Friday, July 6th, 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
Many visitors to the Eastern Sierra are familiar with the breathtaking journey by car from Lee Vining up Tioga Pass to Yosemite National Park. It’s one thing to drive up Tioga Pass, but once each year, a group of enthusiasts from near and far gather to experience Tioga Pass on foot. Join the camaraderie of the 32nd annual Tioga Pass Run on Sunday September 9, 2012. All proceeds from the run benefit the Mono Lake Committee.
On your mark, get set, go! Nearly 100 runners start their journey up Tioga Pass.
A male Violet-green Swallow. Photo courtesy of Nora Livingston.
I had no idea that nesting Violet-green Swallows would snatch feathers tossed into the air. During June, I went for a walk with Birding Intern Erica, and she suggested we pick up little feathers for the swallows to catch. I watched her hold a feather above her head, and wave it around a bit. The swallows soon came close and she let that feather go. The breeze wafted it about a bit and a fast swallow caught it with her beak. Additional feathers were tossed into the air and other female swallows caught them. (more…)
Monday, July 2nd, 2012 by Lynette, Project SpecialistcloseAuthor: Lynette, Project SpecialistName: Lynette Villagomez Title: Project Specialist About: A native of the Coachella Valley, Lynette attended Humboldt State University and graduated in June of 2012 with a major in Environmental Science and a minor in Natural Resources Planning. She enjoys traveling, knitting, baking, collecting agates, hiking, and exploring new places. She brings her interest in water politics and environmental justice to the Mono Lake Committee, where she manages social media and assists with membership. Lynette likes to paddle board on Mono Lake and has plans to someday build her own yurt.See All Posts by Lynette (8) Contact Lynette
One hundred and eighty two—that’s how many pounds of sweet clover we pulled on June 22nd with the help of volunteers from the outdoor clothing outfitter, Patagonia. The Patagonia crew came down from Reno to help the Mono Lake Committee kick-off the summer season of invasive plant removal along the Lake Trail at Old Marina.
The Patagonia crew on the Lake Trail, minus 182 pounds of the invasive plant, sweet clover. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.
Although it was hot out, and the soil was compacted, everyone was eager to tackle the daunting task of removing the hardy invasive plants. Sweet clover is (more…)
Monday, July 2nd, 2012 by Lynette, Project SpecialistcloseAuthor: Lynette, Project SpecialistName: Lynette Villagomez Title: Project Specialist About: A native of the Coachella Valley, Lynette attended Humboldt State University and graduated in June of 2012 with a major in Environmental Science and a minor in Natural Resources Planning. She enjoys traveling, knitting, baking, collecting agates, hiking, and exploring new places. She brings her interest in water politics and environmental justice to the Mono Lake Committee, where she manages social media and assists with membership. Lynette likes to paddle board on Mono Lake and has plans to someday build her own yurt.See All Posts by Lynette (8) Contact Lynette
Summer has arrived, and with it comes Restoration Wednesdays! Join the Mono Lake Committee to help restore the Mono Basin ecosystem. Restoration Wednesdays meet every Wednesday at the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area Visitor Center patio at 10:00am.
Lend a hand at Mono Lake on Restoration Wednesdays. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.
We will do a short introduction to restoration and the type of work to expect for the day followed by an excursion to the site. Restoration will either involve pulling of invasive plant species or watering Jeffrey pine saplings, (more…)
Hearing rocks fall while standing at the bottom of a mountain cliff with lots of talus immediately below the cliff makes a person look up. Hearing more rocks fall thirty seconds after the first gets the adrenaline going. Falling rocks can turn into a dramatic rock slide, or they can amount to nothing much at all. When I heard the sounds of moving rocks a third time, I could tell the noises were closer to me so I pulled out my binoculars and began scanning the slope above. It was either (more…)
Sunday, July 1st, 2012 by Jessica, Information Center & Bookstore ManagercloseAuthor: Jessica, Information Center & Bookstore ManagerName: Jessica Ashley Title: Information Center & Bookstore Manager About: Jess stocks the store with educational, handmade, local, and ecologically friendly merchandise and keeps operations functioning efficiently. After working for a summer in the Committee bookstore, Jess joined the staff full-time in May of 2011. Jess' extensive retail experience and love of the Eastern Sierra make her perfectly suited for her role as Information Center & Bookstore Manager.See All Posts by Jessica (22) Contact Jessica
Devils Postpile. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service.
After last November’s significant wind storm, now appropriately called “The Devils Windstorm,” caused considerable damage to the Devils Postpile/Reds Meadow area, the sites are now open for the season.
The Reds Meadow shuttle service is running, and the Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow campgrounds are open. Check here for updates on other Forest Service campground openings.
The wind event occurred November 30 through December 1, 2011. Wind came from the northeast, reaching the valley at (more…)
