Number 1 on our Top Ten highlights list is the remodeled Committee storefront—a multi-year process culminating in the construction and grand re-opening this past summer!

The crowd gathered for the storefront grand re-opening in August! Photo by Arya Degenhardt.

Among the many highlights and wonderful moments (more…)

Number 2 on our Top Ten highlights list is the intensive process of planning for a 21st century aqueduct that can deliver restoration flows to Mono Lake’s tributaries at the times they need it the most, deliver water to Mono Lake so it can rise to the management level of 6392 feet above sea level, as well as efficiently export water to Los Angeles.

An aerial view of Rush Creek, the Rush Creek return ditch, and Grant Lake Reservoir, which are key to the 21st century aqueduct discussions. Photo by Geoffrey McQuilkin.

If you’ve been following the Mono Lake Newsletter, you’ll know that the Committee has been working intensively on this process for nearly two years. (more…)

Number 3 on our Top Ten highlights list is the solution that is keeping Mono Lake’s state park open and operating.

Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve Interpretive Specialist Dave Marquart at Old Marina explaining how the new parking fee keeps the park open. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.

A little more than a year ago, we found out that the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve had been removed from the state’s closure list. The next day we began working on a plan for keeping the park open—the solution is a modest parking fee at Old Marina of only $3.00 per vehicle. An “iron ranger” for collecting fees was installed in May, and visitors to Old Marina have been dropping their fee envelopes in ever since!

Number 6 on our Top Ten highlights list are all the local kids who explored their Mono Basin backyard with the Committee’s Outdoor Experiences program.

OE Instructor Jessica Francois (in hat) teaches Lee Vining Elementary students about Lee Vining Creek. Photo by Santiago Escruceria.

Between creek walks, watershed studies, watering trees, sketching wildlife, planting saplings at school, and birding, Lee Vining’s students really got out there! Take a look: (more…)

Number 7 on our Top Ten highlights list is the first ever Los Angeles Wild & Scenic Film Festival.

Members mingle with Committee Board and staff at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.

Last March, the Mono Lake Committee brought the Wild & Scenic Film Festival to LA—featuring our film, The Mono Lake Story, in its Southern California premiere. The evening brought together local members, the filmmakers and composer, many of our partners in the area, and Committee Board and staff, all celebrating Mono Lake at (more…)

The Committee aspen tree will draw its water from the new greywater system. Photo by Elin Ljung.

Number 8 on our Top Ten highlight list are the great strides we made toward efficiency and reducing our ecological footprint.

In February, Sierra Watershed Progressive installed a greywater system that connects the public restroom sink and our swamp cooler with the landscaping out front. It’s only the fourth commercial project in California, and this summer visitors and staff watered the trees by washing their hands!

After the busy remodel summer, we squeezed in one more project before the snow arrived: adding 33 photovoltaic solar panels to the south-facing roof of the bookstore. Sierra Solar came back to help us max out our solar panel capacity after installing 9 panels on the ice house roof back in 2010. Making use of our high-altitude, consistent sun, our 42 solar panels will help us cut our grid electricity consumption by more than 50%.

Sierra Solar staff installed 33 panels on the Committee's bookstore roof in October. Photo by Bartshe Miller.

Number 9 on our Top Ten highlight list is the outpouring of feedback about Caltrans’ Lee Vining Rockfall Safety Project, the most recent Caltrans project proposed for the Mono Basin.

One of the Rockfall Project slopes, in a view from Old Marina. Photo by Geoff McQuilkin.

This project will address six roadcuts on the west side of Highway 395 near Old Marina, increasing safety by preventing rocks from falling onto the road. When we put out a call for comment letters to Mono Lake Committee members about Caltrans’ draft initial study document, you responded in force (more…)

Photo by Jessica Ashley.

Number 10 on our Top Ten highlight list happened on a Thursday back in July, when we got a surprise visit from a young man named Jasper, who played his violin in the doorway of the bookstore to raise money for Mono Lake.

He delighted visitors, passersby, and Committee staff with his musical talent, and his donation cup filled right up.

Months later, we’re still smiling about his very thoughtful donation to Mono Lake. Thank you, Jasper!

Andrea Mead Lawrence, 1932--2009. Photo courtesy of the Lawrence family.

Good news from Congress this Winter Solstice: Legislation naming Peak 12,240 in the Eastern Sierra in honor of Andrea Mead Lawrence, has passed! The bill now goes to President Obama’s desk for signature into law.

Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon hailed the passage of the legislation, saying, “Mr. Speaker, it is very fitting to name Peak 12,240 ‘Mt. Andrea Lawrence;’ both in her honor, and as a visible point of inspiration for future generations.”

The first step toward a Mt. Andrea Lawrence took place in September 2010, with a measure that Congressman McKeon sponsored. Later that year Information & Restoration Specialist Greg Reis traveled to the peak on foot for a good look during a very full day trip. Executive Director Geoff McQuilkin and family visited the peak the following summer on a multi-day trip. We’re happy to see such permanent recognition of a truly inspirational woman!

An apropos flower, "Alpine Gold," blooming on the top of Mt. Andrea Lawrence, summer 2011. Photo by Geoff McQuilkin.

Looking back at 2012, it was a very good year at Mono Lake. Starting on December 22, each day we’ll count down our top ten favorites of the great things that happened this past year, so keep an eye on the Mono-logue while you’re visiting with family and nibbling on holiday cookies. It’s the season to celebrate, so raise a glass for Mono Lake!

#10: Jasper’s music for Mono Lake

#9: Letters for Caltrans’ latest project

#8: Greening the Mono Lake Committee

#7: Los Angeles Wild & Scenic Film Festival

#6: Local kids outdoors at Mono Lake

#5: Trail Chic rocks the runway for outdoor education

#4: The wild world around us

#3: Mono Lake’s open state park

#2:  Working towards healthy streamflows for the Mono Basin’s creeks

#1: The new Mono Lake Committee storefront