A Historic Day for the Carnegie Library

On August 22, the doors of Lakeport’s historic Carnegie Library opened to the public for the first time in decades. This special event celebrated the building’s restoration and shared CLERC’s vision for transforming the space into the future Discovery Center — a hub for education, exploration, and connection to the natural and cultural treasures of Lake County.

Guests enjoyed a cool respite from the hot August evening as they explored the beautifully restored library, learned about its history, and discovered plans for interactive exhibits that will showcase Clear Lake’s ancient past and current condition, vibrant ecosystems, and the stories of the people and wildlife who call the region home.

The enthusiasm and support from attendees underscored the importance of preserving this historic space and creating a place where learning and curiosity can thrive for generations to come.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their stories, and helped make this day one to remember. This is only the beginning — together, we are bringing the Discovery Center to life.

As fall arrives, amphibians and reptiles—frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and turtles (aka Herps)—begin their seasonal migrations from ponds and creeks to safe overwintering spots on land. Many return to the same exact place year after year, but their journey often means crossing busy roads and trails, putting them at serious risk.

CLERC’s Herp Monitoring Survey is gathering community sightings to better understand these migration routes and use that knowledge for local conservation. This year we’re especially monitoring Harrington Flat Road near Boggs Lake Preserve, though reports from across the county are welcome.

Be Alert on the Move
Drive, bike, and hike carefully during migration season—especially on damp nights—watching for small, hard-to-see animals.

Lend a Safe Hand
If it’s safe, you can help a herp cross the road:

Spread the Word
Help us raise awareness by telling your neighbors, friends, and family about herp migration season. The more people who know, the more animals we can protect.

Report sightings using the survey form.

Your participation helps make migration safer and supports efforts to protect the secret lives of our local wildlife.

We’ve refreshed our CLERC Project Dashboard to showcase the scope of our work over the past several years. The dashboard now highlights each project’s current status—whether it’s complete, in monitoring, or in progress—along with where the work is happening.

From habitat restoration to fuel reduction, you can see the projects that are making a difference across Lake County. The interactive map and project list make it easy to explore our work and track how we’re protecting and restoring local landscapes.

CLERC is excited to welcome Noa Commendador as our new Administrative Assistant. Noa brings over a decade of experience in marketing, design, compliance, and communications, along with a strong appreciation for the outdoors shaped by her background in California’s cannabis industry.

Her personal experience losing her home in the 2020 Glass Fire inspired her to join CLERC’s mission of wildfire mitigation and community resilience. At CLERC, she supports the Community Chipping Program, coordinates with participants, tracks progress, and provides essential administrative support. Her skills in communications will also help expand our outreach and strengthen community connections.

Outside of work, Noa enjoys traveling with her husband, visiting art galleries and museums, attending concerts, and spending time with their two French bulldogs at home in Lakeport.

We’re thrilled to have her on the team!

We’re excited to share CLERC’s 2024 Impact Report, highlighting the progress we’ve made together in protecting Lake County’s landscapes and wildlife. From advancing hazardous fuel reduction projects to launching new community science efforts like the Herp Migration Survey, our work continues to grow thanks to the dedication of our staff, partners, and supporters.

The report offers an overview of our projects, community engagement, and conservation outcomes, while also looking ahead at the challenges and opportunities on the horizon.

We invite you to read the full report and celebrate the collective impact we’re making for a more resilient Lake County.