Read “A fresh heir in Muir country” in today’s Los Angeles Times—the article features Robert Hanna. Robert wears many hats, including that of California state park advocate, board member of the John Muir Association, and oh yes … he’s John Muir’s great-great-grandson.

Robert Hanna, third from left, celebrates the removal of Mono Lake's state park from the closure list on December 1, 2011. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.

Robert’s enthusiasm and help was instrumental in getting the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve removed from the park closure list in December. He’s now working with other state parks around California that remain on the list; he says “66 state parks still need all the help they can get.”

Take a look at the article’s accompanying video, which features footage of Mono Lake on a typical windy fall day.

Keep an eye on the Mon0-logue for news about the new John Muir quote T-shirt we’re working on with Robert’s company, Range of Light!

One of the classic Mono Lake Committee history stories starts something like this … in the late 1970s, Mono Lake Committee founder David Gaines toured tirelessly around California with a carousel of slides and a call to help a dying lake—talking to anyone who would listen. Well, you know the rest of the story … so, clearly, it worked. To this day, we meet people who tell the tale of how they learned of the plight of Mono Lake and joined in the effort through one of Gaines’ slideshows. We continue the tradition by  (more…)

Happy holidays from everyone at the Mono Lake Committee!

The Information Center & Bookstore will be closed Christmas day, December 25, 2011 as well as New Year’s day, January 1, 2012.

For Mono Lake weather information, click here. Click here for road closures and conditions.

Hey all you Amazon.com holiday shoppers….

Did you know that by clicking on the shop for Mono Lake link on the Mono Lake Committee’s website, Amazon will donate 5% of your purchase to help the restoration, education, and protection of Mono Lake?

It’s as easy as that! If you are going to do your holiday shopping on Amazon, simply click this link or type “www.shopformonolake.org” into your browser, and it will take you to Amazon. From there, Amazon will track what you buy and give Mono Lake 5% of your total purchase.

When you’re done there, don’t forget to shop the Committee’s online store for all of your Mono Lake Committee logo gear!

As always, thank you for your support and have a wonderful holiday season.

Since the news that The Mono Lake Story film was accepted into the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Bristlecone Media has been hard at work putting together an official trailer to promote the film. We love this beautiful condensed version of the 27-minute film, and we hope it will make everyone want to see more!

Bristlecone Media also put together a snazzy dedicated website for The Mono Lake Story. In a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filming process you can see a photograph of Jonah Matthewson capturing poconip—the Mono Basin’s unique freezing fog—from a precipice near Conway Summit! Check it out here.

Information Center & Bookstore Manager Jessica Horn shows off some of the great holiday items from the store! Photo by Morgan Lindsay.

Let the Mono Lake Committee staff play Santa for you this year! Shop online, through the catalog in the Fall 2011 Mono Lake Newsletter, call us up at (760) 647-6595, or stop in and see us in Lee Vining!

We have Mono Lake Committee logo gear for everyone in the family, pottery and prints by local artists, jewelry, toys, and books galore.

All profits from your holiday purchases go to Mono Lake, so start clicking, calling, and shopping!

Though traffic is slowing in Lee Vining, the Mono Lake Committee’s Information Center & Bookstore remains open from 9:00am–5:00pm, seven days a week.

However, we will be closed Thanksgiving Day, November 24, and for our annual staff working retreat, November 30.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving! Check back for December holiday hours the first week of December.

Norman Schaefer. Photo by Dan Pattitucci.

Join us for this special evening as legendary mountaineers and writers Norman Schaefer and Doug Robinson read from their respective books at 4:30pm, Monday, October 17 at the Mono Lake Committee. (more…)

Fall has arrived and with it a few changes in the Mono Basin!

Hours and closures:
The Scenic Area Visitor Center is now open Thursday–Monday, 9:00am–4:30pm.
Tioga Pass Resort is now closed for the season.
Saddlebag Lake Resort is now closed for the season. The water taxi is no longer running.

Campground updates:
Ellery, Junction, Tioga, and Saddlebag campgrounds have all closed for the winter.
Aspen Campground is scheduled to close on October 17.

Visit the Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore, open 9:00am–5:00pm daily, or the Scenic Area Visitor Center for more information on seasonal closures.

Starting Friday, September 23rd the Information Center & Bookstore will be open from 9:00am–5:00pm, seven days a week.

We are open throughout the winter with the exception of major holidays, so come visit us for information on fall colors and Mono Lake, or to do your holiday shopping.

We have an excellent selection of books, maps, cards, T-shirts, jewelry, and locally-made items.