Amador County – The Sierra Nevada Conservancy in January announced a series of workshops for its new “Strategic Plan,” and also to take input on how it will give out its grants in the future.

In a letter to “stakeholders,” Sierra Nevada Conservancy asked for input as it develops its new “Strategic Plan.” Joan Keegan, Assistant Executive Officer said Sierra Nevada Conservancy is “in the process of developing a new Strategic Plan to guide our work over the next three years.”

She said: “With input from many stakeholders, we have refined our future direction into four main areas of focus that cut across our existing programs.” The areas of focus are healthy forests; watershed protection and restoration; agricultural lands; and tourism and recreation.

Keegan said the Conservancy needs stakeholder help to develop the goals and “determine the specific actions we’ll undertake for each area of focus.”

She said it was “extremely important to us that we get as much stakeholder input as possible to our new Strategic Plan,” so they planned a series of regional workshops to hear stakeholder thoughts and ideas. She said the Conservancy will also “be sharing ideas we are considering for how to structure our future grant program.”

The meetings will be held Monday, Feb. 7 in Auburn, Susanville and Sonora; and Thursday, Feb. 10 in Oroville, Bishop and Visalia.

If people cannot attend the meetings, the Conservancy will be broadcasting the 30-minute workshop over the Internet, on both Feb. 7 and Feb. 10. She said interested parties will be able to submit suggestions and ideas electronically, by registering at the SNC website.

Keegan said the public’s “views and ideas will help shape the future direction of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. ¶ For information, call Janet Cohen at (877) 257-1212.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.