The lassen volcanic NP-sierra institute forest restoration training partnership seeks to support forest restoration and engage participation by adjacent rural communities in this work

The National Park Service (NPS) awarded $261,498 to Sierra Institute for Community and Environment through the Natural Resource Stewardship program (CFDA 15.944) effective August 13, 2025, with a completion date of December 31, 2026. The award supports the Lassen Volcanic National Park–Sierra Institute Forest Restoration Training Partnership, which delivers forest restoration and fuel reduction services designed to enhance forest resilience to wildfire, insects, and disease while preserving scenic resources for park visitors. Primary deliverables include implementation of fuel reduction activities in forest stands adjacent to areas of high visitor use and near park infrastructure, coupled with workforce training and community engagement initiatives that involve adjacent rural communities in active restoration work.

The cooperative agreement emphasizes collaborative natural resource stewardship by combining operational forest restoration activities with educational and workforce development components for rural communities. By addressing fuel loads and forest health near critical park infrastructure and visitor-use areas, the project contributes to the NPS's broader mission of evaluating and improving landscape health while building community capacity and economic engagement in ecosystem restoration work. The partnership model leverages Sierra Institute's established expertise in forest management and rural community development across Northern California to achieve both environmental and social outcomes within Lassen Volcanic National Park.

These restoration projects include fuel reduction activities in forest stands that are adjacent to areas of high visitor use and near park infrastructure. This work will increase the forests resilience to wildfire, insects, and disease and preserve their scenic beauty for current and future generations of park visitors.