Myanmar delegation visits forest thinning projects in Lake Tahoe

Seven delegates from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar stopped by Lake Tahoe last week to learn about the Forest Service’s role in natural resource management in the Tahoe Basin.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management (LTBMU) hosted the group and took them on a field trip to see recent forest thinning operations near Pope Beach and Emerald Bay.

While out there, LTBMU Fuels Battalion Chief Kyle Jacobson and Timber Management Officer Robert Guebard showed taught them about forest health and the benefits that forest thinning projects provide to the forest and surrounding communities and the importance of removing excess vegetation that can feed wildland fires.

The delegation two days in Reno and Lake Tahoe and their visit was made possible through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and was coordinated by the University of Nevada Reno’s Northern Nevada International Center (NNIC).

In the photo above: Left to Right, Su Hlaing Myint, Swe Zin Phyo, Thin Thin Aung, Thurein Htun, Bawk La, Timber Management Officer Robert Guebard, Interpreter San Ohn, Fuels Battalion Chief Kyle Jacobson, Soe Shwe, Public Affairs Specialist Lisa Herron and Mya Nandar Thin. .

Launched in 1940, the IVLP supports U.S. engagement with countries around the world in order to cultivate lasting relationships by connecting current and emerging leaders with their American counterparts. Each year nearly 5,000 exchange participants come to the U.S. on the IVLP.

The objective of NNIC is to foster better understanding between people through public diplomacy programs and serve as a resource for local residents as well as visitors interested in international activities and events. Key programs include organizing programs for international visitors through the U.S. State Department and other federal agencies, providing interpretation and translation services in over 60 languages and organizing educational events and activities for the university and general community.

To learn more about IVLP and NNIC, visit https://eca.state.gov/ivlp/about-ivlp and https://www.unr.edu/nnic.