On July 22, we took to the skies with EcoFlight and a remarkable group of conservation leaders, advocates, and policymakers for an aerial tour of the Yuba River watershed. The flight offered more than just a scenic view—it offered perspective. From above, the river system unfolds – a story of gold rush legacy, natural beauty, and the need for watershed restoration and continued management that benefits water resources, the economy, and communities.
Hosted by South Yuba River Citizens League, EcoFlight, Sierra Nevada Alliance, and Power in Nature, this unique experience highlighted the watershed’s critical role in California’s water future. With 80% of Californians relying on water that flows through this system, participants gained a renewed appreciation for how public lands, healthy forests, and resilient watersheds support water quality, wildfire preparedness, and regional economies—including the growing restoration economy, which creates local jobs and protects critical infrastructure.
Our flight path followed the South Yuba river, revealing sweeping views of meadows, forests, and floodplains that are vital to the state’s ecological and economic resilience. We soared over places like Van Norden Meadow—one of the largest and most ecologically significant meadows in the Sierra Nevada—and saw where restoration efforts are reconnecting river systems, reviving habitat, building wildfire resilience, and protecting water sources for millions downstream.
Among those on board were legislative staffers from Assemblymember Hadwick, Senator Dahle, and Congressman Kiley, as well as representatives from the California Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee, Yuba Water Agency, Resources Legacy Fund, and Patagonia.
These landscapes are more than beautiful—they’re essential. They store and filter clean water, sequester carbon, and support livelihoods and a thriving outdoors recreation economy. Stewarding the Yuba River watershed and surrounding forests means investing in a future where California’s communities, ecosystems, and water systems can thrive.
We’re grateful to everyone who joined us in the air—and to all who continue working on the ground to protect and restore this incredible watershed.
Want to see what we saw?
📸 [Flight Photos]
🎥 [Aerial GoPro Video]
🌍 [Geo-referenced Photos – open in Google Earth]
All images are free for your use. Please credit EcoFlight when sharing.
You can also view the event program here and watch CBS News coverage here.
