This week we received LADWP’s forecast for Mono Lake levels for the 2009 Runoff Year (April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010). The lake is expected to be at its peak right now (the current elevation of Mono Lake is 6382.53 feet above sea level ), and fall about 1/2 foot by early September, and fall a total of about (more…)

Funding for state parks was scheduled for a vote Wednesday June 24 in Sacramento as part of the state’s full budget package. But when the first package element lacked the necessary 2/3 majority vote, further action was put off leaving the future of State Parks funding in doubt.

The proposed State Parks Access Pass, which would fund all state parks including Mono Lake and Bodie by adding $15 to vehicle license fees in exchange for year-round free parks access, was part of the package but did not come up for a vote.

It is still critically important to show support for parks. The overall budget package is likely headed into a series of negotiations between the governor and legislature and it’s important that parks funding is preserved!

Write a letter to the negotiation leadership and we’ll hand-deliver it to them in Sacramento! And stay tuned for further updates.

In the news: Sacramento Bee Democrats’ budget-balancing plan crashes and burns

An alpine lily gets a closeup. Photo courtesy of David Gubernick.

With an unusually cool and rainy spring season in the Mono Basin, the flower displays are amazing! Desert flowers are still putting on a good show, with higher-elevation species coming into full bloom in the canyons. It’s a great time to visit Mono Lake.

This flower year will be spectacular for photographers. If you’ve ever thought about getting into wildflower photography, now is your chance! This weekend accomplished photographer David Gubernick will be teaching a Mono Lake Committee workshop: The Art of Wildflower Macrophotography. David offers a relaxed and supportive atmosphere for beginners, and his wealth of knowledge will benefit experts too.

Sign up this week to join what promises to be a great class!

In an inspirational show of support for the Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve, Bodie State Park, and all State Parks, over 100 people gathered at the Tufa State Reserve Boardwalk at Mono Lake to participate in the Save Our State Parks effort in support of State Parks around California today.

The concern for the future of State Parks runs deep in this neck of the woods, (more…)

Two days until the Summer Solstice, and sure enough it is starting to warm up, but not yet starting to dry out–it rained for about an hour last night. The Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua starts tomorrow, lots of birders are in town, and excitement is (more…)

As a returning Intern, and this year’s Canoe Coordinator for the Mono Lake Committee, I look forward to doing something new every day to help protect and restore this incredible place.  This past Monday was a typical example of the unexpected diversity of tasks I can expect to do every day I come to work. (more…)

The Mono Lake Committee is excited and proud to announce the winners of the 2009 Mono Lake Committee Scholarships! Justin Frederick Diem of the Eastern Sierra Academy, Erika Flores of Lee Vining High School, and Juan Carlos Pina of the Eastern Sierra Academy wrote moving essays that won them each $1,000 to help with their pursuit of higher education.

Justin answered the question: “How has Mono Lake or the Mono Basin influenced your life and your choice to go to college?” (more…)

Yesterday the Legislature’s Budget Conference Committee voted to eliminate general budget funding for State Parks and replace it with a new funding source. Which leads to the natural question, how would this new funding work?

The funding concept, variously dubbed the State Park Access Pass or Vehicle Park Pass, is based on legislation proposed last year by then-Assemblymember John Laird (the bill did not pass the Senate). Here are some details (more…)

In a high stakes two-part move today, the state legislature’s Budget Conference Committee voted to take two steps on funding for the State Park system.

First, disaster! The Budget Committee concurred with the Governor and cut all general funding for California State Parks. As outlined in the Governor’s proposal, this would close 80% of the system, but …

Second, recovery–maybe. The Budget Committee approved, on a divided vote, enactment of a replacement funding source: direct funding from (more…)

Mono Lake, Bodie–and indeed 80% of all State Parks–are threatened with closure in the current California budget crisis.

This dramatic and unnecessary action would undermine Mono Lake’s protection, shutter Bodie, damage the tourism-based economy of Mono County, and reduce state revenues.

A replacement source of funding that would keep the State Park system operating is now under negotiation. Your letter of support for the State Park system will make a difference!

• Learn what you can do — and read the latest updates — in our Action Alert center!