Homewood partnered with local company Integrated Environmental Restoration Services, Inc. (IERS) to develop a watershed improvement plan focused on identifying key erosion sources through the watershed, prioritizing on-mountain restoration efforts, and directly measuring sediment reductions to determine the return on investment.
The project included resulted in the removal and restoration of nearly 3,000,000 square feet (3.3 miles) of unpaved old roads, which has resulted in an estimated reduction of over 60 tons of sediment runoff. Rather than simply revegetating disturbed areas, the project goals addressed soil health, maximizing infiltration, and supporting self-sustaining vegetation communities.
Homewood’s approach to both road and forest restoration relies on an adaptive management model and the resort team uses comprehensive monitoring for effectiveness to help inform restoration efforts around the Region. This project would not have been so successful without the help of Integrated Environmental Services, Midkiff & Associates Consulting, and of course, the entire Homewood Mountain Resort Staff.
The results of this collaborative project earned Homewood a “Best in the Basin” award from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, under the “Restoration” category. For full press release, click here.
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The National Ski Area Association has bestowed Homewood Mountain Resort with its prestigious Golden Eagle award at their annual conference on May 1 in Palm Springs, Calif. The award recognizes exemplary environmental performance in the ski resort industry, placing Homewood alongside an exclusive group of environmentally responsible and forward-thinking resorts.
Established in 1993, the Golden Eagle Awards for Environmental Excellence is the highest honor a ski resort can receive for environmental performance. The awards honor members of the National Ski Area Association, which represents the majority of the ski area owners and operators in North America. Homewood’s Golden Eagle award is the first to a California-based resort since 1996, and recognizes Homewood’s innovative watershed management and water-quality monitoring work performed since 2006. More information on these specific efforts can be found in the Environmental Programs section, above.
Homewood has also been honored with the state of California’s highest environmental award – the GEELA – for its on-mountain watershed restoration work. “The award recognizes the creative solutions and transformation results that Californians are achieving on some of our most significant environmental challenges,” said Matt Rodriquez, California Secretary for Environmental Protection. “Their successful approaches demonstrate that we can create a sustainable environment while also promoting a vibrant economy.”