Our Mission
Sierra Partnership for Advanced Wildfire Detection (SPAWD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preventing catastrophic wildfires through earlier, smarter detection. Our company is run by Grayson Knauf and Jackson Mangiaracina. As Incline Village locals, we have witnessed the catastrophic wildfires that threaten our Sierra Mountain Range every year. In an effort to limit the dangers that fires pose in our Tahoe Basin, we have collaborated with Dryad, a company that produces wildfire detection sensors that share forest analytics which help keep our environments fire-free. Our mission is to provide the Tahoe Basin with fire detection sensors, capable of providing early alerts that mean could mean the difference between life and death.
Our Team
Grayson Knauf
Co-President
My name is Grayson, and I am a junior at Incline High School. I’m committed to strong academic performance and love exploring subjects that push me to think critically and creatively. I started this non-profit in the face of the countless wildfires raging on the west coast. It is our mission to one day protect the entire Tahoe Basin from the threat of forest fires.
Contact:
(415) 827-0789
Jackson Mangiaracina
Co-President
My name is Jackson, and I am a junior at Incline High School. I have lived in Incline Village since I was born. I enjoy mountain biking, skiing, and playing soccer. As Co-President of SPAWD, my goal is to help protect our communities, outdoor recreation, and natural ecosystems by advancing early wildfire detection and supporting proactive, science-based solutions.
Contact:
(775) 813-9652
Check out our submission video for The Bill of Rights Institute’s MyImpact Challenge.
Logan Rive
Treasurer
My name is Logan, and I am a student at Incline High School with strong interests in engineering, finance, and entrepreneurship. As treasurer of SPAWD, I help manage funds and support efforts to protect our community from wildfire risks. Through past fundraising experience with GivePower, I have learned how to lead and organize impactful projects.
Contact:
(775) 527-6693
Anthony Donahue
Secretary
My name is Anthony, and I am a junior at Incline High School. My passions include golf, skiing, and finance. I have lived in Tahoe since I was a kid and keeping the forests and surrounding areas safe and beautiful is a big passion for me. In the past, I visited a small village in Columbia where I went on a service mission to help supply rural villages with power. As the secretary of SPAWD, my mission is to give back to my community by organizing events, helping website management, and dealing with any and all inquiries about SPAWD.
Contact:
(775) 430-2096