Stewardship noun | stew·ard·ship | \ˈstü-ərd-ˌship, ˈstyü-; ˈst(y)u̇rd-\ the responsible overseeing and protection of something worth caring for and preserving or necessary for one’s life.
Reverence noun | rev·er·ence | \ ˈrev-rən(t)s , ˈre-vərn(t)s \ deep and profound respect (for Nature and each other).
Culture Identity noun | cul·ture iden·ti·ty | \ ˈkəlCHər īˈden(t)ədē \ one's concept of self, history, and community. Through our lens, it is also strongly related to the culture of Nature and reverence for all living beings and creating space for the intersectionality of seemingly different nationalities, ethnicities, genders, arts/languages, localities, and generations.
Art noun | [ärt] | the various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance.
Our Mission
To implement volunteer-driven habitat conservation projects in the southern Sierra Nevada watersheds while inspiring diverse communities to take personal responsibility for protecting and restoring wild and rural places through reverence for Nature, direct stewardship action, and art and culture. WildPlaces inspires communities to become protectors and stewards by renewing reverence for Nature through nature ethic, culture identity , and critical thinking.
Giant Sequoia National Monument is WildPlaces’ home base. We protect it because it offers solace, safety, health and inspiration to the world.
Our Vision
We envision an elevated and unshakable relationship between Nature and people wherein a profound ethic exits that confronts and replaces destructive, human-induced practices with culturally and ecologically healthy outcomes for Mother Nature.
About Us
Located within the southern Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, WildPlaces began in 2001 as a project, not an organization, initiated by Mehmet McMillan and a group of close friends recreating in the Sierra. This diverse crew of volunteers wanted to contribute time and love into restorative actions while doing what they loved - being in the mountains and being with friends. It wasn’t long before these friends and their friends became dedicated volunteers who would work tirelessly for years to restore and enhance large and small-scale habitat areas in the southern Sierra Nevada. Engaging the many diverse communities within those watersheds who benefit from nature’s free resources (clean air, water, biodiversity, recreation, connection to spirit, and more) became increasingly and very quickly important to WildPlaces as a means to increase effectiveness by increasing numbers of volunteers on the ground and doing the work needed.
Watch how we re-wild the future: our programs and the youth we serve
A few tools, an old truck, and even one volunteers make a day great
WildPlaces’ actions soon gained traction and, with media coverage and tireless outreach, moved the organization to be established as a 501(c)3 project under the fiscal sponsorship of Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs (SEE). With permanence in the southern Sierra, a few tools, some foundation and private money, and an old truck, recognition and awards followed. Partnerships and bridges between like and opposing interests were built. Organizations not traditionally considered part of the environmental movement became part of the movement. The development of funding strategies, staff, a Board of Advisers, and membership grew-- the foundation for our success was laid.
Over the years, thousands of native plants were planted, miles of rivers improved, thousands of volunteers and youth organized, dozens of wildlife and plant species tracked and monitored, and hundreds of acres of meadows, forests and woodlands restored-- all conducted on single and multi-day, place-based events throughout the year. Students of all ages are brought from major cities like Los Angeles, Fresno, Bakersfield, and Sacramento as well as the often marginalized and disadvantaged communities of the San Joaquin Valley like East Porterville, Strathmore, London, Alpaugh, Arvin, and Lamont. All are brought into the magical groves of Giant Sequoias, bio-rich oak woodlands, meadows, grasslands, and the riparian habitats of local rivers to help not restore damaged and endangered habitat and improve water quality and biodiversity. Also gained is a connection to nature that improves us internally so that we can find a happiness and a deep reverence for Nature.
"It is the magic that dreams are made of, and we do it one tree at a time", WildPlaces' Founder Mehmet McMillan says. "While the world around may seem full of problems, we find in the deep woods our place in the family of things."
The teachers, parents, and the students themselves tell us over and over how their lives are changed by experiencing the outdoors with WildPlaces. Real needs are met with very modest financial resources while providing enormous social, environmental, and spiritual capital.
. . . our climate position: a video project for the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
"We believe that anyone can and should be a part of the world’s wild places", says past Program Manager Anne Taormina. "If you haven't joined the movement, then consider WildPlaces as the platform to change your corner of the world. Don't miss the FUN!"
AnnUAL REPORT
Our Financial Partners
WildPlaces' programs and projects are made possible by foundations, agencies, ethical companies and individuals who adhere to a nature ethic:
California Rural Legal Assistance
Patagonia
Adams Legacy
Wild and Scenic Rivers
WildSpaces
Community Leadership Partnership (Hewlett, Packard and Irvine Foundations)
Southern California Edison
Steven Brye
Tulare County Youth Commision
United States Forest Service
Edison International
Bergen Farms Strathmore, California
McMillan Brothers, LLC
OUR PROJECTS SITE MAP
