News Briefs

William Roller

June 7

LAKE COUNTY

County announces new digital monthly newsletter

This new publication will provide all Lake County residents with an engaging, easy-to-read informational digest with important county-wide updates, news, and events.

Each monthly digital newsletter will be available in English and Spanish and designed to be a portal to civic involvement and empowerment for residents living in Lake County. By subscribing, people can join a community engaged to enhancing the quality of life in the region and receive timely and relevant information.

Quality of Life: includes, initiatives and projects aimed at improving the living conditions in Lake County;

Community Building: staying connected with local events, volunteer opportunities, and ways
to get involved in strengthening our community;
Fire Life Safety: updates and safety tips to protect your home and loved ones from fire hazards;
Health: news on public health issues, programs, and resources;
Seniors: discovering services, activities, and support available for our senior residents;
Families with Children: educational programs, family activities, and resources for children and parents; and
Environmental Stewardship: efforts to preserve and protect our natural environment.

Visit https://www.countyoflakenews.com/join today for more information, and to ensure you receive future editions of this exciting new county-focused digital newsletter! Enter your name and email address in the simple form on the webpage.

An opt-in e-mail was also recently sent to all registered voters within the county. Please check your email's spam and junk folders for the opt-in e-mail and mark it as "NOT junk / NOT spam," to ensure you do not miss out on each month's newsletter updates and County happenings. Visit https://www.countyoflakenews.com/join Today and Sign Up to Receive the newsletter.

"The County of Lake is grateful to Imprenta Communications Group, Inc., for their valued partnership in this new endeavor," said Matthew Rothstein, Chief Deputy County Administrative Officer.

Submitted by Matthew Rothstein, Chief Deputy County Administrative Officer.

SACRAMENTO

Support for California rural communities through forest health and wildfire preparedness projects

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is announcing $17 million in Business and Workforce Development grant awards to 20 projects that will support non-profit organizations, private businesses, and educational institutions that are enhancing forest resilience and wildfire preparedness across the state.

These projects encompass a wide array of initiatives intended to increase capacity for utilizing forest biomass, workforce development and research and development into new uses for forest biomass.

Matt King of Tuolumne Biomass underscores the pivotal role of the CAL FIRE Business and Workforce Development grants in catalyzing the growth of biomass utilization facilities, stating,

"The CAL FIRE Business and Workforce Development Grant Program has been instrumental for the development of both our own biomass utilization facility and so many others across the State of California."

Several grants will reimburse small forest operators for equipment acquisitions, including sawmill upgrades to increase the use of forest biomass. This support will increase the capacity for fuels treatments, helping the State to reach its forest management objectives.

Workforce development projects will support new job training opportunities, including the California Local Conservation Corps Foundation who will facilitate training, certification, and job placement for 340 local corps members. This will equip corps members for entry-level forestry technician and seasonal firefighting roles with federal, state, and local fire service
agencies.

Mass timber production, technology for prescribed fire management, track-and-trace software for biomass, decarbonization of cement manufacturing, and exploration of converting low-value forest biomass into a horticultural substrate are topics to be explored through research and development awards.

These projects align with California's Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan. Funded through California Climate Investments, CAL FIRE's Business and Workforce Development grant awards signify a commitment to fostering resilience in California's forest ecosystems while bolstering wildfire preparedness measures. For comprehensive details, please visit CAL FIRE's Wood Products and Bioenergy webpage at https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/natural-resource-management/environmental-protection-program/wood-products-and-bioenergy

—Submitted