Connecting Dots

Because we are not alone in this

Cross-Government and Cross-Sector Collaboration

More than 50% of lands in our headwaters are federal and Tribal lands; most are in the Eldorado and Tahoe National Forests and Desolation Wilderness. Another 18% are private timber lands. Less than 30% of the lands are covered by county/city general plans. The rest is under mixed ownerships by state and local governments. Cross-government and cross-sector collaboration is crucial for managing our headwaters.

Other Collaborative Groups in Our Headwaters

We bring different perspectives to the table, but our watershed group is not alone in finding pathways for headwaters to thrive. We can learn from each other, leverage the work and experience of each other, and explore opportunities for expanded collaboration.

Lead: County of El Dorado, OWPR
Purpose: Accelerate wildfire resiliency and vegetation management efforts to promote fire-adapted communities in El Dorado County
Participating Agencies from Headwaters Connect: Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience, County of El Dorado; El Dorado and Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation Districts; US Forest Service, El Dorado Water Agency, Georgetown Divide Public Utility District; Sacramento Municipal Utility District, El Dorado Irrigation District, and Pacific Gas and Eletricity Company.
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Lead: USFS, Eldorado National Forest
Purpose: Advance implementation projects within the Eldorado National Forecast for forest resilience and ecological health through partner collaboration
Participating Agencies from Headwaters Connect: El Dorado and Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation Districts; US Forest Service; El Dorado Water Agency; Sierra Nevada Conservancy.
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Lead: Regional Water Authority
Purpose: Pilot DWR's new Watershed Resilience Program to position the region for future funding opportunities and shape statewide watershed planning
Participating Agencies from Headwaters Connect: El Dorado Water Agency; Placer County Water Agency
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Lead: The Freshwater Trust
Purpose: Develop conservation financing strategy for watershed projects with quantifiable outcomes in the "Sierra to Sea" region
Participating Agencies from Headwaters Connect: El Dorado and Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation Districts; US Forest Service; El Dorado Water Agency
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Lead: On hold
Purpose: Promote forest health, create fire-adapted communities, and respond to wildfires within South Fork American River watershed
Participating Agencies from Headwaters Connect: TBD
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Lead: Tahoe Conservancy
Purpose: Improve science-based forest management and restoration to advance resilience across 2.4-million acre landscape and serve as a statewide model
Participating Agencies from Headwaters Connect: US Forest Service; El Dorado Water Agency; Sierra Nevada Conservancy.
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