The Sierra Fund is now 
Indigenous Futures Society.
News and project updates from 2010.
23 November 2010 – The California Regional Water Quality Board recently released an updated 303(d) list designating even more Sierra Nevada streams and reservoirs as being impaired for mercury. The vast majority of mercury…
High Sierra Rural Alliance recently announced that they have reached a settlement with Sierra County, agreeing to zoning code updates. The Sierra Fund is proud to have loaned money for this important legal effort…
From the BLM Contacts: Kevin Flynn, 202-912-7417; Adam Merrill, 202-912-7044 7 October 2010 - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today announced an initiative to reach out to mining claim holders to mitigate abandoned…
Nearly 300 People Attend Reclaiming the Sierra Nov. 8 - 9 at the Miners Foundry in Nevada City California 10 November 2010, NEVADA CITY – The Sierra Fund this week held the first annual…
It is only two days until The Sierra Fund’s conference “Reclaiming the Sierra: A Community Summit on Mining Impacts” planned for November 8 & 9 in Nevada City, CA. Excitement about the event is…
The Sierra Fund strongly supports passage of Proposition 21, the Californians for State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Initiative on the November 2, 2010 ballot. The Sierra Fund Board endorsed this proposition early, back when…
Please join local tribes and community members for this special weekend to celebrate native peoples. The Sierra Fund will be there! There are several events open to the public: FRIDAY:6:00pm – 7:30pm Indigenous Peoples…
Registration is open now for “Reclaiming the Sierra: A Community Summit on Mining Impacts” November 8-9, 2010 at the Miners Foundry in Nevada City. The Community Summit will focus on the positive actions that…
The Sierra Environmental Services Directory is a new, free resource is designed to connect landowners who have environmental contamination problems with the scientific, legal and financial expertise they need to clean up their properties.…
Last month, TSF’s Community Organizer Mike Thornton attended a meeting organized by Trout Unlimited, bringing together legislators, experts and groups working on abandoned mine reclamation across the country. Mike reports: “It’s not easy to…
The Sierra Fund is calling for students to enter posters for an exhibit and competition that will be part of our upcoming conference “Reclaiming the Sierra: Gold Country Community Summit on Mining Impacts” to…
SYRCL’s 13th Annual “Greater Yuba Clean-Up and Restoration Day”Rally Round the River on Saturday, September 25, 2010 The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) announces the upcoming 13th annual “Greater Yuba Clean-Up and Restoration…
The US EPA Brownfields Program has released a request for proposals for their fiscal year 2011 Assessment, Cleanup, and Revolving Loan Fund grants. These grants may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum…
Update your calendars! The date has been changed for The Sierra Fund’s Reclaiming the Sierra: A Community Summit on Mining Impacts. It is now scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, November 8-9 (NOT Oct 5-6).…
18 August 2010, NEVADA CITY – The Sierra Fund is excited to announce that Dr. Jane Hightower will be a keynote speaker at our November conference Reclaiming the Sierra: A Gold Country Community Summit…
The Sierra Fund’s 2009 Annual Report is now available online. What a year—check it out for our program victories, finances, grants and loans made, and dedicated donors. From CEO Elizabeth Martin: As money got…
The following article, by The Sierra Fund’s Science Director Carrie Monohan, was published by the CA State Rural Health Association in their June edition of the Rural Health Advocate. The final report from this…
On Tuesday, June 22, 2010 The Sierra Fund released our new study Gold Country Recreational Trails and Abandoned Mines Assessment examining potential exposure to toxic dust contaminants including lead, arsenic and other hazardous materials…
The Sierra Fund has released a new document that summarizes the key issues confronting local government officials with legacy mining in their jurisdiction. This is part of a toolbox we are building to help…
The Sierra Fund is pleased to announce the receipt of a $10,000 grant to work with rural Sierra clinics to help evaluate environmental exposure. Funded by a grant from the California Environmental Protection Agency,…
The Sierra Fund is proud to announce that Gray Brechin has agreed to speak at the upcoming “Community Mining Summit” planned for November 8 and 9, 2010 (note new dates!) in Nevada City, California.…
This month, the State Water Resources Control Board released the final report for its two-year study of contaminants in sport fish from CA lakes and reservoirs. Mercury was found to be the top contaminant…
The following alert is forwarded from EARTHWORKS: Urge the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce mercury pollution from gold mines Tell the EPA: improve the rules to get toxic mercury out of our air! Dear…
Nearly every form of government in the historic mining regions of California experiences some sort of impact from legacy mining. This document summarizes the key issues that confront local government officials with legacy mining in their jurisdiction, and provides an outline for how to meet the ongoing challenges they face.
SACRAMENTO, 22 June 2010 – Today on the West Steps of the State Capitol, The Sierra Fund released the Gold Country Recreational Trails and Abandoned Mines Assessment, which documents that outdoor enthusiasts including Off…
NEVADA CITY, 13 May 2010 – Today, The Sierra Fund is publishing a working document to guide collaboration among the many entities working to address legacy mining contamination in the Sierra Nevada. Building a…
SAN FRANCISCO, 12 May 2010 - Yesterday, Senator Dianne Feinstein's Appropriations Requests for Fiscal Year 2011were published. Included in her Environmental Protection Agency requests is $3 million for Nevada Irrigation District's Combie Reservoir Sediment…
WASHINGTON, DC, 6 May 2010 – In a strongly worded report released Thursday, May 6, 2010, the President’s Cancer Panel addresses what has been ignored far too long: cancer caused by toxins in our…
The Sierra Nevada License Plate Campaign Coordinating Committee has formally suspended the effort to establish a new Sierra Nevada License Plate (SNLP). This action occurred after the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board of Directors voted…
NEVADA CITY, 13 May 2010 - The Sierra Fund's Science Director, Dr. Carrie Monohan, has been selected to receive a fellowship to attend 2042 Today: Young Leaders Re-Imagining Conservation, a retreat cosponsored by Center…
Dozens of Sierrans made their way to the California State Capitol for the annual Sierra Day in the Capitol on April 15, 2010. This year’s event was well attended with over 50 participants from…
A “Mining Toxins Working Group” was formed from leading scientists, regulators, health professionals, local government officials, tribal leaders and conservationists. The Mining Toxins Working Group met for three days to discuss the most effective way to support education, outreach, leadership and collaboration between government, business, and scientific community in an effort to address the many facets of mining’s toxic legacy in California.
Conference proceedings and follow up materials from Reclaiming the Sierra 2010, including PowerPoint presentations, notes, and much more are available here. Click here to view the conference program. Click here to download the 2010…
The Sierra Fund's 2009 IRS Form 990.
Register Today for Sierra Day in the Capitol Sierra Day in the Capitol, to be held on Wednesday, April 14 in the State Capitol, is only two weeks away. Use this link today to…
TSF welcomes new Board member, Dr. Lisa Thompson The Sierra Fund is proud to announce that Dr. Lisa Thompson has joined our Board of Directors. Dr. Thompson is an Associate Specialist in Cooperative Extension,…
USDA Rural Jobs Forum Report Recently The Sierra Fund participated in series of forums put on by USDA to seek input on how to assist rural California communities with economic development. Staff member Mike…
Preserving a Sense of Place: California Preservation Foundation Conference to be held in Nevada City, May 12 – 15, 2010 The California Preservation Foundation has chosen to hold its annual conference this year in…
SACRAMENTO, 10 March 2010 – Prior to the creation of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, organizations interested in the well-being of the Sierra Nevada began an annual Sierra Day in the Capitol to advocate for…
NEVADA CITY, 10 March 2010 – Nearly 15 months after the State of California announced that they were “freezing” the funds for the Tribute Trail project in Nevada City, the project is now ready…
Mark your calendar—This October, The Sierra Fund will be convening the first-ever Community Summit on Historic Mining Impacts in the Sierra Nevada. This public event, to be held October 5-6, 2010 in Nevada City,…
SACRAMENTO, 10 March 2010 – Earlier this year, as part of the 2010-2011 Budget for the State of California, the Governor proposed an operating budget of approximately $4.5 million for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy,…
The Sierra Fund is launching into the decade with a new online presence on Facebook and Twitter. We are excited about these new opportunities to publish our news, and interact with YOU! Please take…
NEVADA CITY, 4 March 2010 – On Tuesday, March 2nd The Sierra Fund unveiled a new guide for land trusts and other land and water conservation organizations on how historic mining issues affect their…
The Sierra Fund created this document to summarize the key issues that confront nonprofit organizations facing legacy mining issues in their communities. The Primer answers three key questions: What are the modern-day effects of historic mining in the Sierra Nevada? Why do nonprofit organizations need to be aware of these impacts? What can nonprofits do to respond to legacy mining hazards in their communities?
NEVADA CITY, 26 January 2010 – The Sierra Fund’s Mining’s Toxic Legacy Initiative is rolling forward into 2010 with several new commitments from long-time funders! The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF), a Mining Initiative funder…
NEVADA CITY, 26 January 2010 – The Sierra Fund is pleased to welcome our newest staff member, Science Director Carrie Monohan, Ph.D. “Dr. Monohan has an excellent reputation for both her scientific expertise and…
NEVADA CITY, 26 January 2010 – If you live, work or recreate in the Sierra and are concerned about how water quality is being improved and maintained in national forests in California, then The…
At its December Board of Directors meeting, The Sierra Fund voted to support this important initiative to provide sorely needed, sustainable funding for the State Parks system. Supporters Launch Volunteer Signature-Gathering Campaign For Ballot…
SACRAMENTO -- Secretary of Resources Mike Chrisman has announced that he will leave his post as of February 1, 2010 after serving as Secretary for six years under Governor Schwarzenegger. To fill his position,…
My Water Quality Web Portal: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/mywaterquality/ This web portal, hosted by the California Water Quality Monitoring Council, offers interactive maps that present State data on water quality, fish consumption advisories, safe swimming, and other…
From The Sierra Nevada Alliance The Sierra Nevada Alliance would like to congratulate and thank the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board and Staff for providing the leadership, vision and forum for regional action on climate…
By SCOTT SONNER, Associated Press Writer RENO, 19 January 2010 (AP) – Conservationists, labor leaders and others launched a petition drive Tuesday to raise taxes on Nevada's mining industry, claiming it doesn't pay its…
