"Saving The Sierra: Voices of Conservation in Action" is a multi-year project that uses storytelling, radio and the Internet to explore Sierra Nevada conservation issues. Through public radio programming on National Public Radio, a website, and a public “StoryBooth,” residents of the Sierra Nevada region describe their efforts to conserve the “Range of Light.”  Sierra College is a partner in the project, along with the Sierra Fund and the Sierra Nevada Alliance.

Saving The Sierra is funded by a major grant from the California Council for Humanities as part of their California Documentary Project.

The 2-year project is co-directed by Peabody award-winning public radio editor and producer Catherine Stifter of Nevada City and educator, media-maker and community development practitioner jesikah maria ross of Davis.

"The stories of people in rural areas typically don't make their way onto the airwaves. But getting those stories out to the public is so important. That's why we're producing both public radio and web-based stories. There are 2 million people here and many decisions affecting us are made in Sacramento. People in the Sierra need a way to communicate not only our concerns, but also our experiences, hopes and dreams." Stifter said.

"The idea isn't to divide people into conservationists and others, but to broaden the conversation. Everyone loves this land. My hope is that in being able to hear other's stories, people will recognize their shared values and that this realization will enable them to envision a future together," said ross.

In September, October and November, the regional media project will send its Storybooth up and down the Sierra to gather stories at festivals, conferences, and pow wows.  The Storybooth provides a unique opportunity for people who know and love the Sierra to record brief audio "postcards" about their favorite places in the Sierra Nevada.  Participation is free and open to the public. The project welcomes anyone with opinions about what needs to be done to save the quality of life in the Sierra--including how to sustain rural communities, preserve regional heritage, history and culture and conserve open space, clean water and air and wildlife habitats. (See the Storybooth schedule below.)

The project website ( http://www.savingthesierra.org ) will eventually stream about 100 audio stories gathered by Sierra College interns who were trained in digital recording and photography and are traveling with the Storybooth this fall. The site is live with a sampling of stories and a calendar of Storybooth venues. A blog will launch in October in conjunction with the broadcast of public radio features produced by Catherine Stifter and jesikah maria ross.

Through the Center for Sierra Nevada Studies, Sierra College’s role was to design and develop the website and to manage the mobile Storybooth. The college purchased the mobile recording equipment that will (at the conclusion of the project) be available for any campus recording projects, such as oral histories.  Sierra College also designed the project logo, some promotional materials, and arranged for the web hosting.

Founded in 2002, The Sierra College Center for Sierra Nevada Studies provides public programs to examine the art, history, natural history, and policy issues of the Sierra Nevada and foothills regions. The Center also produces the Sierra Nevada Virtual Museum (SNVM). SNVM is a multimedia, interactive online museum located at www.sierranevadavirtualmuseum.com. Sierra Nevada Virtual Museum is a project of Sierra College students, faculty, and staff; The Center for Sierra Nevada Studies; and the Sierra Nevada regional community. Sierra Nevada Virtual Museum is a nonprofit, educational website maintained for the education and enlightenment of the public.

Saving The Sierra: Voices of Conservation in Action is funded in part by the California Council for the Humanities, through their California Stories Initiative, an ongoing grant line that seeks to create enduring images and sounds of contemporary California life. Visit http://www.californiastories.org