Sierra communities and ecosystems face growing climate-driven threats: hotter, more severe wildfires; overgrown, drought-stressed forests; and degraded meadows and streams. These pressures undermine the Sierra’s ability to store carbon, safeguard California’s water supply, provide wildlife habitat, offer outdoor recreation, and sustain rural communities.

More than 60% of California’s animal species and half of its plant species live in the Sierra. The region supports 92 animal species of greatest conservation need and over 200 rare or endemic plants — including Earth’s oldest and largest trees. Restoring, protecting, and connecting habitats is essential to safeguarding this biodiversity.

More frequent extreme storms, prolonged droughts, and severe wildfires — all intensified by climate change — pose serious risks to Sierra Nevada ecosystems and communities. These impacts will be felt locally and by millions of downstream water users across the state. Building a climate-resilient Sierra requires sustained land stewardship, stronger habitat connectivity, and greater watershed protection.

This region plays a critical role in California’s water system: more than 75% of Californians rely on water that originates here. Snowpack provides essential natural storage, while forests and meadows help maintain water quality and reliability. Yet our headwaters are increasingly threatened by overcrowded forests, degraded meadows, and a changing climate. Protecting and restoring these watersheds is vital to safeguarding California’s water supply.

Home to some of the world’s most iconic natural features — including Yosemite Valley, Lake Tahoe, the giant sequoias, and the Eastern Sierra — the region draws visitors from across the nation and around the globe. The future of outdoor access in the Sierra is inseparable from the health of its ecosystems.

Since time immemorial, Tribal Nations in the Sierra have maintained reciprocal relationships with the land, sustaining enduring legacies of biological diversity and abundance. The 30×30 initiative is helping to change history by supporting Tribal-led efforts to protect nature and by investing in initiatives that restore Tribes’ traditional roles as guardians of the Sierra’s lands and waters.

Your involvement is vital to protecting the Sierra Nevada’s landscapes and meeting 30×30 goals. Together we can preserve natural areas, restore habitats, and build climate-resilient communities. Contact us to learn how you can help.

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