A common thread (there are many) that binds the members of the Foothill Conservancy is the belief that smart growth can lead to the retention of the quality of life that is the very reason people choose to work, visit and live in the region.

"If you just sit back, someone else will make the decisions about what your community is going to look like and one day you may not like the result."

That is Katherine Evatt's view, president of the Foothill Conservancy, as well as the over 200 other members of the grassroots organization that was organized by a handful of people back in the summer of 1989, including Evatt, Pete Bell, Dr. Robert Hartmann, Mel Welsh, R.N., Dr. Meg Macleod, Bob Devlin and several others.

Not only is smart growth essential, but poorly planned growth, or growth left unchecked and uncoordinated could destroy the very thing that so many people, natives or otherwise, are attracted to in foothill life: A scenic, rural atmosphere and the beauty of natural resources.

The organizations mission statement is simple, in its current form: "To restore, protect, and sustain the natural and human environment in Amador and Calaveras Counties for the benefit of local residents." Evatt said that the mission of the non-profit group has changed over the years, to reflect their realization that "it is not enough to protect what is here now ... a great deal of restoration (is) needed and we must make sure that your community and environment can be sustained for future generations."

Evatt and Bell came to Amador County 25 years ago, having moved to San Francisco from their native North Carolina five years previous to that. Evatt explained that she and Bell were attracted to the natural beauty of Amador County and the easy access to the High Sierra. Hiking is something they have spent vast amounts of time doing, including to the remote areas of the North Fork of the Mokelumne River Canyon several times.

Members of the Foothill Conservancy range from ranchers, teachers and other professionals to students, foresters, elected officials, artists and more. Evatt said that the group has both "liberal Greens and Republicans," who share a love of the two counties and "a belief in taking care of the unique communities and environment that make this such a special place to live."

One of Foothill Conservancy's most impactful achievements to date is the key role they played in negotiating a settlement in 2000 that paved the way for a new license for PG&E's hydroelectric project on the Mokelumne River. The result also included the removal or dismantling of three dams situated on tributary streams. The Foothill Conservancy's belief is that this will lead to a healthier river as well as increased recreation opportunities while at the same time "allowing continued power generation from the river," Evatt said.

In conjunction with East Bay Municipal Utility District, the Foothill Conservancy also counts among its accomplishments the securing of access to the Middle Bar area of the Mokelumne River and the construction of a boating/kayak takeout in the same location. The group is also glad to have helped defeat Amador County's proposal for the construction of a damn on the North Fork (Devil's Nose Project) that would have flooded 9.5 miles of wild river canyon above Tiger Creek powerhouse, said Evatt.

In Calaveras County, the group completed the 1999 Calaveras Community Renewal Project, which helped communities in the West Point area to work collaboratively in economic, social and environmental efforts, leading to the creation of the Blue Mountain Community Renewal Council.

As for general, long-term goals, the organization will continue pushing for "smart and sustainable" land use projects, economic development and infrastructure decisions. They will also continue lobbying to secure "National Wild and Scenic River" designation for the North Fork of the Mokelumne River as well as efforts to establish a state Sierra Nevada Conservancy that hopes to provide funds for conservation easements and projects all over the Sierra, including Amador and Calaveras.

For Foothill Conservancy, the name of the game is collaboration, which they believe can move mountains, so to speak. The first step is getting involved in the process, which Evatt and Bell and the Foothill Conservancy have done and continue to do, in order to do what most of us have been learning since we were children: leave a place the way you found it.

As a matter of fact, why not leave it better?