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Why Now?

The Sierra Nevada has lost over 65% of its alpine meadows in the past 200 years, largely due to human activities. These high-altitude meadows are crucial for California’s water supply, acting as natural reservoirs that capture snowpack runoff and rainfall. They feed six major rivers, support thousands of dams, and provide water to more than 33 million people, including California’s Central Valley farmlands. Beyond water, these meadows absorb carbon, serve as habitats for diverse species, and create natural wildfire barriers. As snowpack declines and weather patterns shift, it’s urgent to restore these meadows and riparian corridors, especially near communities and roads. Every acre restored helps preserve California’s water supply and protect its ecosystems for the future.

Why Us?

At JMT Wilderness Conservancy, we focus on restoring Sierra Nevada meadows along the John Muir Trail, a 214-mile stretch of wilderness that includes some of California’s most important natural areas. Since 2018, we’ve restored meadows and riparian terrain damaged by recreational use and extreme weather events. Our advanced Monitoring Program, powered by a dedicated team of students and experienced field managers, ensures precise data collection to guide our restoration efforts. In 2024, we adopted the innovative Lost Meadows Model, using AI-enabled satellite imaging and LiDAR technology to map and then reclaim the historic scope of our meadows . By partnering with tribal ecologists and using sustainable land management practices, we are greatly expanding these critical ecosystems.

Unlike larger organizations, JMT Wilderness Conservancy is agile, with the ability to act quickly on restoration projects. From re-routing trails to restoring riverbanks, we work efficiently with a focus on hands-on, impactful restoration. Backed by a network of scientists and restoration experts, we’re committed to protecting California’s watersheds, meadows and wilderness for future generations.