Collaborative efforts outline and prioritize projects that will promote outdoor access and build wildfire resilience in a changing climate
Projects that successfully improve environmental and economic conditions for rural communities embedded within public lands, such as national forests, require in-depth collaboration and advanced planning. After nearly two years, a recreation master plan that identifies both the focus areas and work needed to not only boost recreation but also protect natural resources and key infrastructure from wildfires and a warming climate, has been completed by Nevada County.
“This plan is a starting point for collaborating with our outdoor partners, supporting project strategy and planning, and connecting our communities through the love of recreation. Strengthening our recreation opportunities through the guidance of this plan will act as assurance to the local economy throughout the changes of our climate,” said Heidi Hall, Nevada County District 1 supervisor.
SNC-funded plan adapts to climate impacts
Through the help of a $200,000 grant from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) and funds by the county, the Nevada County Recreation and Resilience Master Plan was finalized after many months of collaborative planning and public engagement. It is the first in Nevada County history, and one of the first master plans by any county in California that integrates recreational solutions for adapting to extreme weather, wildfire, drought, and other impacts.
“The Recreation and Resiliency Master Plan will be an essential tool to further sustainability and quality of life in Nevada County,” explained Nevada County District 5 Supervisor Hardy Bullock at its May 2024 board meeting . “Our recreation infrastructure can promote climate and wildfire resilience, as well as community health and carry out our community’s vision of how we want to live, work, and play.”
With so many popular outdoor recreational sites, including the South Yuba River, Scotts Flat Reservoir, Tahoe National Forest, and the myriad mountain biking and hiking trails, tourism in the region has rapidly increased over the years. This new county master plan that was approved by the Nevada County board of supervisors in May of last year lays out a long-term vision to improve and protect recreation resources, such as rivers, trails, parks, and sports fields, from environmental and human-related impacts.
“By prioritizing solutions that promote community health and safety, economic development, environmental sustainability and climate change adaptation and resilience, the plan ensures a balanced and sustainable approach to recreation,” said South Yuba River Citizens League Policy Director Traci Sheehan at the May 2024 board meeting.
In a changing climate with more and more people escaping to the mountains to beat the valley heat, identifying efforts and funding solutions that address near-term and long-term challenges and opportunities have become a priority for the county and other regions throughout the Sierra-Cascade.
Led by the county’s Community Development Agency, the plan focuses on eight specific areas: community & regional park system; recreation outposts; towns to towns trail system; recreation & resiliency hub network; river access management; destination Donner Summit; sustainable recreation & communications; and one centralized hub for recreation resources & programming.
Holistic economic and environmental approach
Despite covering a lot of areas of interest, the main reason behind the plan is to ensure recreation in the county remains viable and sustainable as tourism increases and natural disasters, such as wildfires, become more frequent in a warming climate. Feedback from both county residents and visitors to the area were a priority in its creation.
“What I love about this master plan is it really looks at recreation in a holistic way,” explained Sue Hoek, District 4 supervisor at the May 2024 board meeting . “It focuses on the people that live here and what people need, with extensive community engagement and input. It also addresses visitors and links to economic opportunities and what draws visitors to our county. It all works together in a complementary way.”
Part of that complement is knowing there is a connection between the environment and economy. Through the protection of the rivers, lakes, and forests, the county also safeguards much of its continued tourism. While investments for particular projects and efforts in the recreation plan still need to be secured to ensure implementation, at least key focus areas and projects have been identified and prioritized.
“This has been a long time coming and I’m excited for the potential to have the Recreation and Resiliency Master Plan become a path and model for other counties,” said Hall.