by Lisa Wallace, Executive Director
As we continue to follow the official guidance for COVID-19, we at the Truckee River Watershed Council hope that you, your team members, and your loved ones are healthy and safe. We live and work in eastern Sierra, Nevada, and Placer Counties and we see the impact of the COVID-19 throughout the community.
The situation is changing and will continue to impact all of us in evolving ways. Yet, we take comfort in knowing that we have incredible people like you in the world who are compassionate, resilient, and consistently help others.
We are able to continue to focus on our work (more on this below) – we recognize this is a privilege and are incredibly grateful to everyone who is working to make it possible for the community to be safe while implementing social distancing and remote working.
On this point, do you have 5 minutes? Can you send a thank you email to one of these utilities thanking the staff for holding steady and providing essential services?
Northstar Community Services District – customerservice@northstarcsd.org
Tahoe City Public Utility District – info@tcpud.org
Truckee Donner Public Utility District – service@tdpud.org
Or maybe this list inspires you to send a thank you to medical providers, first responders, school districts, technical support staff, grocery store employees, police and sheriff departments, public works departments, chambers of commerce, and others. If so, please send a thank you note.
Now, for a bit of good news on increasing the resiliency and health of our natural environment. We recently received the go-ahead to implement large-scale forest, wetland, and meadow restoration projects in 2020 and 2021. This means we will:
- treat 400 acres of forest
- restore 350 acres of meadow
- restore 11 acres of wetlands
These projects will buffer the impacts of flooding, drought, and fire, while improving water quality and habitat for wildlife, fish, and birds – still vitally important as we move through and beyond these uncertain times. We know you love and value these places and we are committed to continuing to restore, preserve, and protect them. Next week and the week after, we will let you know the steps we’re taking so this work will happen in 2020 and 2021.
Everyone reading this note is deeply connected to this community and values the beauty of nature, fresh air, clean water, and being outdoors. The power in our community is our resilience and we will find ways to protect what we love, so nature and humanity can thrive together.
We are more dedicated than ever to find ways to revive the resiliency of our natural resources while supporting the vibrancy of our local community.
We will continue to send e-newsletters and social media posts with information and photos that can connect you to our work and to each other.
Please take care of yourselves during this time. Thank you for your commitment to our work – together we are FORIVER,
Lisa – on behalf of our board and staff
It takes a dedicated team to do what we do. Thank you to our partners who are vital to implementing the projects we listed above.
Restoring meadows. Reviving forests. Saving habitats. Thank you to the donors of the Truckee River Watershed Council and our funders who make this work possible.