John Bernstein Named Northern Sierra Partnership President

November 30, 2009: The Northern Sierra Partnership is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. John Bernstein as President of the Partnership. John will spearhead the campaign to protect over 100,000 acres of priority land in the Northern Sierra, known for the stunning beauty of its windswept peaks, the productivity of its expansive forests, the ecological richness of its meadows and ranch lands, and its unique importance as the source of more than half of California’s water.

Educated as a physician, John has been active in land conservation for over twenty years, leading conservation organizations on both the West and East coasts. Most recently, he served as Vice President for Conservation at the Pacific Forest Trust where he worked with private forest owners, including major timber companies, to ensure sustainable management of timberlands. He also served as Director of Conservation Programs at the Land Trust Alliance, the national association of land trusts and conservation organizations.

“I am delighted that John Bernstein has agreed to serve as President of the Partnership,” said Lucy Blake, Chair of the Partnership’s Governing Council. “The time to protect this extraordinary region is now, and John is just the person to lead our campaign forward.”

The Northern Sierra Partnership is a pioneering alliance of five leading conservation organizations-The Nature Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land, the Feather River Land Trust, the Truckee Donner Land Trust, and the Sierra Business Council-working together to conserve the lands and waters of the Northern Sierra Nevada for future generations. The Partnership works to protect high-quality water supplies, world-class outdoor recreation, healthy forests that sequester carbon, natural habitat for native fish and wildlife, and working ranches and forests for the citizens of California.

Jim and Becky Morgan, co-founders of the Northern Sierra Partnership, expressed their enthusiasm for Bernstein’s appointment. “Most people don’t know that much of the Sierra Nevada, California’s greatest mountain range, is at risk from ill-conceived development, wildfire, and other threats to its ecological well-being,” said Jim Morgan. “Healthy ecosystems are the foundation of healthy economies. Becky and I are looking forward to working with John, our five Partners, and the people of the Northern Sierra to address the challenges facing this critically important region.”

For more information, please visit www.northernsierrapartnership.org.