Forest Ambassador Program on the Carson District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

The National Forest Foundation (NFF), in partnership with the Carson Ranger District of the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest (HTNF), will deploy and administer a Forest Ambassador to support recreation management, visitor education, stewardship, and resource monitoring in priority watershed areas of the Carson Ranger District. The Forest Ambassador will engage visitors at high-use trailheads, trails, recreation sites, and community events in the Reno area to promote responsible recreation and educate visitors on forest health and watershed protection while identifying recreation-related impacts on natural resources.

TMWA Benefit:

II. Watershed Improvements: Reduce recreation-related impacts that contribute to erosion, sedimentation, vegetation loss, and pollutant inputs within priority watershed areas. In previous years, the Forest Ambassador assisted in the reconstruction of the Tahoe Meadows Boardwalk, providing protection to adjacent water sources by reducing erosion from foot traffic. The Ambassador will identify and document erosion concerns, social trails, dispersed campsites, unauthorized fire rings, and other resource impacts while assisting with trail maintenance, restoration, litter removal, and visitor education designed to prevent future degradation.

V. Rehabilitation of Local Tributary Creeks and Drainage Courses: A major focus of the program is the stewardship and protection of the Whites, Galena, Thomas, Jones, and Dry Creek watersheds. Through monitoring, restoration and maintenance activities, as well as visitor outreach, the program will reduce recreation-related impacts such as litter and erosion that affect water quality and watershed function within these tributary systems.

VI. Stewardship and Environmental Awareness: Public education and stewardship are core components of the Forest Ambassador Program. The Forest Ambassador will educate visitors in high-use areas through conversations about responsible recreation, Leave No Trace practices, wildfire resilience, and watershed health. By helping visitors understand the connection between recreation practices and resource impacts, the program promotes stewardship and encourages behaviors that reduce erosion, litter, habitat disturbance, and other threats to watershed health.