Sierra Institute for Community and Environment

04/28/2026

RFP ANNOUNCEMENT: Forest Restoration Partners Wanted

Sierra Institute is seeking qualified contractors for the Forest Service Road 29N32 Road-Stream Crossing Upgrade. This project is a vital part of our mission to restore watershed health, improve aquatic passage, and strengthen forest infrastructure resilience.

https://sierrainstitute.us/about/rfps-rfbs/

🗓️ MANDATORY PRE-BID TOUR

Date: Monday, May 4, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM (Convoy departs at 10:15 AM sharp)

Location: Meet at Brokenshire Picnic Area on CA-172 (GPS: 40.346643, -121.519891)

PROPOSALS DUE

Deadline: Friday, May 29, 2026, by 5:00 PM

RSVP REQUIRED: Please RSVP to ensure you receive updates regarding weather or road condition changes.

For more details or to RSVP, contact Michelle Sclafani, Watershed Restoration Project Coordinator: [email protected]

04/27/2026

Last month, Sierra Institute & Mosaic Timber staff attended the tenth annual International Mass Timber Conference in Portland.

Mass timber continues to gain traction as a fire-resistant, carbon-sequestering, seismically sound building material, and as a meaningful pathway for utilizing small-diameter trees from forest restoration projects. With Mosaic Timber on track to produce CLT panels in spring 2027, IMTC was an invaluable opportunity to connect with the architects, engineers, contractors, and partners who make community-scale production possible.

Grateful to the USFS, Alpenglow Saw Mill, Mad River Mass Timber, Foust Fabricators, Ironworkers Union, Carpentry Plus, Kinsol Timber Systems, Massframe Solutions, and many others for the collaboration.

Read the full article: https://sierrainstitute.us/news/international-mass-timber-conference-2026/

04/21/2026

Have you ever wondered how an old industrial site gets a second life?

It all starts with a Brownfield Assessment! Through our Rural Brownfields Program, we’re currently assessing six sites in California’s North State to identify environmental hazards and plan for future restoration. Whether it’s an old mill or a vacant lot, we’re committed to clearing the way for new opportunities in Plumas, Lassen, and Humboldt Counties.

Want to know how we determine if a site is safe for reuse? 🔍 Read the full breakdown of the assessment process here: https://sierrainstitute.us/news/assessing-brownfields-throughout-californias-north-state/

04/15/2026

Are you passionate about environmental health and rural community development?
The Sierra Institute is looking for two new team members to join our North State Rural Brownfields Program! We are hiring for:

Rural Brownfields Specialist: A full-time role (on-site or hybrid) focusing on site assessments, technical reports, and program expansion.

Rural Brownfields Apprentice: A temporary 9-month position perfect for those looking to build a career in environmental remediation. Housing is available in Taylorsville! Help us turn contaminated sites into opportunities for economic revitalization while living and working in the beautiful Indian Valley.

📍 Location: Taylorsville, CA (near Lassen National Forest)
💰 Pay: $20–$24/hr (Apprentice) | $26.10–$31.17/hr (Specialist)
📅 Applications: Reviewed on a rolling basis starting April 30, 2026.

Apply here: https://sierrainstitute.us/about/job-opportunities/

04/08/2026

We're looking for a Harvest Inspector to join our collaborative partnership with the Lassen National Forest this field season (May 26–November 25, 2026). This role puts you at the intersection of forest health, timber management, and community resilience — monitoring logging operations, ensuring contract compliance, and building real-world forestry skills alongside USFS Sale Administrators. Background in natural resources, forestry, or environmental science preferred. $23–27/hr | Chester, CA | Mon–Thu 4x10s.

View the full job description here:https://sierrainstitute.us/about/job-opportunities/

04/07/2026

Tomorrow night, we're coming to Greenville and we'd love to see you there. 🌲
Join the Sierra Institute and Plumas National Forest for a public meeting on the North Fork Forest Recovery Project. We'll share updates on work planned in and around Greenville, Taylorsville, North Arm, Genesee, Canyon Dam, and surrounding areas — and more importantly, we want to hear from you.
The evening will include a short presentation and small-group stations where you can talk directly with project representatives about what matters most to your community.
📅 Tomorrow, April 8th
🕠 5:30 PM
📍 American Legion Building, 430 Main St, Greenville, CA
This is your forest. Come be part of the conversation. Let us know in the comments if you're planning to attend!

04/02/2026

Last Friday in Chico, students, land stewards, fire practitioners, and community members gathered at CSU Chico's This Way to Resilience Symposium to sit with the questions that matter most across Northern California's fire-adapted landscapes — how do we live with fire, care for the land and each other, and build the kind of resilience that's rooted in place, culture, and shared responsibility?

The Living and Rebuilding in the WUI panel reminded us that this work isn't done alone. It's done across boundaries, across generations, and from the ground up. We are only as resilient as our most vulnerable neighbor — and we can do more together. Let's save the meadows and let the meadows save us.

Read the full recap on our website: https://sierrainstitute.us/news/living-and-rebuilding-in-the-wui/

03/25/2026

The 2021 Dixie Fire was a wake up call for Indian Valley. While Taylorsville remained standing, the overgrown forests nearby were a clear sign that we needed to act. Instead of waiting for the next disaster, our neighbors decided to take charge of their own safety.

Our new blog post by Kiersten Dolecki looks at how the community is building fire resilience from the ground up. Read the background story on how a many small meetings at the fire station grew into a massive project to protect over 850 acres of land. Resilience is a shared responsibility. We are working across property lines to make sure our forests and homes are ready for the future.

Check out the full post on our blog to see the progress we are making together.

Learn about the grassroots efforts and partnerships restoring forests near Taylorsville.

03/20/2026

We're excited to announce this year's P-CREW Alumni Reunion will be held from April 3–6, 2026, at Tomales Bay State Park!
Get ready for a great time with hiking, community service projects, professional development, and more!
Space for this trip is limited and spots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To secure your spot, please complete this form and RSVP as soon as possible!
We also ask that you complete the Alumni Survey and the Parent/Guardian feedback form.
The event cost is $25, which helps support the cost of meals and transportation. Payment details will be sent after you RSVP and your spot for the trip has been confirmed.
Please reach out with any questions.

We can't wait to see you this Spring!
Open to 2024 and past Alumni on March 16 !

03/19/2026

We’re looking for P-CREW Youth Crew Leaders for the 2026 season!

If you’re passionate about mentoring the next generation of stewards and love living, working, and playing in the great outdoors, this is for you. Spend your summer leading a crew of 10th-12th graders through meaningful conservation projects by day and mountain adventures by weekend. 🏔️⛏️

The Details:
📍 Location: Taylorsville, CA (Plumas & Lassen National Forests)
🗓️ Duration: 10-week summer session
💪 Impact: Trail maintenance, restoration, and life-changing mentorship.
💰 Paid leadership opportunity + all meals & gear provided!

Apply now! https://sierrainstitute.us/about/job-opportunities/

03/17/2026

Who defines the boundaries of the land?

Mapping has long been a tool used to outline ownership, but for Tribal nations, it’s about something much deeper: Sovereignty.

We recently partnered in a Tribal Data Sovereignty workshop at CSU Chico to explore the vital intersection of indigenous wisdom and GIS technology. From protecting sacred sites to managing natural resources, data sovereignty ensures that Tribes have the power to control their own stories and their own landscapes.

In our latest blog post, “Sovereignty in Every Map,” we recap the key takeaways from this workshop and discuss how tribes are bridging the gap between western tech and ancestral knowledge.

Tap the link read the full recap and learn why data sovereignty is the future of land management.

Explore the intersection of indigenous wisdom and GIS technology in this recap of the Tribal Data Sovereignty workshop held at CSU Chico.