Why a Watershed-Wide Approach?

We work across the greater Yosemite region because the entire Tuolumne Watershed is inextricably connected. Forest health determines water quality downstream. Flows in the lower River affect keystone species like salmon, which provide nutrients for soil that grows food in the valley, driving a thriving economy.

When floodplains are healthy, homes and communities are better protected against floods and drought. When parks provide green space and recreation opportunities, people connect more deeply to their surroundings, sparking an interest in advocating for policies that will protect these landscapes. Our communities are only as healthy as the environment they inhabit. We are working to build a collective vision that brings more balance and resilience to this remarkable watershed

Our education, advocacy, restoration, and recreation programs in three key regions of the watershed support communities, ecosystems, and economies that thrive

Greater Yosemite Region: We are working to restore meadows, forests, and landscapes that have been decimated by wildfire and are susceptible to future fire. By building resilience back into the land, we are investing in future generations’ ability to enjoy the same benefits we have: clean water, play, the wonder of walking through cathedral forests, and so much more We are also investing in the communities adjacent to the forest that rely on it for economic prosperity, jobs, and tourism

Central Valley: Our work in this region is focused on providing access and recreation opportunities to local communities, empowering youth and families, to feel connected and become stewards of the Tuolumne, and building grassroots power that drives innovative policymaking. We restore floodplains, build new parks, offer access to recreation opportunities, and tackle some of the most pressing environmental justice issues in partnership with the residents of riverside communities where we work.

Bay Area:

We advocate for policies that improve flows on the Tuolumne, which have far reaching effects on the greater Bay-Delta ecosystem These decadeslong proceedings, such as the State Water Quality Control Board’s Bay- Delta Plan, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s licensing of two key dams on the River, in addition to water use efficiency and smart water management throughout the Bay Area, affect the present and future health of the watershed. Educating Bay Area residents about their water source – the Tuolumneand our efforts to protect the River’s ecosystems while advocating for innovative water policy to support those systems are at the forefront of our work in this region