Sierra Nevada Alliance

Connect & Protect  

The Sierra Nevada is rich in natural resources. It produces 60% of California’s water supply and supplies the state with 50% of its hydroelectric energy. Wildlife and biodiversity is abundant with 3500 plant, 572 animal, and 321 aquatic species.  Despite the incredible importance of the Sierra's contributions to California Ecosystems, the region lacks the resources and funds necessary to protect and restore the natural ecosystem. The Sierra is often overlooked by lawmakers and misses out on funding that instead is directed to areas with higher population density.

Who we are: Sierra Nevada Alliance is a hub for stewardship of the Sierra Nevada. We unite people and organizations to protect Sierra Nevada ecosystems and communities. We work together to ensure that every ecosystem and community is healthy, resilient, and collectively cared for as a legacy for future generations.

Our Priorities

• Workforce development: We train expert conservation leaders for the region and provide crucial staffing capacity for environmental organizations through three workforce development programs (Ambassadors, AmeriCorps, and Forest Fellows) which feed into each other as a career pathway. 
• Healthy forests: We work to support and restore healthy forest ecosystems and protect them from threats of development, wildfire, climate change, and disease. 
• Watershed and land stewardship and conservation: We drive efforts to restore and conserve Sierra Nevada watersheds and land, which are the lifeblood of Sierra ecosystems and communities. 
• Climate change: We provide technical and grassroots support to communities throughout the Sierra to mitigate climate change and build resilience to its impacts. 
• Sustainable recreation: We raise awareness about the Sierra Nevada as a biodiverse and natural resource-rich region and encourage responsible recreation for a sustainable future. 

Our Programs

Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP): Entering its 17th year serving the Sierra, the SNAP program places AmeriCorps members with partner conservation organizations throughout the Sierra. Last year over 30 Members restored and monitored watersheds, educated Sierra residents and visitors, and managed volunteer stewardship events. 

Sierra Corps Forestry Fellowship Program: Sierra Corps is a workforce development program that increases the capacity of land managers, local agencies, and nonprofits to work together in planning, funding, and implementing forest health and wildfire prevention projects. We aim to mentor and develop future leaders in the Sierra’s forest health industry.

Coordinated advocacy and 30x30: We facilitate increased conservation funding for the region, support important environmental protections and mobilize grassroots within the conservation community. As part of a global movement, we coordinate the Sierra Nevada's efforts to permanently conserve, connect and restore an additional 30% land, water, and wildlife-- a Bill establishing these priorities for California was signed into law by Gavin Newsome this year. 

Climate action: Our SNAP Members and Forestry Fellows have been working to mitigate the impacts of climate change throughout the Sierra while simultaneously we create policy meetings the Capitol through our advocacy work to prevent the loss of more resources. Last year, our CivicSpark Fellow presented a resolution to the City of South Lake Tahoe to aspire towards 100% carbon-free electricity, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by 2030. The innovative resolution was unanimously passed.

Lake Tahoe Ambassador Program: Our Lake Tahoe Ambassador Program continues to share messages and tools to combat litter, dog waste, and illegal campfires. Our Ambassadors were recognized with a Certificate of Honor by Governors Newsom and Sisolak for the second year in a row. 

Community engagement and events: We work to engage and educate locals and visitors alike about the Sierra Nevada, the environmental challenges the range faces, and how to get involved. We have a large Member Group network with a variety of conservation organizations region wide to help build capacity and resources together and support one another. From community cleanups to environmental film festivals, stewardship messaging, and widespread resource sharing, we offer opportunities for everyone.