PRESS RELEASE – TuCARE’s COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION FUND
In an effort to help prevent wildfire devastation like that which took place during the Camp Fire in Paradise, California, Tuolumne County Alliance for Resources & Environment (TuCARE) is kicking off a campaign for The Community Wildfire Protection Fund (CWPF). The project will create resources to fund fire fuels reduction projects on private land, within neighborhoods, and in and around subdivisions. In addition, funds will be used to assist private landowners who are adjacent to the proposed “North Tuolumne Private/Public Land Interface Shaded Fuel Break”. All funds raised will be used for actual work done on the ground. Sonora Area Foundation will accept the funds and facilitate funding disbursements.
A small demonstration project is underway. The purpose of this pilot project is to show the public and donors what an actual fuel break looks like at completion, and to dispel myths and misconceptions about fire fuel reduction on the landscape.
Project selection will be based on urgency of need, and funding levels will be based on a tiered schedule. TuCARE hopes landowners will “invest” in the project if possible, but allowances will made based on the need to complete the project and the financial need of the landowner.
The “North Tuolumne Private/Public Land Interface Shaded Fuel Break” is a benefit for all project and will be funded at 100% for private lands that abut public lands. Only the private land side of the fuel break will be funded through the CWPF. Our goal is for public agencies that comprise the other half of the fuel break, to fund the work on the public land portion.
Scheduled project maintenance will be a component of the CWPF. All projects invested in will be maintained for continued fire protection values.
The CWPF campaign was kicked off at TuCARE’s Annual Dinner on March 14th. Members of TuCARE’s Board of Directors are available to present the project at meetings and events. More information about the campaign is available on the website: www.tucare.com
To donate to the project, please contact Sonora Area Foundation. Your donations are tax deductible. TuCARE is a 501 (c)3 non-profit. When donating all checks should be made payable to: Sonora Area Foundation. Please note on your donation that it is for the “CWPF Project”.
Donations can be made online at www.sonora-area.org as well.
Have questions? Want a presentation? Contact TuCARE at (209) 586-7816 or email them at tucare@mlode.com.