The Clear Lake Environmental Research Center serves as a steward for environmental and economic sustainability of Clear Lake, its neighboring lands and waters, local communities, and beyond.

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Clear Lake Environmental Research Center (CLERC)

Founded in 2014, CLERC began as a research hub for Clear Lake and its watersheds, then expanded to meet the urgent challenges of wildfire. Today we lead projects in fire prevention, forest health, and ecosystem restoration, while transforming the historic Carnegie Library into a center for environmental education.

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QUICK LINKS

  • CHIPPING PROGRAM

    Resources for property owners who want to protect their land and strengthen the health of Lake County’s forests.

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  • MEDITERRANEAN OAK BORER

    Help track and slow the spread of this invasive beetle threatening Lake County’s oaks. Learn what to watch for and how to report sightings.

    REPORT A SIGHTING

  • HERP MONITORING

    Join local efforts to track reptiles and amphibians around Clear Lake. Your observations help scientists protect these vital species.

    REPORT A SIGHTING

  • LANDOWNER RESOURCES

    Find resources and best practices for property owners who want to protect their land and strengthen the health of Lake County’s forests.

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  • HITCH MONITORING

    Help track the endangered Clear Lake hitch, a native fish critical to our watershed. Your observations support vital conservation efforts.

    REPORT A SIGHTING

  • CLERC LABORATORY

    CLERC’s accredited local lab offers water testing services you can rely on. Order custom tests or bring in samples for analysis.

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The CLERC Blog
$5.9M in CAL FIRE Grants Boost Forest Resilience Across North Bay Counties
$5.9M in CAL FIRE Grants Boost Forest Resilience Across North Bay Counties

Big news for forest health and wildfire resilience in Northern California: with CLERC’s help, Conservation Works, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental protection in the North Coast region, has been awarded more than $5.9 million in funding from CAL FIRE’s Wildfire Resilience Program. This significant investment will support the expansion of the North Bay Forest Improvement Program (NBFIP) across Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, and Napa counties.

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Congressman Mike Thompson Meets with CLERC Team at Critical Fuel Break Project
Congressman Mike Thompson Meets with CLERC Team at Critical Fuel Break Project

Recently, Congressman Mike Thompson visited one of CLERC’s fuel break projects, a site that played a vital role in stopping the spread of a recent wildfire. His visit underscored the importance of proactive land management and wildfire mitigation efforts in protecting communities across Lake County.

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CLERC's Carbonizer Project: Turning Woody Biomass into Biochar for Sustainable Solutions
CLERC's Carbonizer Project: Turning Woody Biomass into Biochar for Sustainable Solutions

Wood management is a significant challenge for agencies and organizations working on wildfire resilience. With so many trees to manage across vast landscapes, the increasing threat of invasive pests has only worsened the situation, leading to an exponential rise in tree mortality. To address wildfire risks while promoting carbon sequestration, CLERC launched the Middletown Carbonizer Project in collaboration with multiple partners. This initiative utilizes the Tigercat Carbonizer, an advanced piece of machinery designed to convert excess biomass into biochar efficiently.

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CLERC STORIES

Featured Programs

  • Fire and Forestry

    CLERC’s Fire and Forestry Program strategically coordinates projects that reduce wildfire impacts, support post-fire recovery, and conserve healthy forest ecosystems. Through collaborative partnerships and comprehensive planning, the program promotes resilient fire management and long-term ecological integrity.

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  • Test tubes and trays

    Analytical Laboratory

    CLERC's specialized water quality testing laboratory at the Carnegie Library in Lakeport, California, conducts precise analysis of drinking water and wastewater samples, contributing to public health by ensuring water safety and integrity for informed decision-making and environmental management.

    Connect With the Lab
  • Hogback fuels crew chipping branches

    Community Chipping

    CLERC supports two distinct chipping programs: one in collaboration with the South Lake Fire Safe Council that provides chipping services to the people in the South Lake County Fire Protection District and the other rotating through the other four fire districts within Lake County. The primary aim of these programs is to establish defensible space around essential infrastructure.

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  • Photos of Carnegie Library through the ages

    Clear Lake Environmental Discovery Center

    Housed in Lakeport’s historic Carnegie Library, the future CLERC Discovery Center will offer interactive exhibits, hands-on exploration, and local research that connect visitors to Clear Lake’s unique environment and cultural heritage. Designed as a hub for learning and community engagement, the center will inspire curiosity across all ages.

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