TRUCKEE, Calif. – Skiers, hikers and conservationists packed Alder Creek Adventure Center on Friday, drawn by a question that echoes across the Truckee-Tahoe region: how do you restore a landscape people love and still keep it open for recreation?

That question was at the center of this week’s Tahoe Donner Cross Country Winter Speaker Series, where Eben Swain, Truckee River Watershed Council project director, spoke about the recently completed restoration of Euer Valley.

TRWC completed a major restoration project in 2025, revitalizing 30 acres of meadow habitat in Euer Valley while creating infrastructure designed to allow recreation and ecosystem health to coexist in one of the area’s most beloved open spaces.

In partnership with Tahoe Donner Association, the Truckee River Watershed Council completed extensive restoration work aimed at repairing decades of ecological damage. The project restored 30 acres of high-quality meadow habitat, enhanced aquatic conditions and improved water quality throughout the valley.

Work included stabilizing 3,000 feet of the South Fork of Prosser Creek, repairing degraded streambanks, upgrading 1.5 miles of eroding roads, and installing a 150-foot bridge and boardwalk to protect sensitive habitat while maintaining public access.

“I had never built a bridge before — and I never need to build one again,” Swain joked while describing the construction challenges. “It was definitely a task.”

According to the watershed council, Euer Valley’s landscape reflects decades of logging and cattle grazing that degraded the meadow ecosystem and reduced its natural function. The restoration project aims to reverse that damage by rebuilding natural processes and creating a landscape resilient to flooding, drought and increasing recreational pressure.

“This project will help protect the resilience and beauty of our region’s ecosystems,” said Swain. “In addition to key habitat improvements, our restoration created important infrastructure so that this area can be protected — and enjoyed — for many generations to come.”

The valley sees heavy year-round use from hikers, mountain bikers, cross-country skiers and equestrians, said John Groom, director of land management for Tahoe Donner Association.

“The project protects sensitive meadow and stream habitat while still allowing people to experience Euer Valley responsibly,” said Groom. “It’s a model for balancing stewardship and recreation in the Sierra.”

The $2.85 million restoration effort reflects a regional partnership supported by the California Wildlife Conservation Board, Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, Nevada County Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund, Point Blue Conservation Science, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, Tahoe Donner Association and the Truckee River Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada.

However, restoration work in Euer Valley is not finished. Additional projects downstream of Cowboy Crossing are scheduled to begin in summer 2026, restoring another 10 acres of meadow and 3,000 feet of stream channel.