Little Deer Creek Landscape Resilience Project

Forest conditions in the Little Deer Creek watershed have exceeded historical norms for fuel load, tree density, and canopy closure. This increases the likelihood of high‑severity wildfire, potential loss of mature tree cover, soil erosion, and water quality degradation. Drought stress and bark beetle vulnerability are also elevated.

The area’s proximity to Nevada City and Grass Valley amplifies risks to public safety and property, underscoring the need for proactive, ecological fuels reduction.

• Recognized as a priority by BLM, Bear Yuba Land Trust (BYLT), the City of Nevada City, and the Nevada Irrigation District (NID).
• Protects the Cascade Canal Trail, BYLT’s Woodpecker Preserve, and NID’s D.S. Canal (serving 900+ customers).
• Safeguards Nevada City’s water treatment facilities and a year‑round archery range operated by the Nevada County Sportsmen Club.

• Treatments include mechanical mastication, hand cutting, chipping, pile burning, and lop‑and‑scatter methods.
• Focus on removing smaller trees and shrubs (≤ 10″ diameter) and larger hazard trees that are dead or dying.
• Primary target species for removal include incense cedar, Douglas‑fir, and white fir.