When Alex Mas visits the southern Sierra Nevada in 25 years, he hopes he'll see much of the same landscape he does today - majestic stands of giant sequoia trees and one of the largest uninterrupted stretches of oak woodlands in the state – over a million acres of natural beauty and a rural culture that helps to maintain it. Mas is project manager for the Sequoia Foothills Project, a creative partnership between The Nature Conservancy and the Sequoia Riverlands Trust.

A Partnership Built on Common Vision

Established not only to conserve the land, the partnership is designed to preserve the unique way of life in the Sequoia Foothills. While the area's Mediterranean climate promotes great biodiversity, it is also ideal for agriculture and people. Natural habitats, crops, and human beings are all vying for the same land, air, and water.

The Nature Conservancy and Sequoia Riverlands Trust believe a healthy economy and conservation efforts can, and should, work together. Both organizations are committed to supporting the residents who have built the local economy and helped to maintain this extraordinary, open landscape.

The Conservancy's involvement will be heaviest in the beginning - as we help build local fundraising capability and assist in direct conservation action - and will taper off as the Sequoia Riverlands Trust acquires the capacity to assume long-term stewardship for the land.

"In time, I think many people will have gained a genuine appreciation for the ways that conserved, working landscapes complement the resource protection on public lands," says Mas. "I look forward to seeing a special place that will be protected for generations to come."

‣	Conserving oak woodlands: The Sierra Nevada conifer forests and foothill woodlands are among the most biologically significant and threatened areas in the world. Few other places have such extensive blue oak and interior live oak woodlands flanking high-quality river corridors. An integral part of California's landscape, the oaks play a vital role in soil development, erosion control, and air and water quality.
‣	Protecting the land that protects the water: Safeguarding watersheds and riparian systems will ensure a clean source of water for downstream residents.
‣	Maintaining wildlife corridors: Wildlife often follows waterways, which are prime areas for development. Maintaining connections for wildlife corridors along key river systems allows animals to move back and forth between protected, public mountain areas and mostly private land in the foothills.