The Tuolumne River Trust Protects the Source of the Water You Drink

Originating in Yosemite National Park high in the glaciers above Tuolumne Meadows, the Tuolumne River flows through diverse landscapes and communities from the Sierra Nevada, through Central California, to the San Francisco Bay. 

Founded in 1981, when San Francisco proposed dams on the river, the Tuolumne River Trust  (TRT) led a campaign that brought together diverse groups to protect the Tuolumne River from environmental ruin. As part of this inaugural campaign, the Tuolumne River Trust successfully won Wild and Scenic Protection safeguarding it for future generations. 

The Trust advocates for better water management policies, partners with communities for better park equity and access, protects salmon and other wildlife habitats, and restores forests along the watershed. But most importantly, the Tuolumne River is the sole water source for 2.7 million Bay Area residents from San Francisco to San Jose, a fact that people are often surprised to learn. 

“We organize and connect communities to the river and advocate for better policies and laws for river health,” explains Patrick Koepele, executive director of TRT. 

TRT has built many innovative and exciting programs to educate the public and provide diverse communities access to the river and its surrounding lands. TRT’s key programs are designed to engage young people to interact with the Tuolumne and include: That’s the Tuolumne in My Tap, the Tuolumne River Adventure Club (TRAC), and the Outdoor Equity Program. These programs teach local youth where their water comes from and focus on river activities and safety, leadership training, advocacy, and preservation of the environment. 

With climate change impacting weather patterns, wildfire prevention is top of mind for everyone. Through TRT’s cutting-edge prevention programs, they also focus on building resilience and balance back into the ecosystems. TRT is also at the forefront of regional work to increase the pace and scale of restoration and reforestation for forests, floodplains, meadows, and parks. 

The Trust’s habitat restoration programs and water policy advocacy ensures that threatened species and wildlife along the river, such as the North American Beaver, Chinook Salmon, and the beloved Black Bear, continue to thrive, preserving the rich biodiversity and balance of the greater Yosemite region. 

TRT has not only been the river’s guardian, fighting against threats and championing its health, but also a bridge, connecting people to its incredible landscapes. Your support of TRT is a testament to the shared belief in preserving this natural heritage for present and future generations. Water is the essence of life and the Tuolumne River Trust has been ensuring the river’s protection since 1981.