Sierra has received one or more Maggie Awards from the Western Publications Association almost every year since 2000 and has been recognized repeatedly for excellence in design by Folio magazine's Ozzie Awards, among other honors.

• March/April 2012:
  Folio magazine Eddie Award: Silver for the best full issue by a nonprofit magazine publishing six issues per year
• July/August 2011:
  "Look, It's a Cheatercycle," Maggie Award: Best Single Editorial Illustration (Consumer)
• January/February 2010:
  "View from the Vortex", Maggie Award: Best Series of Editorial Photographs (Consumer)
• May/2011:
  "Wilderness Dipolomacy," Print: Maggie Award: 2012 Regional Design Annual
• May/June 2009:
  "King Coal in Court," Maggie Award: Best Single Editorial Illustration (Consumer)
  "Innovate," Maggie Award: Best Regularly Featured Department, Section, or Column (Consumer)
• January/February, May/June, July/August 2007:
  "Smart Energy Solutions," Maggie Award: Best Series of Articles (Consumer)
• March/April, May/June, September/October 2007:
  "Ways & Means," Maggie Award: Best Regularly Featured Department, Section, or Column (Consumer)
• September/October 2007:
  "A Patriotic Pall," Maggie Award: Best Single Editorial Illustration (Consumer)
• March/April 2006:
  "A Real Refuge," Canada's Northern Lights Awards: First Prize
• January/February 2006:
  "Photography of Hope," Maggie Award: Best Black-and-White or Two-Color Editorial Layout (Trade & Consumer); Maggie Award: Best Series of Editorial Photographs (Consumer)
• September/October 2005:
  "American Idylls," Maggie Award: Best Public Service Series or Article; "Madame Butterfly," American Society of Journalists and Authors: Best Profile Award
• November/December 2004:
  Cover photo by Gary Kramer, "Bull Elk": Apogee Award for Excellence in Still Photography
• March/April 2004:
  "Wild America," Maggie Award: Best Special Theme Issue
• January/February 2002:
  "Ode to the Bus," Maggie Award: Best Signed Editorial or Essay
• September/October 2002:
  "Election 2002," Maggie Award: Best Public Service Series or Article
• May/June 2000:
  "The Legacy of Lewis & Clark," Maggie Award: Best Public Service Series or Article
• January/February 2000:
  "Night Ride," Maggie Award: Best Single Editorial Illustration
• March/April 2000:
  "Canada's Forgotten Coast," Maggie Award: Best Public Service Series or Article