What Were RCDs Up To in July?
California is home to 96 unique RCDs operating in ten regions throughout the state. RCDs are California’s boots-on-ground, providing everything from technical assistance to design and installation of conservation projects to community education — and more. Each month, we work to compile a small sampling of the incredible work that the districts are doing in and on behalf of their communities.
Napa County RCD’s WILD Lectures
Napa County RCD’s WILD lectures host guest speakers who share about the wild side of Napa County. On July 24, Chris Ineich spoke to attendees about monarch butterflies. On July 25, Dr. Stewart Reid spoke about lampreys.
Yolo County RCD’s Ranch Workshop: Prescribed Burning
Yolo County RCD hosted a prescribed burning workshop for ranchers, rangeland managers, and property owners in the wildland urban interface. The workshop was held on July 24 from 8am to 10am at Yolo Land and Cattle Co. (24445 Co. Road 25, Esparto). “Burn Boss” Phil Dye led a two-hour session on the basics of prescribed burning for fuel load management and ecological restoration. He covered the options for conducting prescribed burning on private land, the logistics of coordinating a burn, permitting requirements and answered other “burning” questions the attendees had.
Sierra RCD Awarded Two Grants
Sierra RCD was awarded a California Department of Conservation (DOC) grant and a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) grant. The DOC awarded Sierra RCD $235,000 to establish a Southern Sierra Forest Health Watershed Program that covers the upper San Joaquin, Kings and other watersheds down to the upper Kern River. This is a very ambitious undertaking over the next two years that is the basis for implementing 5 goals of the California Forest Carbon Plan. $3.93 million of funding from CAL FIRE will go in support of their California Climate Initiative Forest Health program over the next 32 months. This is in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service within and adjoining the High Sierra District of the Sierra National Forest.