Past Projects

The Westwood Survey

The Sierra Institute partnered with the Westwood Chamber of Commerce to conduct a survey to learn what Westwood residents want for their community.  The questionnaire was based on similar surveys distributed in 1990 and again in 2000.

Areas of focus included reasons for living in Westwood, critical issues facing the town, opinions about Chamber events and services, and thoughts and ideas for local businesses.  The questionnaire responses will establish an important record of what Westwood residents value about their town, and what they would like to see in the area.  The responses will help future Chamber activities reflect the needs of the community.  Additionally, the questionnaire results will be an important resource for community planning.

The questionnaire has significance beyond Westwood; taken together with the previous surveys, the responses provide data covering 30-years of attitudes in a rural forest community; a record of unprecedented depth.

The Sierra Institute has compiled the information and the Westwood Chamber of Commerce has the final report. This report should soon be posted. A presentation of the results of the surveys is being scheduled.

Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project: Assessing Community Capacity to Changing Rural Economies

By including residents in the assessment of 180 communities, the Sierra Institute pioneered innovative methods to evaluate community capacity, and impacts of disasters and resource management decisions on rural communities. The Sierra Institute also led the public involvement process in which, for the first time in a large-scale ecosystem study, the public worked with team scientists, both learning from and contributing to the knowledge of the study. In 1997, the Sierra Institute conducted the first social science assessment for the National Park Service, evaluating the social impact on nearby communities and institutional responses to the flood of 1997 when Yosemite National Park closed for two months. The Sierra Institute then conducted a social assessment for the US Forest Service of 130 communities in the contentious Klamath region to inform resource management and decision-making. These studies brought rural people into the research process and into discussions of natural resource and community development policy that affect their lives and livelihoods.

The Toxic Legacy of Mining

The widespread distribution of toxins associated with the Gold Rush, including mercury, arsenic and lead, constitutes the oldest and longest neglected environmental problem in the State of California. In March, 2008 the Sierra Fund published Mining’s Toxic Legacy report (PDF), the first comprehensive evaluation of what happened during the Gold Rush, including: the cultural, health and environmental impacts; the obstacles to addressing these impacts; and a strategic plan for taking action on this vast issue.

Contracted by the Sierra Fund in 2008, the Sierra Institute researched how the toxic impacts of historic mining in the Sierra Nevada affect human and environmental health and disproportionately affect under-served and vulnerable populations. This research led to the formation of a working group that lays the groundwork for development and implementation of a comprehensive plan to remediate environmental problems, develop health interventions to reduce the risk to historic gold mining communities, and protect the health of humans and wildlife throughout the Gold Country.

In 2010, the Gold Country Angler Survey was conducted and it was found that 47% of the anglers at Sierra water bodies, planned to eat what they caught that day and 92% had eaten locally caught fish within the last year.  In a region with a legacy of mercury pollution, these findings are cause for concern.

In 2009 and 2010, people were interviewed at popular fishing locations within two hours of Grass Valley.  Results of over 150 interviews indicated that the vast majority of people are consuming locally-caught sport fish from mercury-contaminated waterways, some in amounts that exceed safe levels and that they have limited understanding of the health hazards from eating mercury-contaminated fish.  These findings indicate the need for action to address these problems.  Key recommendations can be found at the Sierra Fund website.

The Sierra Institute continues to work with the Sierra Fund to develop and begin implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan.

Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, Public Law 106-393

In 2006, the Sierra Institute completed a national assessment of outcomes and lessons from legislation that provides funds for rural schools and roads, as well as mandating collaboration for forest restoration through citizen Resource Advisory Committees. With the expiration of the 6-year legislation in 2006, the Sierra Institute's study is informing the debate in Congress about the law's re-authorization.  The Assessment of the Secure Rural Schools And Community Self-Determination Act (Public Law 106-393) can be read here.

Proyecto Salud: Plumas Latino Health Care Access Project (Building Capacity to Improve Health and Health Care Access)

Phase I: Proyecto Salud focused on understanding and improving health, health care services, and access for Plumas County’s growing Latino community. In January 2007, we completed a participatory assessment with Latino community members to assess their own health concerns, health care access needs, and resources in the community. We used a process called participatory research to build the capacity of the community to participate in discussions that affect their well-being, and to engage in projects that support health in their community. At the same time, we work with health and human service providers to identify and put into practice ways to better meet the health and wellness needs of Latino community members.

Phase II: Improving Language Access in Health care - In October 2007, with support from The California Endowment, the Sierra Institute launched Phase II of Proyecto Salud. The project works in partnership with local organizations and community members to improve language access and cultural competency in health and wellness services for Plumas County’s Latino community. Proyecto Salud’s participatory assessment documented that next to lack of insurance and affordable health care, language access (interpretation and translation) rose to the top of health care access needs. We are excited to build collaborative responses to this need.