Our History

The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment has strong ties to rural communities and natural resource management. Founded in 1993 as Forest Community Research, the organization started in a small office in a winery located in Westwood, California. In 1996, we relocated to Taylorsville, a rural town in the Northern Sierra Nevada with a population of 154, where we continue to thrive today.

In 1997, the Sierra Institute became a nonprofit organization, and in 2005, we adopted our current name to better reflect our broader mission. From the beginning, the Sierra Institute has focused on amplifying rural voices in national discussions about natural resource management and community well-being.

A Legacy of Collaboration

In 1999, the Sierra Institute hosted important discussions with prominent environmental leaders to explore how urban, suburban, and rural communities can maintain their connections to wild and working landscapes. These dialogues featured visionaries such as:

– David Brower, the founding Executive Director of the Sierra Club and Friends of the Earth

– Wendell Berry, a renowned farmer, poet, and conservationist

– Carl Anthony, an environmental justice leader and co-founder of Urban Habitat

– Wes Jackson, a pioneer of sustainable agriculture and co-founder of the Land Institute

– Martha Davis, a water policy expert and former Executive Director of the Mono Lake Committee

These discussions continue to inform our research, education, and community work. However, they also revealed a gap in representation—specifically, the lack of perspectives from Southeast Asian mushroom harvesters, immigrant Latino forest workers, and Native American communities.

Our Home: Indian Valley 

Nestled between the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges, Indian Valley is both our home and our source of inspiration. Surrounded by alpine peaks, streams, and grazing cattle, the valley encompasses the communities of Greenville, Taylorsville, and Crescent Mills. Its serene beauty makes it ideal for scenic drives and cycling.

Indian Valley is also rich in history. The Mountain Maidu people lived in this area long before settlers arrived in the 1800s. With the arrival of settlers came mining, logging, and ranching, which continue to shape the culture of the region. This unique history and striking landscape inspire the Sierra Institute’s mission to connect people, communities, and the environment.