Sierra Nevada Conservancy to discuss healthier forests projects at board meeting

Grants to fund on-the-ground projects to make forests healthier and to preserve working ranch and agricultural lands will be discussed at the March 8 Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) Governing Board meeting in Red Bluff.

The SNC said it’s in the process of reviewing applications for the $5 million Healthy Forests grant program, and is finishing guidelines for a new round of grants, which will fund projects designed to preserve ranch and farmland. Funding comes from the Proposition 84 Safe Drinking Water Bond Act passed by California voters in 2006.

The board will review the initial draft of the 2012-13 grant guidelines that are aimed at providing assistance to farmers and ranchers in the Sierra to help maintain the region’s rich history of working landscapes. The board will also review the SNC’s formal action plan for 2012-13, and hear a report on progress in promoting tourism in the Region through an ongoing Web-based “geotourism” project with National Geographic and the Sierra Business Council.

Additional items on the agenda include updates on potential roles the SNC may play after the transfer of thousands of acres of PG&E lands and easements, and discussion of a possible role with the California Department of Fish and Game and Inyo County in determining the future of the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery.

The board meeting will be held at the Red Bluff Community/Senior Center, (1500 South Jackson Street in Red Bluff) from 9 a.m. to about 1 p.m. The public is invited to all SNC activities and time will be allotted for public comment at the board meeting.

Persons interested in attending the field trip must provide their own transportation. To RSVP for the field trip and reception, visit www.SierraNevada.ca.gov, and look under “Announcements.”