The Sierra Fund's Legacy

Established by five Sierra Nevada residents inspired to bring new resources to the region through increased public and private investment in restoring and protecting the natural resources and communities of the Sierra Nevada.

Selected as The Sierra Fund’s inaugural CEO, serving from 2001 to 2004, providing early leadership and vision during the organization’s foundational years.

Honored by the Sierra Nevada Alliance for exceptional commitment to environmental conservation in the region.

Honoring founding board member Sarah Forslund, an inspired advocate for conservation and community, following her unexpected passing. Administered the fund for twenty years before transferring it to the Boston Community Foundation in 2023.

Playing a pivotal role in sponsoring and supporting the bipartisan Sierra Nevada Conservancy Act, signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, to protect 25 million acres of the region.

Co-sponsored the first Sierra to Sacramento Lobby Day, which continues today as the annual “Sierra Day at the Capitol” to advocate for the Sierra region.

Incubated inside The Sierra Fund from 2004-2007, the environmental defense project of Sierra County/ High Sierra Rural Alliance goes on to score numerous important legal victories in preserving the resources of the Sierra Valley and the Sierra Buttes.

Named CEO of The Sierra Fund, serving until 2021 and shaping the organization’s advocacy, mining reform, and environmental health programs.

Initiated the effort to create a sustainable funding stream through the development of a Sierra Nevada Specialty License Plate.

Helped pass bipartisan legislation (Leslie/Laird) establishing a specialty license plate program to fund ongoing work of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.

Appointed the longest-serving Board Member, who contributed leadership and guidance until the 2024 transition to Indigenous leadership.

Released a groundbreaking report exposing the environmental and health impacts of legacy mining, prompting policy action and statewide awareness.

Supported SB 670, signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, to place an immediate moratorium on suction dredge mining pending robust environmental review by Department of Fish and Game.

Brought on board as Science Director to lead data-driven restoration and health initiatives in the Sierra. Dr. Carrie Monohan served on staff for nearly fifteen until 2024 when she left The Sierra Fund as Director of Science and Innovation to become Mooretown Rancheria of Concow-Maidu Indian’s first Director of Natural Resources.

Became fiscal sponsor of this community trail project honoring Indigenous history and environmental stewardship.

Published research exploring the hazards associated with exposure to heavy metals in dust at abandoned mine sites around Downieville, Nevada City, and Foresthill, CA.

Released Protecting Public and Environmental Health from Legacy Mining Toxins, A Primer for Local Government Officials in the Sierra Nevada providing background on the modern-day effects of historic mining in this region, and why local leaders and officials need to be aware of these impacts.

Gathered community and experts in Nevada City to address the human health and environmental impacts of over a century of mining.

Surveyed over 150 anglers and found widespread fish consumption from mercury-contaminated waterways with limited public awareness.

Hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the bridge and honoring the contributions of Chinese workers.

Marked a decade of environmental leadership with a celebration at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento.

Focused on green solutions to abandoned mines and their impact on California’s environment and health.

Won two new grants for the next phases of the Deer Creek Tribute Trail.

Successfully sponsored legislation (Rubio) to improve enforcement of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act.

Explored the viability of economically sound and ethically sourced gold markets through environmental and community lenses.

Received the William Nickerl Award from Bear Yuba Land Trust for her conservation leadership.

Received a major grant from the Department of Water Resources for water quality and supply projects in the Cosumnes, American, Bear, and Yuba regions.

Brought together policymakers and scientists to discuss mercury contamination and public health risks.

Detailed the long-term impacts of mining on community health and proposed outreach strategies.

Issued science-based recommendations after five years of research at Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park.

Held at Sacramento State, the event focused on legacy mine impacts and community health in California.

Mobilized volunteers at first annual event to post fish consumption advisories across water bodies impacted by mercury contamination.

Recognized the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan at the Deer Creek Tribute Trail bridge opening ceremony.

Sponsored legislation signed by Governor Brown requiring suction dredge miners to obtain Clean Water Act permits from the State Water Board.

Honored by the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award and California Wellness Foundation Sabbatical Award for her public service and dedication.

Awarded by the South Yuba River Citizens League for collaborative conservation achievements.

Governor Brown signed into law two significant pieces of legislation aimed at improving enforcement of California’s Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA). The Governor signed SB 209 (Pavley) and AB 1142 (Gray), two complementary bills that together represent significant reform to SMARA.

Established a standardized approach to alert communities about contaminated fish in Sierra Nevada waterways.

Advocated to help direct money from California’s 2017/2018 budget for two projects that aim to protect water quality and abate mercury contamination resulting from historic mining activities, including Nevada Irrigation District’s Combie Sediment and Mercury Removal Project. 

Ensured public participation and environmental protections during rule-making for suction dredge mining regulation.

Converged experts on forest and meadow restoration, mining remediation, and TEK integration at CSU Sacramento.

Expanded accessibility by posting advisories in Spanish during Post It Day outreach.

Initiated a 3,000-acre process-based restoration project to improve ecological health and water quality.

Recognized as Outstanding Small Project of the Year for sediment and mercury removal in Nevada Irrigation District’s reservoir.

The Sierra Fund’s Science Director Dr. Carrie Monohan co-author a peer-reviewed article accepted for publication in the journal Science of the Total Environment titled “Long-term hydraulic mining sediment budgets: Connectivity as a management tool.”

With a CNRA grant written and administered by TSF, the California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project (CHIRP) successfully acquired a 32-acre property on Deer Creek. At long last and after a multi-year acquisition process, the land had been returned to the original people of the area.

Gathered community and experts to assess local exposures and health risks in Gold Country.

Published a comprehensive regional plan targeting four key sources of mercury contamination in the Sierra.

Concluded the flagship conference series with a focus on actionable strategies for mercury source reduction.

After years of advocacy, new legislation requires clear signage at fishing locations where health risks from contamination exist.

Released new report, “Due Diligence in the Sierra Nevada Gold Country: New Tools to Remediate California’s Abandoned Mine Lands,” outlining a strategy to finally remediate California’s dangerous legacy mines so that headwater and downstream communities’ water, soil and air support healthy places to live, work, and thrive.

Stepped down to retire after leading TSF through its most impactful years of advocacy and growth.

Brought on long-time Sierra conservation leader as new Executive Director to guide TSF into its next chapter.

Held our 20-year anniversary legislative reception at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel in Sacramento, presented Izzy Martin with The Sierra Fund Award for her years of dedicated and visionary leadership.

Grizzly Creek Hydraulic Mine Sits gets first-of-its-kind forest full watershed restoration make-over with process-based restoration and biochar

Gathered over 45 Tribal leaders at the Maidu Museum in Roseville to advance Indigenous-led forest stewardship.

Released a report, Benefit-Cost Analysis of Hydraulic Mine Restoration, finding that you can greatly reduce sediment coming from headwater hydraulic mine sites through restoration and save money in operations and maintenance for downstream utilities.

Dr. Carrie Monohan departed after 15 years to become Mooretown Rancheria’s first Director of Natural Resources.

Appointed Brian Wallace (Washoe/Nisenan) as CEO and established an Indigenous-majority Board through landmark voluntary leadership transition.

Initiated Board and Staff planning to align programs, values, and governance with Indigenous values and long-term impact.

Unveiled new name and look, and renewed purpose to ignite Indigenous Guardianship in the Sierra Nevada.