We are thrilled to announce that Matthew Moore, a distinguished member of the Nisenan and Washoe communities, has joined The Sierra Fund as our Program Executive alongside Rebecca Allen, Ph.D.

Matthew brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his new role. A former Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the United Auburn Indian Community, he has been a vital advocate for protecting cultural sites and promoting Indigenous stewardship. He has led efforts to preserve sacred landscapes, integrate traditional ecological knowledge into land management practices, and ensure the ongoing protection of cultural heritage. He also holds 30+ years of leadership conducting “Good Fire” – cultural burning – and emergency response and preparedness initiatives. He is a native plant traditionalist.

In his new role with The Sierra Fund, Matthew will lead the organizations efforts to integrate traditional ecological knowledge, cultural practices, and Indigenous stewardship principles into land guardianship and emergency preparedness strategies. Matthew will guide The Sierra Fund’s efforts to honor and uphold the sacred relationships between Indigenous peoples, land, and water. His work will focus on advancing Indigenous-led programs for land guardianship, cultural preservation, and community resilience. He will collaborate closely with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community leaders to ensure that our initiatives reflect and respect traditional values while fostering connection and sustainability.

Position Overview
As Co-Program Executive of Indigenous Lands, Water, and Culture, Matthew will:

• Lead the integration of traditional ecological knowledge into land guardianship practices.
• Collaborate on community-driven watershed protection, cultural mapping, cultural burning, and sacred site stewardship.
• Develop programs to promote intergenerational knowledge transfer and land-based education.
• Protect and preserve cultural heritage while advocating for policies that honor Indigenous perspectives.

Matthew’s background exemplifies the expertise and deep-rooted connection needed for this role. In addition to his work as a preservation officer, he has participated in initiatives like the Sierra Nevada Tribal Summit and watershed restoration projects, always emphasizing the importance of Indigenous leadership in protecting and nurturing the land.

With Matthew’s leadership, The Sierra Fund looks forward to strengthening our partnerships with Indigenous communities, deepening our land and water guardianship program, and fostering a future where cultural and ecological resilience go hand in hand.

Please join us in welcoming Matthew Moore to The Sierra Fund – and stay tuned – Matt’s headshot and bio will be coming to our website soon!