Julia Hart

The board meeting focused on several key items including an update on the 2026 administrative staffing changes, an overview of the current state legislative session and bills impacting the agency, and a review of the regional forest and fire capacity program. The board considered an amendment to the board meeting schedule, approved landscape grant program guidelines, and reviewed wildfire and forest resilience grant program guidelines. Furthermore, the board addressed numerous grant award recommendations for wildfire resilience and sustainable recreation projects, reviewed grant agreement amendments, and discussed the annual action plan.

The board meeting agenda includes an amendment to the 2026 meeting schedule, consideration of Landscape Grant Program Guidelines, and Wildfire and Forest Resilience Grant Program Guidelines. Key items include award recommendations for Proposition 4 Early Action Wildfire and Forest Resilience projects, Proposition 68 Sustainable Recreation, Tourism, and Equitable Outdoor Access projects, and other Proposition 68 grant awards. The board will also review grant agreement amendment recommendations, discuss the 2026-2027 Action Plan, and hold time for board and public comments.

The Board held a meeting where they administered oaths of office for new members. Discussions included reports from the Board Chair and Executive Officer, an annual budget report, updates on the State Water Project Headwaters Investment Pilot, and the Tribal Capacity Building Pilot Program. The Board took action to approve various grant awards for wildfire and forest resilience projects, including the Eldorado Community Defense Project, the Round Mountain Landscape Resilience Project, the Lily Gap Vegetative Maintenance project, the Plumas Community Resilience Project, the Mount Crossman Community Fuel Break, the Sly Park Fuels Reduction Project, the Town of Washington Wildfire Defense project, the Protecting Highway 108's Communities project, the Manton WUI Protection Project, and the Fresno County Wildfire Defense Accelerator project. Additionally, the Board authorized an amendment for the South Yuba Rim Hazardous Fuel Reduction Project and approved the transfer of funds for the Alpenglow Timber Sawmill Project.

The meeting featured a presentation on the Executive Officer's report detailing agency successes over the past year, including investments, grant programs, and budget expectations. A legislative panel discussion was held with representatives regarding policy priorities such as wildfire resilience, insurance affordability, and rural investment. The Board conducted elections for the positions of Board Chair and Vice-Chair for the 2026 calendar year and adopted the 2026 meeting schedule. Significant actions included the approval of the 2025-2026 Action Plan, the authorization of funding and CEQA determinations for several wildfire and forest resilience projects, and the amendment of existing grant agreements.

The board meeting agenda covered several informational and action items over March 4 and 5, 2026. Key discussion topics included an Oath of Office for new Boardmembers, the Executive Officer's Report, and the Annual Budget Report for 2026-27. Action items focused on grant awards under the Proposition 4 Early Action Wildfire and Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program, including recommendations for ten specific projects across various counties totaling significant funding amounts. The board also considered an amendment for the South Yuba Rim Hazardous Fuel Reduction Project and an authorization for the Alpenglow Timber Sawmill Project. The informational segments detailed updates on the State Water Project Headwaters Investment Pilot and the Tribal Capacity Building Pilot Program, alongside a comprehensive review of SNC's funding sources, staffing workload, and projected five-year support budget.