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Nevada City, CA — Sierra Streams Institute (SSI) is celebrating 30 years of science-based stewardship in the Sierra Nevada, marking three decades of watershed monitoring, habitat restoration, and hands-on environmental education that has touched thousands of lives across the region.
Founded in 1995 by a small group of local citizens monitoring Deer Creek, Sierra Streams Institute has grown into a trusted regional leader in watershed science, research, restoration, and education. Over the past three decades, SSI has helped to clean up abandoned mining sites, guided salmon habitat restoration, monitored and conducted research on hundreds of miles of streams, and engaged thousands of students and volunteers in meaningful, hands-on science.
As a science-based organization, Sierra Streams Institute works side by side with the community to conduct research, learn from one another, and educate residents about what we know, what we don’t know, and what it means to live in the Sierra Nevada mountains. At the heart of this work is a core belief: we are all scientists. Everyone can observe, detect patterns, and ask meaningful questions.
SSI also emphasizes the importance of curiosity grounded in humility—encouraging people to reflect on what is already known, to understand foundational principles developed through decades of careful research, and to value collaboration and expertise. Science, at its core, is a shared process built on evidence, transparency, and continual learning.
In today’s rapidly changing world, access to reliable data and shared scientific understanding is more important than ever. Data and science themselves are apolitical and unbiased—they exist to help communities understand complex systems and make informed choices. Maintaining strong scientific institutions and open information ensures that communities can respond thoughtfully to challenges that affect public health, ecosystems, and quality of life.
“Science is a process for everyone,” said Jeff Lauder, Executive Director of Sierra Streams Institute. “It invites curiosity, careful observation, and a willingness to learn from evidence. When communities support science, they strengthen their ability to care for the places they call home.”
Please support Sierra Streams in our End-of-year campaign. Funds raised will support SSI’s mission well into the future by helping to:
- Expand environmental education for youth and adults
- Strengthen community science programs
- Advance research on watershed health and climate
Sierra Streams Institute invites community members to celebrate this milestone by making a tax-deductible year-end gift before December 31. Every donation, no matter the size, helps sustain science, stewardship, and education in the Sierra Nevada.
For more information or to support Sierra Streams Institute, visit https://sierrastreamsinstitute.org/ways-to-give.
About Sierra Streams Institute
Sierra Streams Institute is a nonprofit 5013C organization dedicated to protecting and restoring watersheds in the Sierra Nevada through science, restoration, education, and community engagement. Founded in 1995, SSI works to ensure healthy streams and rivers for families, farms, and ecosystems now and for generations to come.
