Sierra Streams Institute

Description

Sierra Streams Institute is a regional watershed science organization based in Nevada City, California, dedicated to increasing watershed stewardship capacity throughout the Sierra Nevada region and beyond. Much of our work takes place in the watershed of Deer Creek-a major tributary of the Yuba River, which drains to the Feather River, the Sacramento River, and ultimately the San Francisco Bay- Sierra Streams Institute is a vitally important voice in the regional scientific community. We work with local, state, and federal agencies as well as universities and community groups to find solutions to the problems that afflict other watersheds throughout the region that share the challenges resulting from a century and a half of gold mining, development, and agriculture. Sierra Streams Institute's emphasis on rigorous science and consistent data collection provides the basis for restoration decisions and makes us an especially valuable partner of local and state government agencies who lack the funding and capacity to gather their own data. From experience, we have learned that in addition to conducting research, it is imperative to impart an understanding of the issues we are studying to the public and to work closely with local government entities to solve local problems. This approach enables the public to contribute an educated guiding voice to the governing process. As an organization, we have chosen to accomplish this task through education and involvement rather than political means.