Sierra Resource
Spotlight
Articles
Climate Change
https://www.hcn.org/articles/just-another-hot-year-for-the-record-books-not-quite
Just another hot year for the record books? Not quite.
High Country News, Alex Carr Johnson, 1/13/15
Sierra Link: 2014 was the warmest year on record for much of the west, including California. What’s weird are the radically different temperatures throughout the lower 48.
Forestry
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/environment/article7692596.html
Water stress takes toll on California's large trees, study says
The Sacramento Bee, Taylor Goldenstein, 1/20/15
Sierra Link: The decline of large tree densities--as much as 50% in the Sierra—is due to drought, fire suppression and changes in land use around the state. Smaller trees are more susceptible to swift-moving fires. Large trees are important for storing carbon and providing food and habitat within the forest but are vulnerable to drought and water stress.
https://www.hcn.org/articles/an-atmosphere-gone-bananas-and-2011s-megafires
When the atmosphere 'goes bananas,' wildfires do too
High Country News, Cally Carswell, 1/26/15
Sierra Link: As the world heats up extreme vapor pressure deficits are becoming the norm. Higher vapor pressure deficits result in more dead trees and is the best predictor among all other climate variables for areas burned in wildfires. What does this mean for the warming Sierra?
Recreation
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/sports/skiing/as-snow-fades-california-ski-resorts-face-a-brown-future.html?_r=0
As Snow Fades, California Ski Resorts Are Left High and Very Dry
NY Times, John Branch, 11/23/14
Sierra Link: With California resorts agreeing that less snowpack and warmer temperatures are becoming a trend at the resorts, what will the future of snow and skiing in the Sierra look like?
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/nativeson/article/A-hotel-bridge-by-any-other-name-would-smell-6007165.php
A (hotel, bridge) by any other name would smell as sweet
SF Gate, Carl Nolte, 1/11/15
Sierra Link: An update to an article we posted in the January 14, 2015 issue of the Sierra Resource about Yosemite fighting for the right to iconic names within the park.
http://www.redding.com/getout/2-tahoe-hikers-try-to-finish-pacific-crest-trail-in-winter_80672376
2 NorCal hikers try to finish Pacific Crest Trail in winter
Record Searchlight, Benjamin Spillman, 1/17/15
Sierra Link: 2 Tahoe area residents are attempting a first ever winter Pacific Crest Trail thru hike.
Water
http://www.latimes.com/science/la-me-atmospheric-rivers-20150119-story.html
California drought could end with storms known as atmospheric rivers
LA Times, Tony Barboza, 1/18/15
Sierra Link: Some are hopeful that atmospheric rivers will put a dent in the ongoing California drought.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/21/us/a-century-on-the-chinatown-water-feud-ebbs.html?_r=3
Century Later, the ‘Chinatown’ Water Feud Ebbs
NY Times, Adam Nagourney, 1/20/15
Sierra Link: The long battle between the Eastern Sierra and the city of Los Angeles for water rights and air pollution is finally seeing a shift.
Wildlife
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-only-wolverine-in-california-20150116-story.html
California's only known wolverine nearing end of his natural life
LA Times, Veronica Rocha, 1/16/15
Sierra Link: “California’s only know wild wolverine is still alive and roaming somewhere in the Tahoe National Forest, but he is nearing the end of his natural life.” Biologists are now assessing if bringing the wolverine to California (the Sierra) would be beneficial in the long-term.
Other
http://www.rgj.com/story/news/2015/01/15/divers-find-trash-littering-tahoes-bottom/21836635/
Divers find trash littering Tahoe's bottom
Reno Gazette-Journal, Jeff DeLong, 1/19/15
Sierra Link: Divers went on a mission to survey the bottom of Lake Tahoe to gauge changing conditions in the lake. One thing they weren’t expected was so much trash!
http://yubanet.com/regional/BYLT-acquires-35-acres-in-Alta-Sierra-known-as-Clover-Valley-Preserve.php#.VMgAqYc6HzI
BYLT acquires 35 acres in Alta Sierra known as Clover Valley Preserve
YubaNet, Bear Yuba Land Trust, 1/21/15
Sierra Link: Bear Yuba Land Trust, a Sierra Nevada Alliance member group, has secured 35 acres of oak and mixed conifer forests.
Jobs
Tuolumne Utilities District is hiring for two positions – General Manager and Associate Engineer II. Tuolumne County, in the Central Sierra Nevada with its diverse terrain, is the setting for Yosemite National Park, Stanislaus National Forest, Columbia and Railtown 1897 State Historic Parks, and a wide selection of Gold Rush towns like Jamestown, Groveland, and Sonora; the resort community of Twain Harte; and the lumber town of Tuolumne City… all providing a wide array of recreational activities. Open until filled.
http://www.tudwater.com/employment/
Events and Activities
Eagles and Agriculture - February 19-22, 2015
Eagles & Agriculture, the Carson Valley’s celebration of wildlife and ranching, has set its schedule for its thirteenth year of exploring the interaction between eagles and other raptors and the ranches of Carson Valley. Headquartered at the Carson Valley Inn and set for February 19-22, 2015, this year’s lineup includes one new offering along with long time favorites. http://www.carsonvalleynv.org/pages/EaglesAg/
Resources
Rose Foundation Open Grant Opportunities
Rose Foundation administers a series of grantmaking funds. Below is a brief selection of funds with grant deadlines this spring. Each fund has distinct eligibility criteria, scope of work, and application process.
Make sure tovisit our websitehttp://rosefdn.org/request-for-proposals
for more complete information about each of these funds.Sign-up on our RFP Listhttp://rosefdn.org/rfp to receive grant notifications for additional funding opportunities!