Our History

 

In 2007, five independent non-profit organizations joined forces to launch the Northern Sierra Partnership (NSP), the campaign to conserve and restore the large landscapes of the Northern Sierra Nevada. The five organizations were: The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, the Truckee Donner Land Trust, the Feather River Land Trust and the Sierra Business Council.

With development pressure rising and more land coming on the market than ever before, the partners faced a clear choice: either accelerate efforts to protect the Northern Sierra or stand by and witness the transformation of its iconic landscapes into resort communities and rural residential development. The partners rose to the challenge, launching the Northern Sierra Partnership to catalyze the energy and resources needed to conserve and restore the spectacular landscapes of the Northern Sierra.

Over the past decade, the Partnership has become the booster rocket for conservation in the Northern Sierra. Working together, the NSP partners have mobilized the human and financial resources to conserve over 112,000 acres across our region, from the rocky crags of Castle Peak

and the lush meadows of Martis Valley, to the deep forests of Independence Lake and the rich wetlands of Sierra Valley. We have also put local people to work restoring forests, streams and meadows, and helped to engage Sierra youth in the stewardship of their own environment.

But much work remains. We invite everyone who cares about the Sierra Nevada to join with us to ensure its protection.

Every iconic landscape has its “now or never” moment, when people who care either step up to take action, or live to regret their failure to do so. Today we stand in gratitude to the generations of men and women whose vision and tenacity safeguarded Yosemite, Sequoia National Park, the redwoods, Big Sur and many other spectacular places, for us and for future generations.

Now is just such a moment for the Northern Sierra. It is our turn to step up. With your help, we can and will protect the Sierra Nevada we all treasure.

How We Work

 
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1. Conserve

contiguous, healthy natural landscapes that support the diversity of plant and animal communities in the Northern Sierra, provide natural corridors for wildlife movement and recreation, maintain water quality, store carbon and protect the most beautiful and iconic places in the Northern Sierra for the enjoyment of future generations.

 
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2. Restore

the forests, rivers, streams and meadows of the Northern Sierra, enhancing their ecological condition, their resilience to disturbance like fire, flood and climate change, and their long-term productivity.

 
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3. Expand Opportunities to Enjoy

the magnificent natural assets of the Northern Sierra through investments in recreation, sustainable tourism and environmental education.

 

Who We Are

 

Photo credit: Carpenter Valley © Elizabeth Carmel | Webber Lake © John Peltier | Lake Tahoe Waterfall © Elizabeth Carmel | Sierra Valley Kayaker © Andy Wright, Lighthawk Photo