March 12th, 2010 by Arya, Communications DirectorcloseAuthor: Arya, Communications DirectorName: Arya Degenhardt Title: Communications Director About: Arya oversees the Committee's communications program, which includes the Mono Lake Newsletter. She loves her job because she gets to share the inspiring work of the Mono Lake Committee with members and visitors alike. When she's not in the office you might find her running with her dogs Dublin and Poco, volunteering with the Lee Vining Fire Department, listening to any music with a banjo in it, or willing the plants in her garden to grow. Her favorite things to do in the Mono Basin include ice skating on nearby lakes, skiing the Mono Craters, and getting to smell the sagebrush when it rains.See All Posts by Arya (29) Contact Arya
March 10th, 2010 by Erika, Office DirectorcloseAuthor: Erika, Office DirectorName: Erika Obedzinski Title: Office Director About: Erika's main task as Office Director is to keep balance in the office for the Committee's many staff and priorities. She is the puzzlemaster for the office schedule--which involves over 20 staff in the summertime--and she also oversees the summer intern and volunteer programs. Before her current role, Erika spent three years as the Committee's Membership Coordinator and her first summer in the Basin as an intern. After studying music composition at Bennington College, Erika received a degree in Culture, Ecology, and Sustainable Community from New College of California.See All Posts by Erika (8) Contact Erika
Natalie Holt enjoying a Sierra stream. Photo courtesy of Natalie Holt.
Two years ago, Natalie Holt spent much of her summer volunteering for the Mono Lake Committee—leading tours and helping with a variety projects in the office. More recently, for her senior high school project, Natalie created a seven-minute film called “Environmental Identity,” featuring our very own Communications Coordinator Elin Ljung!
In the film Natalie interviews Elin, a park ranger, an Earth First activist, and the owner of a green products store, asking what motivates, inspires and concerns … more »
March 4th, 2010 by Greg, Information SpecialistcloseAuthor: Greg, Information SpecialistName: Greg Reis Title: Information Specialist About: Since his Committee internship in 1995, Greg has been involved with Mono Basin stream restoration and with maintaining the Committee's computers, Websites, and Research Library, and researching and compiling information for our programs. He is also an EMT on the Lee Vining Volunteer Fire Department. His B.S. degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Forestry and Natural Resources with a concentration in Environmental Management and a Senior Project in Hydrology reflects his interest in natural resources management, administration, planning, environmental analysis, and restoration. He is a member of the California Association of Environmental Professionals and the Watershed Management Council.See All Posts by Greg (52) Contact Greg
Mono Lake
On April 1st, 2009 (the beginning of this Runoff Year), Mono Lake was at an elevation of 6382.5 feet. It dropped about a foot by the end of the calendar year, and in January and February it rose half a foot, for a net loss of 0.6 feet since last April 1st. The half-foot rise in January and February is the largest 2-month wintertime rise since a 0.6 foot rise in January and February 2006. Mono Lake usually rises 0.1 foot in March–if it does that this month, we should be looking at an April 1st level of about 6382.0 feet. Click here for more on Mono Lake’s levels.
Lee Vining Precipitation
Here in Lee Vining, from October through February we’ve received 11.72 inches of precipitation, which is 108% … more »
February 28th, 2010 by Greg, Information SpecialistcloseAuthor: Greg, Information SpecialistName: Greg Reis Title: Information Specialist About: Since his Committee internship in 1995, Greg has been involved with Mono Basin stream restoration and with maintaining the Committee's computers, Websites, and Research Library, and researching and compiling information for our programs. He is also an EMT on the Lee Vining Volunteer Fire Department. His B.S. degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Forestry and Natural Resources with a concentration in Environmental Management and a Senior Project in Hydrology reflects his interest in natural resources management, administration, planning, environmental analysis, and restoration. He is a member of the California Association of Environmental Professionals and the Watershed Management Council.See All Posts by Greg (52) Contact Greg
Beavers were introduced into Lundy Canyon long ago, and in recent years have been spreading to other nearby creeks such as Wilson Creek and DeChambeau Creek. Dead beavers have been seen more than once in the last several years along Mono Lake between Old Marina and Lee Vining Creek.
About three weeks ago we were informed by Dr. Roland Knapp of beaver sign along Lee Vining Creek below the diversion dam. Friday morning I took the photos found here–click on a photo to … more »
February 11th, 2010 by Erika, Office DirectorcloseAuthor: Erika, Office DirectorName: Erika Obedzinski Title: Office Director About: Erika's main task as Office Director is to keep balance in the office for the Committee's many staff and priorities. She is the puzzlemaster for the office schedule--which involves over 20 staff in the summertime--and she also oversees the summer intern and volunteer programs. Before her current role, Erika spent three years as the Committee's Membership Coordinator and her first summer in the Basin as an intern. After studying music composition at Bennington College, Erika received a degree in Culture, Ecology, and Sustainable Community from New College of California.See All Posts by Erika (8) Contact Erika
In addition to our seasonal positions for the upcoming summer, we are now hiring for one of our full-time, year-round positions—Information Center & Bookstore Manager. If you or someone you know may be interested, now is the time to apply. For a detailed job description visit our jobs web page.
The Mono Lake Committee staff in front of the Information Center & Bookstore.
February 11th, 2010 by Elin, Communications CoordinatorcloseAuthor: Elin, Communications CoordinatorName: Elin Ljung Title: Communications Coordinator About: Elin's job at the Committee consists of some of her favorite things: finding typos, experimenting with layouts, and figuring out how best to communicate the Committee's work to the world. She also oversees the Field Seminar program and coordinates grant-writing efforts. Elin volunteers on the Lee Vining Fire Department, loves sitting at Latte Da Coffee Cafe immersed in a good book, and watches English Premier League football (soccer) at any opportunity.See All Posts by Elin (26) Contact Elin
February 7th, 2010 by Erika, Office DirectorcloseAuthor: Erika, Office DirectorName: Erika Obedzinski Title: Office Director About: Erika's main task as Office Director is to keep balance in the office for the Committee's many staff and priorities. She is the puzzlemaster for the office schedule--which involves over 20 staff in the summertime--and she also oversees the summer intern and volunteer programs. Before her current role, Erika spent three years as the Committee's Membership Coordinator and her first summer in the Basin as an intern. After studying music composition at Bennington College, Erika received a degree in Culture, Ecology, and Sustainable Community from New College of California.See All Posts by Erika (8) Contact Erika
We are now accepting applications and hiring for our 2010 seasonal positions! For detailed job descriptions and how to apply, visit our jobs web page.
Mono Lake Committee staff, summer 2009. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.
February 4th, 2010 by Bartshé, Education DirectorcloseAuthor: Bartshé, Education DirectorName: Bartshé Miller Title: Education Director About: Bartshé directs the Committee's Outdoor Experiences Program, Canoe Program, and Interpretive Programs, and manages the Mono Basin Field Station. He has been an Eastern Sierra resident since 1993.See All Posts by Bartshé (10) Contact Bartshé
The Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua combines great birding field trips with an eclectic mix of workshops, presentations, art, and music. Mark your calendars for the last weekend of spring in Lee Vining, California. The Ninth Annual Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua returns June 18-20, 2010. Where else can you see a … more »
February 2nd, 2010 by Elin, Communications CoordinatorcloseAuthor: Elin, Communications CoordinatorName: Elin Ljung Title: Communications Coordinator About: Elin's job at the Committee consists of some of her favorite things: finding typos, experimenting with layouts, and figuring out how best to communicate the Committee's work to the world. She also oversees the Field Seminar program and coordinates grant-writing efforts. Elin volunteers on the Lee Vining Fire Department, loves sitting at Latte Da Coffee Cafe immersed in a good book, and watches English Premier League football (soccer) at any opportunity.See All Posts by Elin (26) Contact Elin
Mono Lake Committee policy staff Geoff and Lisa traveled south to Bishop recently to hear David Freeman (interim General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power) expand upon his proposal to use LA land in the Eastern Sierra to generate solar power. The LA Times published an article about that meeting today—LA takes a shine to another Owens Valley product: sun. Look for the Committee’s take on the solar park proposal in the upcoming issue of our Newsletter, which goes to press within the week!
February 1st, 2010 by Rose, Project SpecialistcloseAuthor: Rose, Project SpecialistName: Rose Wilson Title: Project Specialist About: After three years living and teaching English abroad, Rose is glad to be back in Lee Vining and working for Mono Lake. Originally from Bishop, Rose’s love and broad knowledge of the Eastern Sierra makes her perfectly suited for her role as Project Specialist. An ardent traveler who enjoys tasting the local cuisine (especially pasta), she has lived all over—from the cornfields of Iowa where she studied Sociology at Grinnell College to Ghana, Panama, and, most recently, Japan.See All Posts by Rose (3) Contact Rose
"Lundy Canyon Fall" is one of the images on display in the Committee gallery. Photo courtesy of Robb Hirsch.
Field biologist by trade, naturalist by heart, and photographer by passion, Robb Hirsch has traveled through Africa, Central America, and the Western United States. He enjoys spending extended periods of time in the backcountry to experience the natural history of the ecosystem at hand; his photography is an extension of this love for the natural world. Scouting locations incessantly, Robb attempts to combine alluring locations and complementary illumination. His images are known for their compelling subjects, careful compositions, and fine light.
Robb’s exhibit in the Committee gallery focuses on Mono Lake, the Eastern Sierra, and Yosemite. Stop by and take a look!
The film 
