-fed drainages issue (one to the south of the southern parcel, one toward the northeast of the northern parcel). Like much of Berry Creek, the site experienced 90-100% mortality during the 2020 North Complex Fire emergency. Since then, dense post-fire vegetation regrowth in the watercourse areas, along with ladder fuels and invasive species, have increased wildfire risk. At the same time, a large open grassland area provides opportunities to reduce invasive species, revegetate with native and culturally significant species, and practice cultural burning. The project consists of 1) light fuels management (weeding and mowing) to manage fine fuels, reduce wildfire risk while minimizing ground disturbance, maintain accessibility and protect cultural resources; 2) ecological restoration including seed collection by Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) crews, followed by seeding and planting during the fall to enhance meadow and understory health; and 3) A low-intensity meadow burn in the fall.