The Sierra Nevada range rises sharply from the arid basin and range on the east and slopes gently toward the Central Valley of California on the west. Vegetation at lower elevations is dominated by ponderosa pine on the west and lodgepole pine on the east, with fir, spruce, and alpine tundra at higher elevations. The area provides habitat for Hermit Warbler, White-headed Woodpecker, and Mountain Quail at higher elevations and Nuttall's Woodpecker, Oak Titmouse, and California Thrasher on the western slopes.

ABC-designated Globally Important Bird Areas in this BCR

Eldorado National Forest

Kings Canyon National Park

Lassen National Forest

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Forest

Sierra National Forest

South Fork, Kern River Valley BLM

Stanislaus National Forest

Tahoe National Forest

Yosemite National Park