Monday, April 30th, 2012 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
With the Tioga road open to the high gate over the weekend and a clear forecast in the days ahead, it looks possible that Tioga Pass could open this week.
There are lots of rumors out there, and given the warm weather and sparse snow year, it makes sense. Here at the Committee we’ve heard that the official word is May 15. That being said, we (more…)
Wednesday, April 25th, 2012 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
Today the Remodel Cam captured the feet of Roy from Escoto Construction & Design ... much more to come!
Check out the Mono Lake Committee’s newest, temporary webcam: the Remodel Cam! Greg installed it just inside the front doors today, and it’s pointing out toward the street to bring you glimpses of our exciting remodel project.
This camera will be on most of the time from 6:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday, for the duration of the project. We may move the camera around to show different views, and we may need to unplug it if someone needs to use the internet in the bookstore. Also, inclement weather delays the remodel, so if you see snow or rain in the camera, you probably won’t see anyone working.
Keep checking to see the ADA-accessible lift installed, the granite boulders stabilized, and the new deck materialize … plus much more. Let us know what you think in the comments section!
Wednesday, April 25th, 2012 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
In December 2011, a staff member at the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (DWP) wrote to the State Water Board and recommended that the ongoing scientific monitoring of the ecological health of Mono Lake be discontinued.
Alkali flies floating on the surface of Mono Lake. Photo courtesy of Jonathan K. Armstrong, PhD.
Here at the Mono Lake Committee we were, in a word, shocked. Not only is the program a condition of DWP’s water export licenses, it is also a part of a signed legal settlement reached between the Committee, DWP, and other parties over a decade ago. Most importantly, monitoring of the lake is the essential scientific tool for measuring the ecological health of Mono Lake and its (more…)
Monday, April 23rd, 2012 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
The Mono Lake Committee’s current storefront remodel project is an exercise in planning, engineering, construction, and … art. Right in there with the deck, shade structures, greywater system, steps, lights, picnic tables, water fountain, and boulders, there is a spot dedicated to what will soon be a ten-foot by ten-foot map of Mono Lake inlaid into the concrete.
In early conversations with the architects the idea for using the outline of the lake in the plans materialized when looking at the space we had available, and it quickly became a signature feature.
You can see the outline of Mono Lake in the aerial view of the remodel.
Years later, with the asphalt torn up, it’s time to turn the idea (more…)
Friday, April 20th, 2012 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 (30) Contact Bartshé
As of Friday, April 20 there is no official date on when Tioga Pass will open, and there is no update on where the park crew is along the road. However, CalTrans has cleared all the way to the Tioga Pass gate, and there is 3–4 feet of snow along the road depending on where and how you measure. Much of the snow is from the recent, significant storm of April 12–13. We have not heard when the lower gate will be open, but today I saw several groups of skiers making the trek by foot up and down the road. The recent stretch of warm temperatures brings a unique Tioga Road experience: tree rrogs singing in a ditch just below the blue slide.
Two views of Tioga Pass on April 20, 2012. Photos by Bartshe Miller.
Sunday, April 15th, 2012 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
Registration opened today for the 11th annual Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua! Take a look at the program of over 70 events, begin the registration process to see which events are still open, and sign up … you won’t want to miss out. Mono Lake is for the birds—and you too! We hope to see you at the Chautauqua in June.
Yellow-headed Blackbird at Mono Lake. Photo by Ben Winger.
Thursday, April 12th, 2012 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
As of April 1, the winter precipitation in Lee Vining added up to 45% of average, and Mono Basin snowpack measured 47% of average. The forecast for April–July runoff is 50% of average.
An average March for precipitation in the Mono Basin brought to an end the 2011 Runoff Year (April 1, 2011–March 31, 2012). The preliminary runoff total for last year is 142% of average. (more…)
Tuesday, April 10th, 2012 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
Are you looking for an internship in paradise? There are five internship positions currently available with the Mammoth-Mono Lake Ranger District through the Inyo National Forest. If you are interested in gaining public land management experience with the Forest Service, this is a great opportunity. Please read on for more details. (more…)
Sunday, April 8th, 2012 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
Last week the Mono Basin Visitor Center reopened for the year. Stop by and see their exhibits, visit the bookstore, and enjoy the beautiful view of Mono Lake from the back patio! The Visitor Center is open Thursday–Monday from 9:00am until 4:30pm.
The Mono Basin Visitor Center. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.
Friday, April 6th, 2012 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
The road to Bodie State Historic Park opened yesterday at noon, just in time for the holiday weekend. Bodie’s museum is not yet open (opening May 1), but you can visit the park during their open hours of 9:00am–3:00pm.
As you travel to Mono Lake this weekend be sure to stop by Bodie as well—you won’t be disappointed!
