Elizabeth “Izzy” Martin
CEO for nearly 20 years
Honoring our first 23 years
With deepest gratitude
As we step into a new era as the Indigenous Futures Society, we pause to express our deepest gratitude to the many individuals who have built, led, and sustained The Sierra Fund since its founding in 2001. Your vision, dedication, and courage have laid the groundwork for this transformation. We extend that same gratitude to all of our loyal donors and supporters throughout the years.
Founders and early leaders
In memoriam
- Sarah Forslund
- Michael Killigrew
- Shawn Garvey
- Janet Cohen
- John Regan
Those who believed from the beginning
With special gratitude to those who took a risk and chose to invest in our first tenuous steps:
- The Honorable Bill Newsom
- David & Kathy Welch
- John & Patty Brissenden
- John Laird
- Michael Funk
- Ken Grossman
- Terry Tamminen & Kristina Haddadat Environment NOW Foundation
- Amy Lyonsat the Goldman Fund
With deepest gratitude
The people who carried the work
With gratitude to the staff whose care, expertise, and leadership sustained The Sierra Fund.
Joan Clayburgh
Former Executive Director whose vision and foresight guided the board and staff through the transition.
Jenny “the heart” Michael
Our beloved Office Administrator and Birthday Fairy.
Beth Bordner
Our steadfast Operations and Finance wiz of many years.
Laura Carroll
Continues the work with IFS as Development and Communications Director.
Leaders across two decades
- Dr. Carrie Monohan
- Alex Keeble-Toll
- Kerry Morse
- Judy Parks
- Nick Graham
- Syd Godfrey
- Kelsey Westfall
- Amber Taxiera
And many more
Our shared legacy
A timeline of impact
Founded The Sierra Fund
Established by five Sierra Nevada residents inspired to bring new resources to the region through increased public and private investment in restoring and protecting the natural resources and communities of the Sierra Nevada.
Appointed Shawn Garvey
Selected as The Sierra Fund’s inaugural CEO, serving from 2001 to 2004, providing early leadership and vision during the organization’s foundational years.
Received the “Last Best Place Award”
Honored by the Sierra Nevada Alliance for exceptional commitment to environmental conservation in the region.
Established The Sarah Forslund Fund for Environmental Leadership
Honoring founding board member Sarah Forslund, an inspired advocate for conservation and community, following her unexpected passing. Administered the fund for twenty years before transferring it to the Boston Community Foundation in 2023.
Championed the Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Playing a pivotal role in sponsoring and supporting the bipartisan Sierra Nevada Conservancy Act, signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, to protect 25 million acres of the region.
Launched Sierra Day at the Capitol
Co-sponsored the first Sierra to Sacramento Lobby Day, which continues today as the annual “Sierra Day at the Capitol” to advocate for the Sierra region.
Incubated Environmental Defense Project of Sierra county
Incubated inside The Sierra Fund from 2004-2007, the environmental defense project of Sierra County/ High Sierra Rural Alliance goes on to score numerous important legal victories in preserving the resources of the Sierra Valley and the Sierra Buttes.
Appointed CEO Elizabeth “Izzy” Martin
Named CEO of The Sierra Fund, serving until 2021 and shaping the organization’s advocacy, mining reform, and environmental health programs.
Advanced Funding Strategy for Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Initiated the effort to create a sustainable funding stream through the development of a Sierra Nevada Specialty License Plate.
Secured Passage of AB 84
Helped pass bipartisan legislation (Leslie/Laird) establishing a specialty license plate program to fund ongoing work of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.
Welcomed Alison Harvey to the Board
Appointed the longest-serving Board Member, who contributed leadership and guidance until the 2024 transition to Indigenous leadership.
Published Mining’s Toxic Legacy Report
Released a groundbreaking report exposing the environmental and health impacts of legacy mining, prompting policy action and statewide awareness.
Secured Statewide Suction Dredge Mining Moratorium
Supported SB 670, signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, to place an immediate moratorium on suction dredge mining pending robust environmental review by Department of Fish and Game.
Hired Dr. Carrie Monohan as Science Director
Brought on board as Science Director to lead data-driven restoration and health initiatives in the Sierra. Dr. Carrie Monohan served on staff for nearly fifteen until 2024 when she left The Sierra Fund as Director of Science and Innovation to become Mooretown Rancheria of Concow-Maidu Indian's first Director of Natural Resources.
Sponsored Deer Creek Tribute Trail
Became fiscal sponsor of this community trail project honoring Indigenous history and environmental stewardship.
Released Gold Country Recreational Trails and Abandoned Mines Assessment
Published research exploring the hazards associated with exposure to heavy metals in dust at abandoned mine sites around Downieville, Nevada City, and Foresthill, CA.
Released Primer for Local Officials on Mining Toxins
Released Protecting Public and Environmental Health from Legacy Mining Toxins, A Primer for Local Government Officials in the Sierra Nevada providing background on the modern-day effects of historic mining in this region, and why local leaders and officials need to be aware of these impacts.
Hosted Inaugural Reclaiming the Sierra Summit
Gathered community and experts in Nevada City to address the human health and environmental impacts of over a century of mining.
Published Gold Country Angler Survey
Surveyed over 150 anglers and found widespread fish consumption from mercury-contaminated waterways with limited public awareness.
Opened Deer Creek Tribute Trail’s Chinese Tribute Bridge
Hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the bridge and honoring the contributions of Chinese workers.
Celebrated 10-Year Anniversary
Marked a decade of environmental leadership with a celebration at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento.
Hosted Reclaiming the Sierra 2012 Conference
Focused on green solutions to abandoned mines and their impact on California’s environment and health.
Secured New Deer Creek Tribute Trail Grants
Won two new grants for the next phases of the Deer Creek Tribute Trail.
Passed Senate Bill 143 to Strengthen Mining Laws
Successfully sponsored legislation (Rubio) to improve enforcement of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act.
Convened E3 Gold Summit
Explored the viability of economically sound and ethically sourced gold markets through environmental and community lenses.
CEO Elizabeth Martin Honored for Leadership
Received the William Nickerl Award from Bear Yuba Land Trust for her conservation leadership.
Secured $5.5 Million for CABY Watersheds
Received a major grant from the Department of Water Resources for water quality and supply projects in the Cosumnes, American, Bear, and Yuba regions.
Convened Mercury Health Summit at the Capitol
Brought together policymakers and scientists to discuss mercury contamination and public health risks.
Released Environmental Health Outreach Report
Detailed the long-term impacts of mining on community health and proposed outreach strategies.
Released Humbug Creek Watershed Assessment and Management Recommendations
Issued science-based recommendations after five years of research at Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park.
Hosted Reclaiming the Sierra 2015 Conference
Held at Sacramento State, the event focused on legacy mine impacts and community health in California.
Launched First Post It Day
Mobilized volunteers at first annual event to post fish consumption advisories across water bodies impacted by mercury contamination.
Honored Nisenan at Angkula Seo Bridge Opening
Recognized the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan at the Deer Creek Tribute Trail bridge opening ceremony.
Passed SB 637 to Regulate Suction Dredge Mining
Sponsored legislation signed by Governor Brown requiring suction dredge miners to obtain Clean Water Act permits from the State Water Board.
CEO Izzy Martin Receives Statewide Leadership Awards
Honored by the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award and California Wellness Foundation Sabbatical Award for her public service and dedication.
Recognized as SYRCL Partner of the Year
Awarded by the South Yuba River Citizens League for collaborative conservation achievements.
Passed Major SMARA Reform Legislation
Governor Brown signed into law two significant pieces of legislation aimed at improving enforcement of California’s Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA). The Governor signed SB 209 (Pavley) and AB 1142 (Gray), two complementary bills that together represent significant reform to SMARA.
Released Fish Advisory Posting Protocol
Established a standardized approach to alert communities about contaminated fish in Sierra Nevada waterways.
Directed $14 Million in State Budget to the Sierra
Advocated to help direct money from California’s 2017/2018 budget for two projects that aim to protect water quality and abate mercury contamination resulting from historic mining activities, including Nevada Irrigation District’s Combie Sediment and Mercury Removal Project.
Monitored Implementation of SB 637
Ensured public participation and environmental protections during rule-making for suction dredge mining regulation.
Hosted Reclaiming the Sierra 2017: Headwater Resiliency
Converged experts on forest and meadow restoration, mining remediation, and TEK integration at CSU Sacramento.
Posted Spanish-Language Fish Advisories
Expanded accessibility by posting advisories in Spanish during Post It Day outreach.
Launched Clover Valley Ranch Restoration Project
Initiated a 3,000-acre process-based restoration project to improve ecological health and water quality.
Combie Project Honored by Civil Engineers Society
Recognized as Outstanding Small Project of the Year for sediment and mercury removal in Nevada Irrigation District’s reservoir.
Published Peer-Reviewed Science on Mining Sediment
The Sierra Fund’s Science Director Dr. Carrie Monohan co-author a peer-reviewed article accepted for publication in the journal Science of the Total Environment titled “Long-term hydraulic mining sediment budgets: Connectivity as a management tool.”
Helped Return Deer Creek Land to Native Stewardship
With a CNRA grant written and administered by TSF, the California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project (CHIRP) successfully acquired a 32-acre property on Deer Creek. At long last and after a multi-year acquisition process, the land had been returned to the original people of the area.
Held Environmental Health Summit
Gathered community and experts to assess local exposures and health risks in Gold Country.
Released Headwater Mercury Source Reduction Strategy
Published a comprehensive regional plan targeting four key sources of mercury contamination in the Sierra.
Hosted Final Reclaiming the Sierra Conference
Concluded the flagship conference series with a focus on actionable strategies for mercury source reduction.
AB 762 for Posting Health Advisories Passed
After years of advocacy, new legislation requires clear signage at fishing locations where health risks from contamination exist.
Released Due Diligence in the Sierra Nevada Gold Country Report
Released new report, “Due Diligence in the Sierra Nevada Gold Country: New Tools to Remediate California’s Abandoned Mine Lands,” outlining a strategy to finally remediate California’s dangerous legacy mines so that headwater and downstream communities’ water, soil and air support healthy places to live, work, and thrive.
CEO Izzy Martin Retires After 16 Years
Stepped down to retire after leading TSF through its most impactful years of advocacy and growth.
Appointed Joan Clayburgh as Executive Director
Brought on long-time Sierra conservation leader as new Executive Director to guide TSF into its next chapter.
Celebrated 20 Years of Impact
Held our 20-year anniversary legislative reception at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel in Sacramento, presented Izzy Martin with The Sierra Fund Award for her years of dedicated and visionary leadership.
Implemented First-of-its-kind Hydraulic Mine Restoration
Grizzly Creek Hydraulic Mine Sits gets first-of-its-kind forest full watershed restoration make-over with process-based restoration and biochar
Held Inaugural Sierra Nevada Tribal Summit
Gathered over 45 Tribal leaders at the Maidu Museum in Roseville to advance Indigenous-led forest stewardship.
Released Benefit-Cost Analysis of Hydraulic Mine Restoration Report
Released a report, Benefit-Cost Analysis of Hydraulic Mine Restoration, finding that you can greatly reduce sediment coming from headwater hydraulic mine sites through restoration and save money in operations and maintenance for downstream utilities.
Said Farewell to Longtime Program Director Carrie Monohan
Dr. Carrie Monohan departed after 15 years to become Mooretown Rancheria’s first Director of Natural Resources.
Began Indigenous Leadership Transformation
Appointed Brian Wallace (Washoe/Nisenan) as CEO and established an Indigenous-majority Board through landmark voluntary leadership transition.
Launched Strategic Visioning Process
Initiated Board and Staff planning to align programs, values, and governance with Indigenous values and long-term impact.
Rebranded as Indigenous Futures Society
Unveiled new name and look, and renewed purpose to ignite Indigenous Guardianship in the Sierra Nevada.
Stewardship across generations
With gratitude to the Emeritus Board
With gratitude to every Emeritus Board member whose guidance and service helped carry The Sierra Fund across more than two decades.
- Adrienne Alvord
- Patty Brissenden
- Janet Cohen
- Martha Davis
- Esther Feldman
- Sarah ForslundIn memoriam
- Greg Francis
- Michael Funk
- Shawn Garvey
- Alison Harvey
- John Hellwig
- Michael KilligrewIn memoriam
- Warren Knox
- Senator John LairdFormer Secretary for CA Natural Resources Agency
- Martha Lennihan
- Robert Meacher
- Dr. Gerald Meral
- Rob Moser
- Retired Appeals Court Judge William NewsomIn memoriam
- Gary Parsons
- Drummond Pike
- John Regan
- Coleen Shade
- Dr. Lisa Thompson
- David Welch