Watershed Improvement Program (WIP) Capacity-Building

« What We Do

The capacity needs across California’s Sierra Nevada-Cascade region vary greatly, as do the on-the-ground project needs.

SNC provides technical assistance to our in-region partners ranging from grant writing workshops and information about funding opportunities to project development along with mapping and other support.

We are using funding from the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program to expand our capacity building activities and develop project pipelines. Our ability to reduce wildfire risk across our vast service area depends on a strong network of local partners to plan and implement work on the ground.

SNC and the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program (RFFCP)

Through the WIP, we are distributing RFFCP funding to local organizations to promote robust, collaborative forest health partnerships. RFFCP resources are increasing our ability to prioritize forest health and fire protection activities, plan projects, obtain funding, provide workforce training, and develop partnerships to implement projects.

This will allow us to get forest restoration work done on the ground faster.

Current RFFCP Activities

RFFCP resources are being used to support tribes, local organizations, and government agencies who are working together on a wide range of activities, which include:

  • Launching Fire Safe Councils
  • Developing collaborative project prioritization criteria and processes
  • Funding community wildfire protection plans
  • Supporting and training prescribed fire cooperatives
  • Training forest restoration professionals to help plan and manage projects
  • Completing CEQA and NEPA
  • Convening forest- and fire-related organizations and agencies to share information on projects and find ways to work together
  • Training organizations in financial management, change management, and grant writing
  • Testing new tools and utilizing new technologies to help plan and monitor restoration projects

Sustained state investments through the WIP, like the RFFCP, will allow our place-based partners to increase the pace and scale of forest restoration work across our service area.

About the RFFCP

The Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program is a California Natural Resources Agency program administered by the Department of Conservation and is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities.

sierra nevada conservancy, department of conservation, california natural resources agency, california climate investments

Capacity-Building Highlights

Sierra Corps completes first year of work
Heading into its second year of operation, the Sierra Nevada Alliance's Forestry Fellowship Program is proving invaluable to increase the pace and scale of forest restoration.