The Sierra Nevada region in northern California is critically important for California’s water supply and wildlife habitat. Of special significance to the Sierra are it’s montane meadows. This rare but important ecosystem is in urgent need of conservation to protect and restore their vital ecological services, including groundwater recharge, carbon storage, water quality and habitat for threatened and endangered species. This session will highlight the Mountain Meadows Conservation Project, a two phase innovative climate-smart effort that is resulting in the permanent protection and restoration of a significant portion of the largest wet meadow in the northern Sierra Nevada. Located in the headwaters of the North Fork of the Feather River, a critical source of water for drinking, agricultural uses and power production in service of 27 million people, this project includes two working cattle ranches which together support approximately 2,500 acres of meadow and riparian habitat, where four bioregions intersect producing an ecologically rich landscape that supports an abundance of species. With its massive extent, location and hydrologic significance, a protected and enhanced meadow system here is prime to become one of the most ecologically important places for birds, other wildlife and people in the Sierra Nevada. Through a partnership of the Feather River and Trust, the Trust for Public Land, Point Blue, Plumas Corporation and Sierra Pacific Industries, the innovative and collaborative efforts here will serve as a model and catalyst demonstrating how ranching, habitat, water resource management and community engagement can better align to create a climate resilient landscape.