WHO WE ARE
A community dedicated to protecting Sierra Nevada rock imagery sites.
Since 1990, Friends of Sierra Rock Art has worked to protect and preserve Indigenous rock image sites through stewardship, education, and community collaboration — honoring the cultural stories etched into stone across the Sierra region.
Our Beginning
FSRA was founded in 1990 by Bill Drake after he discovered a large petroglyph site in the Sierra foothills dating from approximately 2000 BC to 500 AD. '
At the time, many rock imagery sites had little protection and no organized public voice advocating for their preservation.
What began as a small local effort grew into a committed volunteer organization focused on education, stewardship, and long-term conservation
“The marks left on stone remind us that we are only temporary caretakers of a much longer story.”
FSRA
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RECOGNITION
FSRA is proud to have received national recognition for its preservation efforts, including:
The American Rock Art Research Association’s National Conservation Award
The Society for California Archaeology’s Helen C. Smith Award.
FSRA became the first non-professional organization to receive this honor.
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WHY IT MATTERS
Rock image sites are irreplaceable cultural resources that connect us to the deep human history of the Sierra region. By protecting and stewarding these places today, we help ensure that future generations can learn from, respect, and appreciate the significance and traditions they hold.
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FSRA TODAY
Today, FSRA supports preservation efforts through:
• Educational programs and public outreach
• Guided stewardship activities
• Collaboration with archaeologists, educators, and local communities
• Advocacy for responsible site protection and conservation
Our work is powered entirely by volunteers who share a passion for preserving these fragile and meaningful places.
Make an Impact Today
When you give, you invest in progress, compassion, and a better world for everyone.