Governing Council Meets to Discuss Catalyst Awards March 21After more than 600 people-hours of careful review and scoring by five separate reviewers on the Sierra Jobs First team, the Governing Council was given access to all 47 Catalyst project applications and guidance in mid-February. On March 19, they will be casting virtual ballots and meeting on March 21 at 9 am to discuss and/or finalize votes. This meeting is open for observation by the public, however only Governing Council members will be participating in the discussion. Members of the public who wish to attend can click here to register. PLEASE NOTE: If you are a member of the Governing Council, you will be sent a unique panelist link the week of March 17. Please reach out to the Serra Jobs First team if you do not receive that link by March 20. SierraWorks.org Launches to Assist Sustainable Rec & Tourism Industry SectorIn late January, Sierra Works, an initiative led by Sierra Focus Media and the MLTPA (the Sustainable Recreation & Tourism industry sector coordinators appointed by Sierra Jobs First), launched to make it easier for the Collaborative to engage with free technical assistance for Recreation & Tourism projects. Whether you’ve applied for Catalyst funding or have a project that is aligned with the Strategic Plan, this site serves as a central hub to connect you with expert support. The goal of Sierra Works is to foster sustainable growth, support businesses, and strengthen local industries through strategic investments and collaboration. Through Sierra Works, you can access a wide range of services, including: - Recreation & Tourism Strategy Development
- Funding Alignment & Grant Application Assistance
- Outreach, Messaging, and PR Strategy Development
- Policy Consultation & Stakeholder Engagement
- GIS & Mapping, Trail Design, and Ground Truthing
Sierra Works is also convening a Working Group to bring together regional partners, businesses, and organizations to collaborate, align projects with funding, and strengthen our recreation and tourism economy. If you’re interested in joining, visit SierraWorks.org. This is just the beginning for Sierra Works. In the coming weeks, they will also be establishing a social media presence and an email list so you can stay up to date on all of the exciting projects specific to Sustainable Rec & Tourism that are happening in the Sierra Region. Other Industry workgroups and industry-specific collaborative opportunities will be announced soon. If you are interested in joining an industry workgroup or contributing to the growth of a specific industry in the Sierra region, please reach out to the Industry Sector Coordinator listed on the Team page. Recap of Governing Council Meeting to Discuss Catalyst Selection Process The Governing Council met on February 12 to receive instructions on the Catalyst voting process, plus review administrative items, including the updated Council Charter for 2025, which members will be required to sign, along with a Conflict of Interest Disclosure and Review Process Guidelines document, prior to receiving access to the Catalyst project applications. If you are a member of the Governing Council and have not yet submitted your signed materials, please do so ASAP. Meeting minutes are available here. Welcome Bella Brownwood and Jillian Pape to the Sierra Jobs First TeamThe Sierra Jobs First team at Sierra Business Council welcomed two new team members recently. Bella Brownwood brings her experience working in community organizing and sustainability projects to her role as project assistant for the Economic Empowerment team at Sierra Business Council, where she will play a key role in supporting the work of Sierra Jobs First. Bella Brownwood grew up in Nevada County’s Sierra Nevada foothills, spending her childhood hiking, swimming, and exploring nature. She graduated from Reed College in Portland, OR, with a B.A. in Environmental Studies-Chemistry, specializing in atmospheric chemistry. After college, Bella worked as a seasonal hiking and backpacking guide in Yosemite National Park for three years, where she also pursued rock climbing and made several ascents of El Capitan. Passionate about climbing, dancing, cooking, adventure, hot springs, and foraging, Bella continues to embrace the adventurous spirit of the Sierra region and outdoor stewardship in every aspect of her life, and brings that passion to her role at Sierra Business Council and Sierra Jobs First. Jillian Pape will be supporting Sierra Jobs First as a Program Assistant on SBC’s Economic Empowerment Team. Jillian has an MPH from the University of California, Berkeley, focusing on Environmental Health Sciences. Her thesis research involved looking at perspectives of rabies virus in the Eastern Cape of South Africa among community members living within and around game reserves. Her studies at UC Berkeley focused on the social determinants of health, climate change, and environmental justice. After the completion of her master’s, Jillian worked with Stanford University in the Eastern Sierra, helping with research surrounding community perspectives of land management and climate resilience in the area. Prior to her master’s, Jillian rowed for the University of Washington and graduated with a BA in Medical Anthropology, with two minors in Microbiology and Human Rights. Originally from Whidbey Island, Washington, Jillian grew up running, swimming, biking, and skiing in the North Cascades, and continues to enjoy the same activities across the Sierra Nevada. In her spare time, you can find her knitting, painting, or exploring the outdoors with friends and loved ones. | 
