Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 by Morgan, Policy CoordinatorcloseAuthor: Morgan, Policy CoordinatorName: Morgan Lindsay Title: Project Specialist About: Morgan works to support the protection and restoration of Mono Lake and its tributary streams in the office and out in the field. She loves doing something different every day, from monitoring the lake's rise and groundwater patterns along the creek's bottomlands to researching policy issues. But after three summers sharing Mono Lake with visitors by canoe, Morgan's favorite job will always be making new friends for the lake. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College with an Environmental Studies degree in Water Science & Policy, there is nowhere Morgan would rather be than the Mono Basin. If she's not out hiking, skiing, or digging in the dirt with the Sierra Bounty CSA, Morgan's probably at rehearsal for the next Eastern Sierra theatrical adventure—eager for any socially acceptable excuse to sport a goatee.See All Posts by Morgan (33) Contact Morgan
Even as the California Legislature budget conference committee is busy deciding exactly how much money to strip away from California’s 278 unique state parks this year, there are hopeful signs of a long-awaited funding solution for state parks. (more…)
Thursday, June 24th, 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 (91) Contact Arya
We’re excited to announce the launch of The Mono Lake Effect, news and information about Mono Lake, delivered directly to your inbox each month.
The name was inspired by lake effect snow which occurs when cold, humid air blows across Mono Lake’s warmer waters, triggering snowfall in the areas downwind of the lake. It is also a nod to the fact that the wild and natural beauty of Mono Lake and the inspirational story of what has and continues to happen here, have a profound effect on many people.
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 by Geoff, Executive DirectorcloseAuthor: Geoff, Executive DirectorName: Geoffrey McQuilkin Title: Executive Director About: Geoff's goals for the Committee are: assuring Mono Lake's continuing protection, restoring Mono Lake's tributary streams, developing a permanent education program, and assuring that the strong tradition of scientific research at Mono Lake continues. A graduate of Harvard in the history of science, Geoff has worked for the Committee since 1992 and was an intern and volunteer before that. He's happy to live close to the lake with his wife Sarah and their daughters Caelen and Ellery.See All Posts by Geoffrey (105) Contact Geoffrey
We’ve been receiving calls and inquiries about a large earth construction that has been growing on the hill across from Lee Vining over the past two weeks. The questions are pretty simple: what is that, why is it happening–and is it needed? We’ve been asking questions, and here’s what we’ve found out so far.
View of airport earthworks from Highway 395
Question number one is easy to answer: the project taking place is the rehabilitation of the Lee Vining airport. Yes, Lee Vining has an airport. We’re (more…)
Wednesday, June 23rd, 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 (91) Contact Arya
We’re proud to announce the winners of the 2010 Mono Lake Committee Scholarship. Andrew Oliveira of the Eastern Sierra Academy and Katie Woodruff of Lee Vining High School were each awarded $1,000 scholarships to support their pursuit of higher education.
Geoff McQuilkin presented Andrew Oliveira with a Mono Lake Committee Scholarship at the Eastern Sierra Academy graduation. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.
Arya Degenhardt presented Katie Woodruff with a Mono Lake Committee Scholarship at the Lee Vining High School graduation. Photo courtesy of Sarah Taylor.
Scholarship applicants must write an essay demonstrating their connection to Mono Lake by answering one of two questions: (more…)
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 by Elin, Communications CoordinatorcloseAuthor: Elin, Communications CoordinatorName: Elin Ljung Title: Communications Coordinator About: Elin's job 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. Elin is an EMT 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 (133) Contact Elin
For more photos from the 2010 Chautauqua, check out the Mono Lake Committee’s Flickr set and join the Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua group to add your images to the collection. And mark your calendar right away for the tenth anniversary of the Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua: June 17–19, 2011!
Jeffrey Foucault & Kris Delmhorst drew from their repertoire of songs about birds for the Chautauqua crowd. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.
Rob, Bob, Lundy, and Rena prepared tasty meals as a fundraiser for Lee Vining High School. Photo by Elin Ljung.
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 by Greg, Information & Restoration SpecialistcloseAuthor: Greg, Information & Restoration SpecialistName: Greg Reis Title: Information & Restoration 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. 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 California Society for Ecological Restoration.See All Posts by Greg (134) Contact Greg
The Mono Lake Volunteer program needs spotting scopes to help the public view the birds of the lake, and also to monitor the Osprey nests on the tufa towers for research purposes. Old, used scopes are best, since they will get a lot of wear and tear. We especially need heavy-duty tripods that can stand up to high winds and lots of toting around. Your donation will help Mono Lake and your old scope will have a second life!
Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Janet Carle for more information or to donate a scope or tripod.
If you have an old spotting scope you're not using, consider donating it to the Mono Lake Volunteer Program. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.
Friday, June 18th, 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 (91) Contact Arya
I ran back to the office after an awesome morning of birding to let everyone know that the Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua is underway. It’s a beautiful weekend in the Mono Basin, and I encourage everyone to join the event if you’ve got the time.
There are some free events that are still open to the general public — for kids and parents alike.
Michael Ross will be traveling over from Yosemite to lead two children’s programs during the Chautauqua weekend. Michael has led field classes and hikes for the Yosemite Association for more than 30 years. He has written and illustrated over forty children’s books inspired by his life and work in the mountains. These two events (detailed below) are free, but space is limited so please reserve a spot by calling Lisa or Morgan at the Mono Lake Committee at 760-647-6595. (more…)
Thursday, June 17th, 2010 by Rosanne, Office DirectorcloseAuthor: Rosanne, Office DirectorName: Rosanne Catron Title: Office Manager About: Originally from Bishop, Rose's easy-going, friendly personality make her perfectly suited for her role as Office Director. Rose creates the complicated bookstore schedule, oversees the intern and volunteer programs, and keeps office relations smooth and happy.See All Posts by Rosanne (34) Contact Rosanne
Starting Thursday, June 17th, we will go to our longer, summer hours: 8:00am to 9:00pm, 7 days a week! Come in to find out about good birding spots and places to visit, browse our book selection, visit the beautiful gallery, or watch the Mono Lake Story slide show.
We also have some unique new items in the Information Center & Bookstore, from organic, handmade soaps to recycled notebooks.
If you are in town for the Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua this weekend, or if you are a bird lover here to do some birding on your own, come in and check out our wide selection of bird books—whether you want to identify local species or brush up on your knowledge of plumage, feeding habits, eggs and nests, or songs, we have the books to help you out!
Friday, June 11th, 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 (91) Contact Arya
Mono Lake Committee founder David Gaines toured tirelessly around California with carousel of slides and a call to help a dying lake–talking to anyone who would listen. The Mono Lake Committee has continued this tradition by showing The Mono Lake Story slideshow at our headquarters in Lee Vining every year to thousands of visitors and Mono Lake enthusiasts. This old tradition will now continue in a new media format.
We are excited to announce that we are creating a 20-minute film (more…)
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 by Greg, Information & Restoration SpecialistcloseAuthor: Greg, Information & Restoration SpecialistName: Greg Reis Title: Information & Restoration 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. 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 California Society for Ecological Restoration.See All Posts by Greg (134) Contact Greg
For the last four days, Lee Vining residents and visitors strolling down the Lee Vining Creek Trail could hear boulders knocking against each other over the roar of the whitewater in Lee Vining Creek. The “clunking” sound is coming from the creek—it is the sound of large “bedload” moving—rocks moving along the bottom.
Yesterday Lee Vining Creek peaked at 512 cfs. This is the highest flow in the creek since 1998. Maximizing the peak flow below the DWP diversion dam is the primary tool used to restore the creek from damage done by (more…)
money to strip away from California’s 278 unique state parks this year, there are hopeful signs of a long-awaited funding solution for state parks. (more…)
