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 A regional association of over 600 business and civic members, the Sierra Business Council (SBC) works to secure the social, natural and financial health of the Sierra Nevada in California. Founded in 1994, SBC believes that environmental health is a cornerstone of economic prosperity; it rejects the notion that communities must choose between economic and environmental health. SBC was honored this month by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger with the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award for its successful work promoting environmentally sensitive development and comprehensive land use planning. SBC was recognized for its deep commitment to balancing environmental preservation and protection with the need to keep California's economy growing.
The Sierra Business Council works to draw people from all backgrounds and perspectives to work jointly in preserving the natural beauty and economic vitality of the region. Its current priorities include:
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Investing for Prosperity, which shows rural communities how to make investments that ensure all residents and communities thrive in the innovation economy.
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The Sierra Nevada Wealth Index, which tracks the trends and conditions of the Sierra's social, natural and financial capital.
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Planning for Prosperity, recognized in 1998 by the American Planning Association for showing how communities can promote better planning in the Sierra Nevada.
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Building the Leadership to Spearhead Regional and Local Change, a series of conferences, seminars and forums to identify emerging issues and provide training in skills critical to effective community leadership.
SBC's most recent success story has been building a bi-partisan coalition of business and civic leaders for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. The Conservancy, a new state agency with the Department of Natural Resources, works to forge partnerships between the state and local Sierra communities to protect and restore woodlands and riparian zones, reduce the risk of wildfires and promote recreation and sustainable development. What happens in the Sierra affects many Californians as the mountain range accounts for 65 percent of the state's water supply and provides recreational opportunities for about 50 million visitors annually. Moreover, the region's population is expected to triple between 1990 and 2040. As one sponsor of the initiative noted, Everybody wants bi-partisanship, but it represents a very big risk, not with the people you disagree with, but with the people you agree with.
For more information about the Sierra Business Council visit www.sbcouncil.org.
SBC staff and Board members are congratulated by California Food and Agriculture Secretary Kawamura and Natural Resources Secretary Chrisman.
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