The Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps runs out of Bishop, California, the ancestral lands of the Northern Paiute, Western Shoshone, and Eastern Mono/Monache. During our season, trail crews perform work on the homelands of many Indigenous communities across California.

ESCC recognizes that prior to colonization, California was home to hundreds of Tribes that thrived in this environment because of their culture of reciprocity with and deep knowledge of California ecosystems. Due to practices like the stealing of land, genocide, and forced assimilation, Indigenous communities all over the US lost their ability to freely exercise their culture. Daily practices and special rituals that allowed California Tribes, flora, fauna, and soil to flourish were no longer a part of the ecosystem. The negative effects of these forcibly cut relationships can be seen today, particularly in climate change and the social injustice that exists throughout Tribal communities. 

ESCC acknowledges that the environmental movement has always been led by Indigenous Peoples and that the environmental stewardship activities performed in our line of work have been known and practiced by Indigenous groups for thousands of years. ESCC works to create a more inclusive and diverse outdoor community, prioritizing recruitment of participants and staff from priority populations including Black, Indigenous, AAPI, People of the Global Majority, Women, Women of color, LGBTQ2SIA+.