We’re celebrating a major milestone—the completion of Phase 1 of our Forest Health Grant, marking the close of a six-year effort to improve wildfire resilience on Cobb Mountain and a few surrounding properties. Through this phase, 20 landowners managing significant acreage implemented fuel reduction and fire resiliency practices across their properties. We also funded a climate-focused research project for the Mendocino National Forest: Informing Reforestation Strategy for the Mendocino National Forest, which is helping guide restoration planning for the North Shore Restoration Project (NSRP).

As a reminder, CAL FIRE’s Forest Health Grant Program aims to restore and maintain healthy, resilient forests to reduce wildfire risk, sequester carbon, and enhance water and air quality.

Phase 2 of our Forest Health Grant is now well underway. As part of our work in the Mendocino National Forest, we recently facilitated the planting of 23,000 native seedlings—an exciting step forward in post-fire recovery and forest restoration.

And we’re excited to announce that Phase 3 funding has just been awarded! This next phase will continue critical work in and around the Mendocino National Forest, including maintenance on previously treated lands, environmental review and planning on private properties, and making thousands of acres shovel-ready for future forest health investments.

CLERC is proud to keep pushing this work forward for a more fire-resilient and ecologically healthy Lake County.

Growing seeding in Mendocino National Forest captured by our Fire and Forestry Coordinator, Marcus Brown.

CLERC is thrilled to share our vision for transforming the upstairs of the historic Carnegie Library in Lakeport into an immersive Nature Discovery Center—and we’re inviting the public to get a first glimpse!

On Friday, August 22, during the summer's final Concert in the Park (featuring The Funky Dozen) at Library Park, CLERC will open the Carnegie Library to the public for the first time since 1985. As a Concert in the Park sponsor that evening, we’ll be welcoming visitors in small groups (30 people at a time) to explore exhibit mockups, share ideas, and raise funds to help bring this exciting project to life.

Our vision for the Discovery Center is an interactive, hands-on space where visitors can explore the incredible natural history of Lake County—from the aquatic wonders of Clear Lake and native fish to oak woodlands, megafauna, geology, insects, and migratory birds of the Pacific Flyway. Our hope is that visitors will engage with touchscreen displays, discovery carts, scientific models, and interpretive exhibits that celebrate our region’s biodiversity and inspire curiosity.

This is just the beginning of an exciting journey to reconnect our community with nature through education, play, and storytelling. We hope you’ll join us on August 22 and be part of imagining what’s possible.

Why Private Donations Matter Now More Than Ever

While CLERC is fortunate to receive grant funding for many of our projects, nonprofits like ours rely on private donations to truly sustain and grow our impact. Grant funds are often limited to specific programs and come with strict guidelines, but private contributions give us the flexibility to respond to urgent needs, invest in staff and infrastructure, and support innovation.

As demands for wildfire resilience, environmental restoration, and community support continue to grow, your donation helps us fill funding gaps, act quickly when it matters most, and maintain the long-term work of protecting Lake County’s natural resources with agility and resilience. Your generosity directly impacts our ability to protect and restore Lake County’s natural resources. Together, we can build a more resilient future. Thank you for supporting our mission!