Our Story
The Foothill Conservancy was launched with potluck dinners on Amador and Calaveras county residents’ back decks in 1989. We held our first public meeting in October 1989 and incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1990.
Since then, our community-based, grassroots, regional conservation group has successfully worked for more than 30 years to protect, restore, and sustain the natural and human environment in the Central Sierra for the benefit of current and future generations. What began as a small group of concerned citizens has grown into a resilient, award-winning organization with a strong record of accomplishment.
1989 Founded by local residents
Held first public meeting, October 1989, Senior Center, Jackson. From there to here—One Foothill Conservancy founder’s story
October 8, 20201990 Became a nonprofit corporation, elected first board
Planted 52 trees in Sutter Creek for Earth Day. Helped create Amador (now Mother Lode) Land Trust. Won first prize for Amador County Fair window. Published first newsletter, Foothill Focus.
October 8, 20201990- 2003 Cleaned up Adopt-A-Highway section in Amador County
Highway Cleanup Project Ends
October 8, 20201993-1994 Hosted presentation by legendary environmentalist David Brower
Gave Environmental Citizenship awards to four girls in Ione who spoke up against clearcutting of local oak woodland, and donated oak trees to Ione Elementary. Helped local citizens with Measure […]
October 8, 20201998 Focus named among Best in the West small group newsletters by High Country News
Sponsored Calaveras Community Renewal Project with Sierra Nevada Alliance; led to creation of Blue Mountain Community Renewal Council . Protected 7,600 acres in southern El Dorado County (with Plymouth and […]
October 8, 20202000 Signed historic agreement for PG&E’s hydro license on the Mokelumne
Received, with PG&E and others, the POWER Award for PG&E settlement, from Public Officials for Water and Environmental Reform. Celebrated the opening of the Middle Bar reach of the Mokelumne […]
October 8, 20202001 Launched NewsNotes e-news service
Received Friends of the River’s Peter H. Behr Award for Mokelumne River Conservation. Held first annual spring fundraising dinner in the Shenandoah Valley.
October 8, 20202002 Ensured that N. Fork Mokelumne was included in Sen. Boxer’s California Wild Heritage Act
Published Tools for Protecting Open Space in Amador County. Helped revise Amador County cell tower ordinance. Published river and watershed principles. Hosted presentation by former State Senator Patrick Johnston.
October 8, 20202003 Participated in removal of West Panther Creek Dam
Celebrated the opening of the Middle Bar boating takeout. Published land use and development principles.
October 8, 20202004 Helped stop latest Middle Bar Dam proposal
Worked to help establish the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.
October 8, 20202005 Opened first office and hired first executive director, Chris Wright
Entered agreement to help conserve New York Ranch Reservoir.
October 8, 20202007 Cosponsored CEQA workshops in Sutter Creek
Cosponsored community planning workshops in Valley Springs. Published infrastructure planning and development principles.
October 8, 20202008 Stopped illegal expansion of Plymouth pipeline
Awarded first Gordon Miller Scholarship to Erik Payton. Congratulated VP Pete Bell on being named Restorationist of the Year by Salmonid Restoration Federation. Cosponsored Williamson Act workshop, Valley Springs. Helped […]
October 8, 20202009 Fought Home Depot and Wicklow; projects withdrawn
Expanded Mokelumne River Wild and Scenic support list to include 100 businesses and more than 3,000 individuals. Helped plan regional Smart Growth conference held in Tuolumne County. Held first annual […]
October 8, 20202010 20th Anniversary Celebration
Tim Palmer “Rivers of California” presentation, Jackson.
October 8, 20202011 Wild and Scenic Wine Release Party
Bluegrass for the Moke! Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum in concert.
October 8, 20202012 Over Troubled Waters film showing and panel discussion
More Bluegrass for the Moke! Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum in concert.
October 8, 20202013 Reel Paddling Film Festival
Film showing: “Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time”.
October 8, 20202016 Fall Harvest Festival, Feist Wines Tasting Room, Sutter Creek
Laurie Lewis and the Rights Hands concert, Mokelumne Hill.
October 8, 20202018 Negotiated settlement of Foothill Conservancy’s lawsuit challenging the Amador County General Plan
An Evening with John Muir, Mokelumne Hill. An Afternoon with John Muir, Angels Camp. Celebrate Fall! Volcano Union Inn. Obtained California State Wild and Scenic Designation for 37 miles of […]
October 8, 20202019 Co-sponsored CEQA Workshop for local agencies staff, attorneys, and planners
John McCutcheon concert, Mokelumne Hill.
October 8, 20202020 30th Anniversary Celebration
January – John McCutcheon w/ Red Tail Ring benefit concert in Angel’s Camp/Calaveras. March – Shifted to virtual operations due to COVID 19 Pandemic. Launched Virtual Summer Auctions. Launched new […]
October 8, 2020