Regional Information

One of the most significant natural and biologically diverse regions in the world, the Sierra Nevada Region constitutes about 25% of California’s land area and is the state’s principal watershed, supplying 65% of the developed water supply to residents and businesses across the state.

Together the Region:

• Supports 212 communities with more than 600,000 residents who are dependent upon the Region’s natural resources for jobs, recreation and community character;
• Sustains a growing tourism industry involving more than 50 million recreation visit days a year;
• Provides habitat for 66% of the bird and mammal species and about half of the reptile and amphibian species found in California; and
• Provides between a third and one half of the State’s annual timber supply.

The 22 counties making up the SNC Region are organized into six Subregions:

North:  Modoc, Shasta, Lassen counties
North Central:  Tehama, Butte, Plumas, Sierra counties
Central: Yuba, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado counties
South Central:  Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa counties
South:  Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kern counties
East:  Alpine, Mono, Inyo counties.

The regional information provided here includes regional maps, information on climate change, links to tourism/recreation opportunities in the Sierra Nevada Region, and a searchable E-Library.

While there are many issues facing the Sierra Nevada Region, climate change is one that is gaining increased attention, both in the Sierra and throughout California.  To learn more about climate change and how the Sierra can be part of the solution, please visit our Climate Change page.  

The interactive, searchable E-Library is another tool that can provide you with access to many documents related to planning in the Sierra Nevada Region. To search for specific documents or browse the E-library, please visit our E-library page.  If you have documents you would like to link to the library, please notify the webmaster at libraryinfo@sierranevada.ca.gov.