The Great Basin Institute (GBI) partners with the Healthy Eldorado Landscape Partnership (HELP)—a collaborative focused on forest restoration and wildfire mitigation—providing vital expertise in ecological restoration and environmental monitoring. Together, they work to improve landscapes, promote sustainability, and strengthen community resilience.
Shoutout to Michelle Wolfgang, the Partnership Coordinator for the Eldorado National Forest with the USFS. Michelle plays an integral role in facilitating collaboration and leading to ensure the success of the projects that make a significant difference in the region. The partnership also includes several other dedicated professionals who bring their expertise to the table:
- Dionne Uze, Pacific District Ranger, Eldorado National Forest
- Eric Nicita, Soil Scientist/BAER Coordinator, Eldorado National Forest
- Dana Walsh, Program Manager, Forest Stewardship and Forest Conservation, Pacific Southwest Region, U.S. Forest Service
- Tyler Schroyer, Stewardship Coordinator, GBI
- Andy Fristensky, Division Chief, Field Operations and Grants, Sierra Nevada Conservancy
- Ann Willis, California Regional Director, American Rivers
These individuals, along with many others from the teams at HELP and GBI, work tirelessly to restore and protect the region’s natural resources while enhancing the resilience of the communities that rely on them.
Crystal Basin Forest Restoration
Funded by the CAL FIRE Forest Health Program, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, and California Climate Investments Program, this project reduces wildfire risks, protects water resources, and enhances community resilience through controlled burns and forest thinning in the Sierra Nevada.
Watershed Outcomes Bank
HELP is working with The Freshwater Trust to coordinate funding for the Cosumnes River watershed, supporting projects that achieve urgent ecological targets and improve sustainable water management across the region.
Caldor Fire Recovery
After the devastating Caldor Fire, HELP collaborates with local communities and Tribes to restore the landscape and rebuild the social fabric, focusing on both physical and community resilience.
Through these initiatives, HELP and GBI are restoring ecosystems and enhancing the resilience of local communities, ensuring a sustainable future for the region. This work is made possible through grant support from CAL FIRE and the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC), which fund critical projects aimed at restoring forest health and reducing wildfire risks in the region.
