PRBO researchers Kristie Nelson and Nora Livingston tally California Gull nests in May 2011. Photo by Russ Taylor.

Every Memorial Day weekend, PRBO Conservation Science and Mono Lake Committee volunteers count California Gull nests on Mono Lake’s islets as part of a study that has taken place annually since 1983. This year, PRBO’s Kristie Nelson reported that over three days, the group counted 20,056 nests, which was much better than last year’s tally of only 16,700 nests. However, it is still below the long-term average of 23,000. (more…)

Take a look at Mono Lake from above, courtesy of Venue, a new project of the Nevada Museum of Art.

Over the next fifteen months, Venue will travel around North America exploring the continent. The project aims to provide venues for exchanging ideas in rural places since so many interesting ideas, people, phenomena, projects, and places can be found far from cities … just like Mono Lake!

Take a look at the Summer 2012 Mono Lake Newsletter online.

It’s packed with informative articles about the Committee’s work, contains updates about local issues, and has a map of the area to help you during your visit.

Happy reading!

Last November the Sierra Nevada experienced extremely high winds that resulted in tens of thousands of fallen trees in the Tioga Pass, Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile, and Mammoth Lakes Basin areas. The mild winter and spring allowed Forest Service crews to begin clearing the damage right away, but it remains extensive.

Reds Meadow was hit particularly hard and remains closed to all public access by vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians (more…)

An exciting project called Digital 395 is bringing fast broadband internet service to the Eastern Sierra, and construction starts in the next few weeks. The fiber optic line is expected to “light up” in mid-2013, opening the door to many new opportunities currently unavailable in our rural area.

Digital 395 has successfully worked through the environmental approval process, and construction has started (more…)

This morning we changed the angle of the Remodel Cam to show the metal frame of our roughly ten-foot-square Mono Lake map out in front of the store. The map will be filled with blue concrete sometime in the next week, with a pale stain for Paoha Island and a dark stain for Negit Island. Keep your eye on the cam to see the concrete map take shape….

Staff and contractors admire the lake frame before getting it oriented just right. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.

A cool detail about the map—the concrete slab around the lake needs seams in order to (more…)

A week ago Saturday an unusual event took place on the Dana Glacier at the Sierra Crest. As part of Climate Impacts Day, a project organized by 350.org, a group of climbers unfurled an 80-foot-square banner that read “I’m melting” across the glacier. And it’s true.

Dana Glacier's "I'm melting" banner. Photo courtesy of 350.org.

The article includes a quote about the Sierra’s dramatically-shrinking glaciers from Yosemite National Park’s geologist Greg Stock: “Given the amount of change we’ve seen even over the past few decades, I think it’s safe to say that those glaciers will be gone in 100 years. They may even be gone in 50 years and there’s a chance that some of them will be gone in 20 years.”

After almost the shortest winter closure in history, Tioga Pass (Highway 120) opened through Yosemite National Park at noon. The road closed for the winter on January 17, 2012 just before the first substantial snowstorms finally arrived. After such a dry winter summertime will come quickly to Yosemite’s high country. As you drive through, make sure to watch for wildlife and visitors near the road. Enjoy your trip to Yosemite!

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!

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.