LEAF Partnership

LEAF partners working in forest health, wildfire resilience, prescribed fire, biomass utilization, watershed restoration, tribal stewardship, and landscape-scale collaboration may want to take a close look at California's new 2026 Wildfire Resilience Block Grant opportunity.

Funded through Proposition 4, this program is designed to strengthen regional capacity by supporting collaborative, landscape-scale projects that reduce wildfire risk, improve forest and landscape resilience, and invest in long-term implementation efforts. The program emphasizes partnerships, regional coordination, and projects that deliver multiple community and environmental benefits.

This funding may be particularly relevant for:

• Forest collaboratives and stewardship organizations

• Tribes and tribal organizations

• Resource Conservation Districts

There is an exciting opportunity for high school students and recent graduates in Mono and Inyo Counties: The Outdoor Career Mini-Academy, a free 4-day program focused on careers in wildland fire, forestry, and outdoor recreation.

The academy runs August 10–13, 2026 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Wind Drift Studios in Mammoth Lakes. Each day is dedicated to one sector, with the final day covering Leave No Trace principles and outdoor safety. Participants will learn alongside local professionals through hands-on activities both on-site and at nearby outdoor locations.

Additional details worth noting:

• The program is completely free to participants thanks to support from Wind Drift Studios, Sierra Jobs First, Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access Foundation,  and Arc’teryx.

• Potential transportation assistance for participants traveling from Inyo County or northern Mono County, dependent upon need.

Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation FY 2026-27 $375K available for wood/biomass R&D, market development, and workforce development projects. Broad eligibility — colleges, tribes, nonprofits, businesses, local agencies all qualify. Deadline: August 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Submit everything in one email to katie.harrell@bof.ca.gov.

U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities Closed Wood Products Facilities for Bioenergy Up to $500K nationally for FEL-2 pre-development assessments on closed mills and pulp/paper facilities being repurposed for biopower or biofuel. Site control required. If your organization owns or controls an idled facility, this one is for you. Deadline: August 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT.

👀 Go see what's new: https://www.sierraindustry.org/funding-framework

Know someone with an idled facility? Tag them or connect here! This is exactly the kind of opportunity where a regional introduction makes a difference.

Greetings SJF Regional Partners, Collaborators, and Friends,

On behalf of the Rural County Representatives of CA and Amador College Connect, you are cordially invited to attend and engage in meaningful collaboration to inform the development of the Invention Education and Industrial Arts Training Program Framework through the Sierra Jobs First Catalyst Grant initiative.  See the attached flyer for details and the agenda.

WHEN:  Wednesday, July 8th, 1-4pm

WHERE:  IN PERSON at Mother Lode Job Training Center, Sonora, CA

RSVP's are required so we can plan accordingly.  You can RSVP at https://forms.gle/pTPsFV5FWVeUnxqT6

As always, all are welcome so feel free to share, send and invite other interested partners from across our SJF communities. We look forward to engaging with you about this important work in our region.