Sierra Foothill Forest Climate Resilience

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy has issued Amendment No. 1 to grant #1728-RFFCP, a Tribal Capacity Building Subgrant awarded to the California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project (CHIRP). This amendment augments the grant to provide additional funds for the planning and procurement of a mini excavator with a mastication head, as well as specialized training on its use. These activities are conducted in coordination with the Sierra Streams Institute to implement vegetation treatments for habitat restoration at the Kocim Pakan (Nevada City School of the Arts) property. The scope of work includes thinning, reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires, and controlling nonnative invasive plant species, specifically Scotch broom. The project is located in Nevada City, California, with general outreach and planning activities extending into Nevada, Yuba, and Sierra Counties. It is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 21080.56(a) for restoration projects, supported by Concurrence Determination No. 21080.56-2023-034-R2 from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The primary objective of the work is to conserve, restore, and protect native fish and wildlife habitats, ensuring long-term net benefits for biodiversity, sensitive species recovery, and climate resiliency. Administrative oversight is provided by Mary Akens of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.