Tuolumne River Trust is a voice for the river. We protect and restore the Tuolumne River watershed and its surrounding landscapes for present and future generations.
Our Vision.
We seek a healthy and vibrant river that is:
Teeming with fish and wildlife
Safe for drinking, fishing and swimming
Welcoming for paddling, hiking and other river adventures
Held in trust as a refuge for our children and grandchildren
We want every person who benefits from the Tuolumne to know that their food was grown from its water, their tap water comes from it, their wild salmon were hatched in its gravels, and their backpacking, fishing and rafting trip depends on its health.
At the Tuolumne River Trust, we holistically protect the entire watershed by uniting advocacy, restoration, and education into a force for change. We shape sustainable water policies, heal ecosystems, revive critical habitats like those of the Chinook salmon, and empower communities to become active stewards. This interconnected approach ensures the watershed thrives, securing a healthy Tuolumne River for generations to come.
Our History
In the late 1960s, as plans emerged to dam the free-flowing waters of the Tuolumne River, a diverse coalition of river activists united with a common purpose: to protect the river's intrinsic values and natural beauty. This movement laid the groundwork for Tuolumne River Trust (TRT), which was officially founded in 1981 on the principles of conservation and stewardship. Their relentless efforts culminated on September 28, 1984, when Congress designated 83 miles of the Tuolumne as Wild and Scenic. This designation was a testament not only to the river's outstanding qualities but also to the tenacity and dedication of its advocates.
This victory was more than just a triumph for the Tuolumne; it was a landmark moment in the history of river conservation in the United States. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, under which the Tuolumne was protected, established a precedent for river management that prioritized preservation and public enjoyment. This act has guided TRT's mission for over four decades, influencing how rivers are valued and conserved across the nation.
The origin story of TRT is one of resilience and unity. The organization's founders—some of whom continue to lead it today—understood that the fight for the Tuolumne was about more than saving a river; it was about preserving a way of life intimately connected to nature. Their success ensured that future generations would continue to experience the thrill of navigating the river's rapids, the serenity of casting a line into its clear waters, and the wonder of exploring its unspoiled wilderness.
Since its official founding in 1981, the Tuolumne River Trust has remained steadfast in its commitment to this vision. The organization offers a variety of programs that bridge the gap between people and the natural world, fostering a deep appreciation for the places we cherish and the resources we must protect. Through advocacy, restoration, and education, TRT continues to champion the health and vitality of the Tuolumne River, ensuring it remains a vibrant and accessible natural resource for all.
Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access (DEIA) Values
In working to protect and restore the Tuolumne River, the Tuolumne River Trust strives to sustain the health and diversity of both the biological and human ecosystems along the River, from its origins in the Sierra Nevada, through the San Joaquin Valley, and out to the San Francisco Bay.
We hold deep gratitude and reverence for the Indigenous people who have long been and remain stewards of their ancestral homelands, including bands of the Miwok, the Ohlone, the Yokuts, and tribes we have not named.
We seek to support a mutually beneficial relationship between the River and the diverse communities we serve, recognizing that the health of each is critical to the health of the others.
We strive to create systems through which all people and communities can benefit from what the Tuolumne provides: its healthy forests, floodplains, parks, recreational opportunities, clean drinking water and food production. We seek to be particularly attentive to, and inclusive of, those communities that have historically been excluded from the River’s benefits.
We seek to actively engage with those who currently live near or depend on the River, and we work to proactively understand evolving community needs, and to respond with creative, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable solutions.
We also recognize the importance of creating an organization that reflects the communities where we work and to which each team member, stakeholder, and partner can bring their whole authentic self.
As we look to the future, we pledge to contribute to a thriving and sustainable River ecosystem and surrounding communities through our education, advocacy, and restoration work, and to welcome participation by all who share this vision.
Native Land Digital (www.native-land.ca) is an Indigenous-led non-profit organization whose resources have guided our understanding of the indigenous communities on the Tuolumne.
We acknowledge that we may not have captured the fullness of the Indigenous communities that have inhabited and stewarded the Tuolumne River Watershed currently and historically. We welcome feedback on how we can represent this more accurately. Please email us at staff@tuolumne.org with any feedback on this issue.
Financial Statements
For more information about the financial aspects of our organization, please see our most recent financial information:
Impact Reports
For more information about our annual impact reporting please see our past reports: