Funding awarded to enhance forest health and community resilience in the Eastern Sierra

Whitebark Institute awarded $7M grant

Bishop, Calif., October 30, 2024 – Whitebark Institute has been awarded a $7 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) as part of a larger initiative to protect and restore forests and watersheds in California. This grant is part of NFWF’s $53 million commitment to enhance headwater resilience and mitigate wildfire risks across California.

“This funding is a game-changer for our efforts in the Eastern Sierra’s unique ecosystems and communities,” said Laura Beardsley, Executive Director at Whitebark Institute. “With this generous investment from NFWF, we can significantly increase local capacity to address wildfire risks and improve the future for our communities, forests, and watersheds.”

Whitebark Institute, the Inyo National Forest (INF), and other partners will use the funding to support several Eastern Sierra climate resilience efforts, including:

• Restoring Healthy Forests to Reduce Wildfire Risks: As part of the Eastern Sierra Climate & Communities Resilience Project (ESCCRP), funding will restore forest health and reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfires that threaten communities, watersheds, and wildlife in Mammoth and June Lakes.
• Planning and Environmental Analyses: Whitebark Institute and the Forest Service will engage partners and community members in developing proposed actions for fuels reduction and restoration on a landscape level as well as environmental compliance.
• Community Engagement: Tribes, local communities, small businesses, and visitors will be engaged, with funding from this grant, in wildfire prevention, preparedness, and forest health initiatives.

“The work funded by NFWF will reduce risks to vital natural resources and support local economies that depend on tourism and sustainable recreation,” said Inyo Forest Supervisor Lesley Yen. “We are thankful for partners like the Whitebark Institute who are working with us to improve the resilience and sustainability of the Eastern Sierra.”

For more information about the ESCCRP, visit: www.eswildfirealliance.org/program/esccrp