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Our field scientists get to go to places that a lot of us will never have an opportunity to see. So when they are out in the field they often have some unforeseen obstacles that is not reflected in our scientific work. Well welcome to Stories From the Field, where […]

You have already heard us say this in a recent blog post, but here we will say it again: science and expertise are under attack. That is not an alarmist statement, and it is probably one that you all agree with or have at least heard whispers about. Dismantling of […]

While we mentioned some of our amazing volunteers and their accomplishments through the past year, we wanted to share some highlights of 2025. SSI saw an increase in total volunteer hours with a total 1,547 in volunteer hours across departments doubling our volunteer hours from 2024. We also welcomed 18 […]

At Nevada City School of the Arts (NCSA) on Saturday, December 13th, the Biochar Coalition led a Biochar demonstration burn day with support from CHIRP, Sierra Institute, NCSA, and Sierra Streams Institute. Members from the Biochar Coalition traveled locally and as far as Napa and Yreka, CA to test out […]

It has been a busy year here at Sierra Streams Institute. We wanted to to take the opportunity in the last newsletter of the year to share a snippet of the work and achievements we have accomplished this year from each of our departments. Our work could not happen if […]

2025 was a year of change, as you all know. We saw changes in administration, environmental protections, and funding for scientific and educational work for many in the field and also here at SSI. As the year comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on […]

This year our lab team leveled up the way we collect benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI) in the field. They researched and added an anesthetic step to minimize the pain that these invertebrates feel, and then used the method in the field all summer at sites throughout the Northern Sierra. These small bugs […]

We know you’ve all been wondering who the mysterious, illusive new intern is here at SSI. Hello, my name is Safari Davis. I am 16, and a current junior at Ghidotti High School in Grass Valley. I have lived in many places, but I’ve been in Grass Valley the longest, […]

For the past week or so, Nevada County residents at different elevations may have been experiencing very different weather. If you’ve driven up or down the hill recently, you may have been surprised to see how bright and sunny (and warm!) it is at higher elevations and cold and foggy […]

At long last we are ready to launch the Environmental Field Sites Database created by Sierra Streams Institute with the support of an awesome partner team! Funding for this project is provided through the EPA Environmental Education program.  What is the Environmental Fields Sites Database? This is a database of field sites […]

Written by Mali Valerio and Paige Lettington I am a 64-year-old who loves learning, being involved with the community, and our Mother Earth. My wife and I decided many years back that when we retired we wanted to live in this area (KVMR and BriarPatch were factors, along with the […]

First Rain Land Stewardship Services, part of First Rain Farms, is an exciting grassroots land stewardship group that SSI has been partnering with for forest health work as part of our Wildlife Conservation Board-funded Sierra Foothill Forest Climate Resilience Project. First Rain provides fuel reduction crews, prescribed burn services, and grazing […]

Written By Christian Noack As we enter safe burning conditions (CalFire lifted its residential burn suspension on Oct 17th), now is the time to ensure you are taking advantage of the more comfortable weather and practicing good stewardship of our land by creating burn piles! Not only does safely burning […]

Fall has arrived in western Nevada County with shorter days, cooler temperatures, and a few mild rainstorms. Following California’s dry summer, this change of season takes us on the first step towards spring: germination. The ground around us is flush with seeds that plants have cast off in hope of […]

Mullein: The Most Controversial Weed In The West This tall, grey green plant grows abundantly throughout the American West and is readily recognized by its fuzzy foliage, attractive yellow flowers, and upright, spike-like habit. Native to Eurasia and northern Africa, mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is controversial amongst plant people, being lauded […]