News & Updates

Stories from the watershed

Reports, announcements, and articles on forest health, community programs, and YWI news.

Foragers walking through an oak and conifer forest during YWI's annual Fungus ForayFeatured
Announcements

We're Hiring: Education Programs Lead

YWI is hiring a part-time, seasonal Education Programs Lead to coordinate our fall and early-winter community education — anchored by the annual Fungus Foray & Wild Mushroom Exposition — and to help rebuild a tradition of classes, walks, and hands-on stewardship events. The position is open until filled.

June 17, 2026
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South Yuba Rim Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project treatment area on San Juan Ridge
Procurement

Notice of Intent to Award: South Yuba Rim Biologist Services

YWI intends to award the Phase 2 Qualified Biologist Services contract for the South Yuba Rim Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project to Streamlined Ecological Services, pending final contract execution.

July 23, 2026
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Lynne Westerfield, YWI Landscape Resilience Project Manager
Announcements

Welcome Lynne Westerfield, Our New Landscape Resilience Project Manager

YWI is delighted to welcome Lynne Westerfield as our new Landscape Resilience Project Manager. A recent arrival to the San Juan Ridge with more than two decades in conservation, Lynne will help plan, implement, and monitor forest and watershed resilience work across the Yuba River watershed.

July 2, 2026
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A firefighter in yellow hard hat monitors small ground fires burning through an open mixed-conifer forest during a prescribed burn
Events

YFN Summer Field Tour: Broadcast Burn Units

The Yuba Forest Network is hosting a free, all-day field tour on June 24 — an on-the-ground look at two active prescribed fire projects along the South Yuba River. Visit broadcast burn units, hear from project leads, and explore the landscape-scale strategies behind the work.

June 3, 2026
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South Yuba Rim Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project treatment area on San Juan Ridge
Procurement

Request for Proposals: Qualified Biologist Services — South Yuba Rim Phase 2

YWI is seeking a qualified biologist or ecological consulting firm to conduct focused special-status species surveys, compliance monitoring, and reporting for the 232-acre South Yuba Rim Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project (Phase 2). Questions are due June 15 and proposals are due July 1, 2026.

May 29, 2026
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Treated forest stand in the Little Deer Creek project area after fuel reduction work
Project Updates

Little Deer Creek: Treatments Complete, Grant Closing Out

After more than two years of planning, contracting, and on-the-ground work, fuel reduction treatments are complete across the Little Deer Creek Landscape Resilience Project. A milestone update from the project team.

April 28, 2026
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Thinned ‘Inimim Forest stand on San Juan Ridge showing more open structure and light reaching the forest floor
Project Updates

‘Inimim Forest Phase 3: Spring 2026 Project Update

The project has treated 292.8 acres on San Juan Ridge, completed a major slash pile burn, and is on track to wrap up by Spring 2027. Here's where things stand heading into the new season.

April 27, 2026
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A machine pile fully involved in orange flame on Day 1 of the ‘Inimim pile burn
Project Updates

Fire on the Ridge: The ‘Inimim Pile Burn

After weeks of waiting for a weather window, a crew from Terra Fuego, the BLM, and Yuba Watershed Institute put fire on roughly 250 acres of machine piles in the ‘Inimim Forest over two long days in spring. A photo and video story of how it went.

April 9, 2026
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Flyer for Little Deer Creek Spring Field Tours showing before and after photos of forest fuel reduction treatments
Events

Spring Field Tours: See the Little Deer Creek Landscape Resilience Project

Join us in April for a guided walk through 206 treated acres in the Nevada City/Banner Mountain area. See the results of two years of hand and mechanical thinning, check on native understory regrowth, and discuss the ecological and fire-resilience impacts of the work.

March 18, 2026
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Mountain lion cubs captured on a trail camera in the Yuba watershed
Watershed & Wildlife

Explore the Watershed: New Wildlife Video and Trail Camera Gallery

We've added a western pond turtle video and an expanded trail camera gallery to the Watershed Wildlife page — 47 candid photos and videos of the animals that share this landscape.

March 11, 2026
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Forestry crew conducting forest thinning operations with a wood chipper in pine forest
Press Releases

Yuba Watershed Institute Secures Over $2 Million for Wildfire Prevention across South Yuba Canyon

YWI secured two state grants totaling over $2 million to treat nearly 430 acres on both rims of the South Yuba River canyon and reduce wildfire risk for Nevada County communities.

March 10, 2026
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Inimim Forest Phase 3
Procurement

Notice of Intent to Award: Inimim Forest Phase 3

YWI intends to award the contract for the Inimim Forest Restoration Project – Phase 3 Timber Harvest, advancing landscape-scale forest resilience in Nevada County.

October 17, 2025
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Goats grazing in a forested fuel break at Round Mountain
Project Updates

Goats for Good: Defending Greater Nevada City

Over 200 goats will maintain the Round Mountain shaded fuel break—reducing wildfire risk and protecting our communities in the Nevada City area.

October 1, 2025
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Little Deer Creek Project Highlights
Project Updates

Little Deer Creek Project Highlights

Forest resilience treatments to protect communities and critical infrastructure near Nevada City, with work spanning multiple seasons.

January 15, 2025
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South Yuba Rim Project Highlights
Project Updates

South Yuba Rim Project Highlights

Landscape-scale fuel reduction on the South Yuba River rim—learn about scope, partners, and timelines for this multi-year stewardship effort.

January 1, 2025
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