SYRCL (pronounced “circle”) is the leading voice for the protection and restoration of the Yuba River and the Greater Yuba Watershed. Founded in 1983 through a rural, grassroots campaign to defend the South Yuba River from proposed hydropower dams, SYRCL has developed into a vibrant community organization with over 3,500 members and volunteers based in Nevada City, CA.

We are the leading regional advocates for creating resilient human and natural communities throughout the greater Yuba River basin by restoring creeks & rivers, regenerating wild salmon populations, and inspiring & organizing people—from the Yuba’s source to the sea—to join in our movement for a more wild & scenic Yuba River.

Mission Statement:

SYRCL unites the community to protect and restore the Yuba River. Motivated by our love for this watershed, we advocate powerfully, engage in active stewardship, educate the public, and inspire activism from the Sierra to the sea.

Vision Statement:

We envision future generations of SYRCL members belonging to a vibrant, powerful, and sustainable community organization that is a model for activism globally.

We envision a local community that celebrates the Yuba River’s unique environmental and cultural heritage; is committed to a healthy river that supports our spiritual and economic well-being; and whose waters provide a place of healing and recreation.

We envision a day when the Yuba’s forests, meadows, and floodplains are repaired; the toxic legacy of the gold mining era is eliminated; the river’s artificial barriers are removed and natural flows are restored so that salmon, sturgeon and native trout can migrate freely to their ancestral waters.

Values & Beliefs Statements:

We believe that “People Can Save a River.” This founding premise empowers us to take collective action against real threats, emboldens us to be effective leaders and advocates, and inspires us to change the world while having fun along the way.

We value harmony between human culture and the natural environment. We value a shared river environment that is safe, accessible and welcoming. As all rivers are interconnected, we hope that our work here will inspire river movements beyond our watershed. 

We embrace all who sincerely care for the Yuba, and although our approaches to this work may differ at times, we pledge to conduct ourselves with utmost integrity and respect for the diversity of opinion and life experiences of others.

We strive to cultivate a professional and personally enriching work environment, which supports our dedicated team of staff, Board, and volunteers.  Recognizing ourselves as a true citizens’ league, our work is inspired by the Yuba and driven by the community.