CWI is working towards establishing its headquarters in the Lake Tahoe area, which has the infrastructure to support the Institute and is at the forefront of bi-state cooperation to limit wildfire hazards and improve forest health. Though we will be headquartered in the Tahoe basin, ensuring consideration of regional differences in fire regimes, risks, and policy needs is a top priority of the Institute. Given the focus on science-to-policy and science-to-action initiatives, convening workshops that bring constituents together to enact solutions will be critical, and Lake Tahoe is an ideal place to bring people together.

On October 25, 2022, the Placer County Board of Supervisors voted to approve entering into a non-exclusive right to negotiate an agreement with CWI for the use of the former Tahoe City Fire Station 51 building. This agreement is an excellent step towards furthering potential redevelopment of the fire station and deepening the partnership between CWI and other community partners.

During the meeting, Stephanie Holloway, Placer County Deputy County Executive Officer, shared the history of the community engagement process around using the fire station. She emphasized that the county has focused on engaging stakeholders and key partners over many years to “work together to advance a framework that promotes a “common” mission and vision for the future of this unique and highly valued property within the heart of Tahoe City and the Tahoe Basin.”

Illustration of stakeholder meeting outcomes.

CWI believes that–together with community partners, local business owners, and other stakeholders–we can put forward a vision for the fire station redevelopment that achieves community goals while also aligning with and showcasing CWI’s mission. 

“The Tahoe Basin is a world-class space and a place from which we all derive inspiration, but also where we can see the on-the-ground impacts of climate change and activities we are doing to address them,” said Caroline Godkin, CWI’s Executive Director. “For me, the exciting opportunity would be to create a space to convene, educate, and create connections between academia, policymakers, practitioners, and critically, the communities living in the Basin.”