TRUCKEE, Calif. May 8, 2026) – On April 28, Sierra Business Council and the Sierra Nevada Alliance convened a contingent of more than 40 regional leaders, local elected officials, state policymakers, and in Sacramento for Sierra Day at the Capitol, an annual advocacy event that brings Sierra voices and perspectives to California’s lawmakers.
This year’s format created space for deeper engagement, featuring a morning roundtable discussion that focused on two urgent and interconnected priorities: building resilient Sierra communities and balancing conservation, recreation and working lands. Armed with added context and proof points about the main priorities, the group broke into teams to meet with more than 35 lawmakers and legislative staff.
During the morning session, participants were joined by two Sierra-Cascade State Assemblymembers, Heather Hadwick from District 1 and David Tangipa from District 8, who shared insights on their current legislative priorities, which include rural hospitals, wildfire resilience, and natural resource stewardship.
“The biggest divide in California isn’t red versus blue, it’s rural versus urban,” said Assemblymember Tangipa. “Through efforts like Sierra Day at the Capitol and engagement in our own communities, we need people speaking up and getting involved to make sure these issues are heard.”
Assemblymember Hadwick furthered that sentiment, adding, “We can’t have community health without having landscape health– these issues are inseparable for our communities.”
In the afternoon meetings, participants highlighted how investments in the Sierra, as well as policies that directly support water supply, wildfire resilience, and rural communities, are critical not just for the Sierra region but also for the future of our state.
This year’s Sierra Day policy priorities included:
- Restore the $200 million from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for wildfire resilience
- Pass AB 35 (Alvarez) to ensure Prop 4 dollars can be invested efficiently, including investments in proposed investments in biodiversity, wildfire resilience, safe drinking water, and outdoor access
- Pass SB 1135 (Blakespear) to reduce human-wildlife conflict and improve coexistence
The teams met with lawmakers and staff, including:
- Assemblymember Bennett, District 38 and Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation
- Assemblymember Hadwick, District 1 and Vice-Chair of the Assembly Agriculture and Emergency Management committees
- Assemblymember Rogers, District 2 and member of the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildfire Committee and Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4
- Senator McNerny, District 5 and member of the Agriculture Committee and Budget Subcommittee #2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy
The sponsors that make Sierra Day at the Capitol possible include: Northern Sierra Partnership, Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP, North Fork Mono Tribe (North Fork Rancheria), Houston Magnani and Associates, Truckee Donner Land Trust, Sierra County Land Trust, Sierra Institute for Community and Environment, and Sierra Club Mother Lode Chapter.