August 17, 2000
Restoration Days Celebrate Efforts
at Mono Lake
Press Contact:
Jeff
Darlington, Office Director
Mono Lake Committee
(760) 647-6595
jeff@monolake.org
www.monolake.org
For Immediate Release
The Mono Lake Committee, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of Mono Lake, is hosting it’s annual “Restoration Days” – four fun-filled days of activities over Labor Day Weekend, September 1-4, 2000.
Located in the spectacular Eastern Sierras just east of Yosemite National Park near Lee Vining, CA, Mono Lake is the largest natural lake wholly in California, and provides vital habitat for millions of migratory and nesting birds. Since 1941, however, the lake’s level has dropped significantly through water diversions to the City of Los Angeles.
The process of curtailing water diversions to Los Angeles and restoring the lake’s health has been championed by the Mono Lake Committee (MLC), and Restoration Days is an annual event celebrating the Committee’s continuing efforts. For over twenty years the MLC has been working to protect Mono Lake from excessive water diversions, to heal the damage done to the lake and it’s tributary streams, and to educate the public about wise water use and the incredible diversity of our natural environment.
Restoration Days begins with a Garden Reception at the MLC Information Center & Bookstore in Lee Vining at 6:30 pm on Friday, September 1. The reception includes book and poster signings by Eastern Sierra author Genny Smith and photographer Jim Stimson. Also at the reception, MLC Co-Executive Director Geoff McQuilkin will deliver the 2000 “State of the Lake” address – a slide presentation and report that summarizes the social, ecological and economic health of Mono Lake.
“In addition to the State of the Lake and other activities designed to educate people about Mono Lake, we’ve scheduled a lot of fun family activities this year,” said McQuilkin.
Special activities planned for children and families include bird watching, swimming, face painting, a night hike through the nearby Jeffrey Pine forest, storytelling and s’mores by a campfire Sunday night, a raffle and a sidewalk sale, and a multi-day scavenger hunt!
Restoration Days are filled with fun activities that showcase Mono Lake for people of all ages. Walking tours of Mono Lake’s unique tufa formations, canoe tours on Mono Lake, volcano hikes, creek walks and ecology workshops will be offered, and attendees will get a chance to water trees that have been planted in years past.
Lucy Parker, a descendant of the Yosemite Miwok, Mono Lake Kutzadika’a and Pomo peoples, will host a Native American Basketry & Culture workshop at the MLC Information Center & Bookstore on Saturday. Lucy will also offer a Kutzadika’a blessing for Mono Lake at the annual Rehydration Ceremony on Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday, Dave Martin, a restoration expert for the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, will lead a restoration walk along Mono Lake’s tributary streams. Also on Sunday, scientists and Committee staff will enlist the help of attendees in specific restoration work at Lee Vining Creek.
“We’re grateful to have such strong statewide support,” said McQuilkin, “and we hope to have a good turnout at Restoration Days where we can all pitch in and do our part for the lake.”
For more information or a complete schedule of events, phone the Mono Lake Committee at (760) 647-6595, e-mail the Committee at info@monolake.org, or check out the Restoration Days web page at www.monolake.org/events/restdays.htm.
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The text of this press release may be downloaded from www.monolake.org/press
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