1. What is the mission of Sequoia
Riverlands Trust?
The mission of Sequoia Riverlands Trust (SRT) is to conserve the
natural and agricultural legacy of the southern Sierra Nevada
and San Joaquin Valley.
2. Who is The Nature Conservancy, and where do they work?
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global, non-profit organization
that is active in 30 countries. The mission of TNC is to preserve
the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the
diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters
they need to survive. TNC works in all 50 states in the United
States of America, and in Asia Pacific, Canada, the Caribbean
and Latin America.
3. Why did Sequoia Riverlands
Trust choose to partner with The Nature Conservancy?
SRT and TNC have compatible conservation philosophies. Both organizations
believe in a flexible, non-confrontational, and market-driven
approach to conservation, and implement a wide range of solutions
that balance the quality of life cherished by residents, the needs
of the local economy, and conservation values. SRT and TNC also
have complementary strengths. While SRT understands the land and
local values, TNC possesses expertise in science and fundraising
that will augment the ability of SRT to conserve the beauty and
natural resources unique to the area.
4. In what ways do Sequoia Riverlands
Trust and The Nature Conservancy work together?
SRT and TNC formed a creative partnership designed to jointly
identify and achieve key conservation and fundraising goals over
the next three to five years. TNC acts as a consultant to SRT,
providing scientific expertise and on-the-ground support with
conservation projects as requested. The two organizations are
jointly developing fundraising strategies and processes, with
TNC providing additional mentoring to SRT as requested. Both organizations
strive to see SRT develop into a vital, long-term steward of the
land and a regional resource for innovative and practical conservation
solutions.
5. Why is The Nature Conservancy
interested in the southern Sierra Nevada and the San Joaquin Valley?
The Sierra Nevada conifer forests and foothill woodlands are among
the most biologically significant and threatened areas in the
world. The mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers, similar to
the Mediterranean and shared by only a handful of regions around
the world, promote great biodiversity. The region also contains
one of the largest uninterrupted stretches of oak woodlands in
California, part of over a million acres of natural beauty. Conserving
this valuable resource is vital to the continued health of California,
and provides necessary habitat for a wide variety of local flora
and fauna.
TNC strongly supports the investment made by SRT and other local
residents to promote balance between nature and the community
in this unique environment; and believes the methods implemented
in this area could serve as a model for supporting sustainable
communities in other parts of the state.
6. What are the shared conservation
goals identified through the partnership between Sequoia Riverlands
Trust and The Nature Conservancy?
SRT and TNC are committed to supporting the local residents who
have not only built the local economy, but have also helped to
maintain the scenic, open landscape. Only by viewing the vast
landscape as a whole can both natural habitat and the unique way
of life in the region be preserved. To that end, the two organizations
have also identified several specific conservation goals.
•
Conserve oak woodlands. The blue oak and interior live oak woodlands
in the southern Sierra Nevada foothills are some of the healthiest
and most extensive oak systems in California. Oak woodland systems
are an integral part of California’s historic landscape,
and play a vital role in soil development, erosion control, and
air and water quality.
• Protect
the land that protects the water. Ensuring water quantity in the
region, and maintaining a clean source of water for downstream
residents, requires protecting watersheds and riparian systems
along key river and stream corridors, particularly the Kaweah
River, Tule River, Dry Creek, and Deer Creek.
• Maintain
wildlife corridors. TNC and SRT are working to maintain connections
for wildlife corridors along key river systems, which allows animals,
like the mule dear herds, to move back and forth between public
lands in the mountain areas and the foothills.
7. What additional value does
The Nature Conservancy bring to Sequoia Riverlands Trust?
TNC has vast experience in science-based planning, and a broad
knowledge-base of best practices associated with business and
legal processes. In addition, after more than twenty-five years
of work in California, TNC brings to the alliance a long history
of forging successful partnerships with private individuals, environmental
groups, businesses, and public agencies to achieve mutually beneficial
conservation goals.
8. Where can I find more information
on Sequoia Riverlands Trust and The Nature Conservancy?
SRT media inquiries can be directed to Amy Silveira, Development
Director, at 559.738.0211. More information on TNC can be found
at www.nature.org.
Media inquiries can be directed to Shari Weaver, associate director,
marketing resource center west, at 415.281.0497.
