The CLERC Lab specialized water quality testing laboratory at the Carnegie Library in Lakeport, California, conducts precise analysis of drinking water and wastewater samples, contributing to public health by ensuring water safety and integrity for informed decision-making and environmental management.

The aim of The Community Chipping Program is to establish defensible zones around critical infrastructure. Inspired by the effective chipping program of the South Lake Fire Safe Council, this county-wide effort draws from their experience to benefit the entire region. Managed by CLERC, executed by the Hogback Ridge Fuels Crew, and with backing from the Lake County Firewise Community and Fire Protection Districts, this represents a genuine collaborative effort across Lake County.

Our Forest Health Projects are designed to revitalize the health and fire resilience of Lake County, which has grappled with the consequences of years of wildfires, prolonged drought, pest infestations, conifer mortality, and the absence of natural fires, leading to an unprecedented accumulation of fuel. In partnership with local, state, federal, tribal, and private stakeholders, this initiative will implement a range of strategies, including fuel reduction, controlled burns, pest management, reforestation, and biomass utilization. The goal is to enhance carbon sequestration while mitigating carbon loss resulting from extensive wildfires.

CLERC is actively engaged in various Hazardous Roadside Fuel Reduction Projects. Given the years of wildfire challenges, including smoke, evacuations, community hardships, and economic impacts that our County has endured, the urgency of hazardous fuel reduction, particularly along roads and evacuation routes, has become a paramount collective concern. Through collaboration with CalFire, CalTrans, and local agencies, we are diligently planning and executing fuel reduction projects along crucial routes.

The Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) is the zone where human communities and structures meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland areas, such as forests, grasslands, and natural landscapes. This interface represents a critical area of concern in terms of fire risk and wildfire management.

CLERC has been engaged in planning, implementation and maintaining several WUI fuel breaks throughout the county in order to help protect the community from wildfires and the wildland from human impacts.

Initiated by CLERC and the Chi Council for the Clear Lake Hitch, an application was created to streamline the reporting of Hitch sightings, or the lack thereof, during spawning seasons. This citizen science platform for fish observations contributes vital data for evaluating population figures and breeding trends, ultimately informing strategies for conservation. More on the project

CLERC plans to spearhead the redevelopment of the Carnegie Library in Lakeport as a center and repository for environmental education and research.

CLERC is all about working together. We lead in some areas, help in others, and it's built on strong relationships based on talking openly and sharing responsibilities. In the coming years, we'll keep up strong partnerships and communication with local governments, Tribal partners, and others in the community. We'll keep supporting partners where we can and create tools to be better prepared for new opportunities and challenges.