The Yuba Project
Photography and Stories to Inspire Stewardship of the Yuba River Watershed
Amplifying Those Who Protect the River
Visual stories that celebrate, protect, and connect us with the Yuba River Watershed
The Yuba Project is a storytelling non-profit expressing the profound energy of the Yuba River Watershed and its relationships through photography and artistic media. We partner with organizations and communities working to foster connection, provide advocacy, and inspire conservation of the watershed.
Why We Care
Art in Service of a River
The Yuba Provides life, recreation, and connection to millions of people across Northern California. It is home to diverse and stunning ecosystems, from the granite slabs of the Sierra to the grassy marshes of the California Delta, and for thousands of years has been the Ancestral Homeland of the Nisenan Tribe.
Despite its importance and beauty, the Yuba River is a place that has been, and continues to be, deeply impacted by the Anthropocene age. From the collapse of the salmon to the ecocide wrought by California’s Gold Rush, the Yuba has a complex history that continues to evolve just like the river itself.
The Yuba Project is a direct response to a deep love for the Yuba River by a team of Nevada City-grown artists. We believe that art and storytelling can be incredible tools for educating and advocating for the better preservation of this land and for its return to a balanced state.
Inspired by the Yuba, this art project is a way to give back to our home.
Interested in Working Together?
About Us
Jack Devlin
Jack Devlin was born in the Bay Area and grew up in Nevada City: When he thinks of home, he thinks of the Yuba. From an early age, he combined his passion for art and his desire to protect the environment through nature photography. For his senior project in high school, he co-created with his friend Nathan Potter The South Yuba, a photo book about the Yuba River with all proceeds going to SYRCL. He enjoys working on long-form photographic stories that explore the identities of places, the communities they contain, and the ways they connect. He currently works in Nigeria as a photographer for Africa Nature Investors Foundation.
Kian Berreman
Kian Berreman grew up in Nevada City, where the Yuba River has been a lifelong source of inspiration and creative grounding. His work in photography, wood, and metal is deeply influenced by the artistic beauty of the river. From the forms of sculptural granite to the sparkle of pristine water, the Yuba’s influence can be seen clearly throughout his art.
Kian has worked professionally as a photographer, and arts educator. He has worked visually documenting art exhibitions, and has produced numerous fine art photography collections that explore the relationship between self and the nautral world.
Land Acknowledgement:
The Yuba Project acknowledges that the Yuba River Watershed is part of the Ancestral Homelands of the Nisenan people, who have lived here for thousands of years. We acknowledge the history of systematic injustice and genocide inflicted upon their people, and that the land on which this project works was never ceded. The Yuba Project supports the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe in their efforts to restore their community, including through Federal recognition. For more information, visit www.nisenan.org