Land and Water Guardians is the frontline program of Indigenous Futures Society, safeguarding the Sierra BioRegion through Indigenous-led conservation, cultural land management, and recognition of the Rights of Nature. Rooted in Traditional Ecological Knowledge, this program uplifts the wisdom of Indigenous Peoples to protect sacred lands, restore biodiversity, and ensure clean water and thriving habitats for all. Through Guardianship, we build regenerative models of care for both people and place—where cultural revitalization and ecological resilience move hand in hand.

The Sierra Nevada is a land of breathtaking beauty, home to ancient forests, crystal clear rivers and majestic peaks. For thousands of years this land has been tended by the First Peoples, whose deep connection to the earth has shaped a delicate balance between people and nature. But today, this balance is under threat. As environmental pressures mount and the impacts of climate change accumulate, the need for a new approach to conservation has never been more urgent. Despite their deep ties and knowledge of these lands, Tribal voices have often been excluded from environmental decision-making. As traditional conservation methods fall short in the face of accelerating ecological crises, a paradigm shift is needed—one that returns active harmonious guardianship to those who’ve cared for this region since time immemorial.

• Return Indigenous lands and waters to Indigenous hands, such as creating Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA’s)
• Support creation of and expansion of Tribal resource management and create Tribal Stewardship and Guardianship programs
• Advocate for the Rights of Nature: give voice and champion legal recognition and protections
• Create more opportunities for access to our homelands and sacred lands