As summer comes to a close and autumn rains approach, the Sugar Pine Foundation (SPF) is preparing to plant thousands of young sugar pines and other native tree seedlings throughout the Tahoe region.  The SPF’s fall planting blitz begins in early October and stretches into November.  During this time, the soil is naturally moistened from rainfall and conditions are ideal for giving young seedlings a good start.

The sugar pines that the SPF is planting need all the help that they can get, because they are the progeny of white pine blister rust resistant sugar pines.  White pine blister rust is a non-native, invasive fungus that is killing sugar pines, western white pines, and whitebark pines in the Tahoe area.  Thankfully, some 3-5% of sugar pines are genetically resistant to the fungus.  The goal of the SPF is to help save Tahoe’s glorious sugar pines by planting blister rust-resistant seedlings throughout the Basin and surrounding areas. SPF partners with local foresters and landowners to select the best planting sites for its seedlings. North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Forester, Forest Schafer helps SPF identify planting sites in Incline Village.

On Saturday, October 8^th the SPF is kicking off its Fall 2011 Community Plantings with a special project sponsored by and in partnership with BSM Consulting and the North Tahoe Demonstration Garden. BSM Consulting is an Incline Village firm that specializes in healthcare practice management.  The North Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden is an educational community garden at Sierra Nevada College that promotes conservation landscaping. BSM initially approached the SPF with an interest in donating to their cause and then identified the Demonstration Garden as a joint sponsor.  As it worked out, the groups ended up developing a planting project because the SPF had been struggling to find funding for prospective Incline Village planting sites that had been identified by North Tahoe Fire Protection District Forester, Forest Schafer.  All parties collaborated to determine a mutually agreeable site and planting plan.  BSM employees, their families and community volunteers will help plant a mix of blister rust-resistant sugar pines and incense cedar on local HOA and IVGID lands.  SPF and Forest Schafer will tell participants the forest history of the planting site and talk about forest ecology and health. BSM Consulting and the North Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden are generously covering the cost of trees to be planted.  This is the SPF’s first planting to be sponsored by a local business – a strong testament to BSM’s commitment to helping the environment.

 You can help too. Volunteers are needed for the planting in Incline Village and other community plantings taking place throughout October and into November. Mark your calendar with the following dates:

October 8, 10am-noon: Incline Village Community Planting

Park across from Big Water Grille on Ski Way, Incline Village. Half mile uphill hike to site.

October 16, 9am-1pm: Truckee River Day Planting

Meet at Glenshire/Devonshire Clubhouse at 15726 Glenshire Drive in Truckee, CA—sign up with Truckee River Watershed Council. Short walk to site.

October 22, 10am-noon: Community Planting @ Dreyfus Estates

Hwy 50 between Zephyr Cove Beach and Skyland Community in Nevada. Site is next to the street.

November 5, 11am-1pm:  Waddle Ranch Community Planting

Meet at Truckee Airport to carpool in Airport Van, or 4WD needed. Site is next to dirt road.

For more information visit www.sugarpinefoundation.org or email admin@sugarpinefoundation.org.

In order to service all remaining requests for Defensible Space Evaluations and Chipping in a timely manner and prior to potential inclement weather approaching, the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District has announced that Thursday, October 14 will be the last day to have a Defensible Space Evaluation completed, and the last day to request Chipping services. This will allow the Fire District time to complete the last chipping requests for the 2010 season.  

Please call 775/831-0351, ext. 8118 and leave your name, service requested, address and phone number. Or, visit our website at www.nltfpd.net. For Chipping requests, please remember that the pile needs to be curbside (limbs no larger than 6 inches in diameter, no stumps, roots, garbage, nails or finished lumber and pile must not exceed 10’x10’x10’).  

Folks that are on the 2010 list that have not yet been completed will be contacted and arrangements made to complete each request. To date, the Fire District has completed approximately 211 Defensible Space requests and 126 Chipping requests for the 2010 season. Since May 2008, 430 Nevada Fire Safe Council Defensible Space Rebate vouchers have been issued, with 270 rebates approved. Approximately $225,500.00 has been distributed to Incline Village residents from the 270 rebates.  

The Fire District would like to thank everyone that has expressed an interest in learning about what they can do to make their homes more defendable from a wildland fire and spending the necessary time to do the work around their homes.  

Save this number to call next spring to request a Defensible Space Evaluation/Tree Permit, or Chipping Service, 775/831-0351, ext. 8118. Or, visit our website www.nltfpd.net.  

The district anticipates beginning the prescribed burn program in the near future, depending on proper weather conditions. More information will come out as it is available.