Mission and Vision

Vision
Nevada County is endowed with a rich mosaic of beautiful landscapes, healthy forests, historical treasures, and small towns. The land sustains life and replenishes the spirit. Our towns comfort us with timeless charm. Our farms and ranches feed our communities. The quality of life here is tightly connected to these precious resources.

Sierra Foothill communities are changing as open landscapes fill with housing and businesses from urban refugees.  Our vision is to retain the distinct identity of Nevada County’s communities for future generations.  It is the Bear Yuba Land Trust commitment to preserve our local history, to sustain our natural resource-based economy, to care for our open land making it accessible for all, and to retain the rural character that has been the source of our prosperity.

Mission
Bear Yuba Land Trust exists to create a balance between nature and the needs of the people who make a life and a livelihood here. This is our home.  Our mission is to enrich the deep community connection with our land − today, tomorrow, and forever.

Charter
Bear Yuba Land Trust is a private, non-profit, membership-supported group promoting voluntary conservation of our natural, historical and agricultural resources through protection and enhancement of natural areas, farms and ranches, trails and parks to provide a lasting community heritage.

Bear Yuba Land Trust endeavors to fulfill its mission through –

• The protection of critical landscapes by means of conservation easements, fee acquisition and other strategies, in cooperation with and through voluntary efforts from landowners, other non-profit agencies and private sources.
• The management of lands held in trust for limited periods or forever.
• Collaboration with the community through the development process to enhance and restore wetlands and watersheds, open space, wildlife habitats. 
• The support of sustainable economic productivity of working lands such as agricultural, range and forest lands.
• Fulfilling unmet outdoor recreation needs.
• The preservation of heritage and aesthetic amenities that define our community’s unique character.
• Community outreach and public education on the benefits of land conservation and strategies for protecting our communities.

Bear Yuba Land Trust follows an American tradition of local land trusts which began in the mid-1800's, joining the efforts of over 1,800 local land trusts nationwide.