Martis Valley

Martis Valley Accomplishments
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The story of Martis Valley is a great example of how we can work together to protect the places we love.

In December of 2000, a small group of Sierra residents and local homeowners learned about impending plans to develop Martis Valley.  They founded Sierra Watch to protect the Valley.

So far Sierra Watch has secured permanent protection for more than 5,000 acres of priority Martis Valley land and built a collaborative consensus for a better blueprint for the Tahoe-Truckee Region.  But our work in Martis Valley is far from done.

Martis Valley: Heart of Tahoe-Truckee
Nestled between North Tahoe and Truckee, Martis Valley includes 45,000 acres of meadow, forest, and mountain.  Its location is critical to the entire region, providing a welcoming gateway to Lake Tahoe, a crucial habitat link between wilderness areas and the Tahoe Basin, and a popular recreation area for hikers, bikers, anglers, birders, campers, and skiers.  Martis Valley itself is rich in biological diversity and conservation value, with a unique blend of Sierra Nevada and Great Basin resources.

With its beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife, crystal waters, and clear skies, Martis Valley exemplifies what we love about the Tahoe-Truckee Region and the Sierra Nevada.

Initial Threats and Impressive Victories
Landowners and officials put forth plans for massive development throughout Martis Valley – proposals would have carved up and subdivided both sides of Highway 267 and built more than 6,000 new housing units between Truckee and Brockway Summit on the rim of the Tahoe Basin.

Sierra Watch built a team of planning experts, recruited a core of committed donors, and achieved what was then considered impossible: turning back “inevitable” development proposals. 

And we shifted the debate towards our positive vision for the Valley – a blueprint that includes less than half of the proposed units and permanent limits on how much can be built.

We secured an important piece of the Martis Valley puzzle in November 2007 when Waddle Ranch was permanently protected as open space.  First, we stopped development of Waddle Ranch – it was approved as the site for a golf course, shopping mall, and hundreds of housing units.  Then, we collaborated with local organizations to create The Martis Fund, which supported the purchase of the land and will continue to be a long-term vehicle to fund future land purchases and invest in watershed protection in Martis Valley.

Time to Secure Next Big Conservation Gain
Now Sierra Watch is collaborating with our allies to secure a conservation outcome for the 6,900 acre Sierra Pacific Industries property on the slopes of Martis Peak and bordering the Tahoe Basin.  The property includes crucial upland habitat and wildlife corridors, but it has been proposed for a new resort development – pushing subdivisions toward the Tahoe Basin.  Now that we’ve built a consensus for conservation in Martis Valley, it’s time to hammer out a detailed agreement to permanently protect the property.

Martis Valley: A Worthy Investment
To a lot of people, it seemed crazy: how could a small group of Sierra conservationists turn back Martis Valley development?  But to the hundreds of supporters who invested in our campaign, the returns have been phenomenal.  Whether measured in conservation dollars raised or in acres protected, Sierra Watch has clearly proven itself as an effective vehicle for Sierra conservation.

In Martis Valley, we have pioneered an effective approach to defending our favorite Sierra places and created an ongoing opportunity to secure the heart of the Tahoe-Truckee Region for future generations.  Such success does not come easily; an effective conservation campaign requires a significant commitment of resources and expertise.

Martis Valley is clearly worth the investment.