Thursday, January 17th, 2013 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
It’s always exciting to deliver good news to people, and this month I had the pleasure of doing just that! With a little help from my ladybug friend (see photo) and a handful of cheery and encouraging fellow Mono Lake Committee staff, on January 3, 29 tickets, out of thousands, were drawn for the 2012 Free Drawing for Mono Lake.
The 2013 Free Drawing drawing. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.
After names were drawn congratulations were in order—I called each winner to notify them they had won a (more…)
Monday, January 7th, 2013 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
We are sad to relay the news that longtime supporter and friend to Mono Lake, Huell Howser has passed away. Huell introduced countless people to Mono Lake through his first visit with “California’s Gold” in 1992 and then again in 2008 when he returned to film another episode, “Mono Lake Today,” about the exciting restoration progress.
Huell Howser paddling at South Tufa with Mono Lake Committee Executive Director Geoffrey McQuilkin in 2008. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.
It’s not uncommon for us to hear visitors say, “I first learned about Mono Lake from Huell Howser (more…)
Sunday, December 23rd, 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
A view of the Mono Craters from the lake's north shore. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.
As the year draws to a close, our thoughts have turned toward 2013 and all the exciting work we’ll be doing for Mono Lake. No doubt you’ve seen many requests for year-end donations these days … please keep us in mind as you make your gifts.
Donations from members and friends are what power the Mono Lake Committee’s successful protection, restoration, education, and science programs.
Today—right now—is the perfect time to make a year-end gift to benefit Mono Lake. We make it easy to do online, plus we have fantastic limited-time thank-you gifts.
Friday, December 21st, 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
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.
For over 30 years, visitors to Lee Vining have been lured off of Highway 395 and into the Mono Lake Committee by the iconic storefront and mural—and for many the colorful front with its deep steps has become the lasting image of the Mono Lake Committee and the town of Lee Vining.
Left to right: The Mono Lake Committee storefront in 1978, 1982, and 1990. Archive photos.
But visitors this past summer arrived to find a sight not seen since the Committee first moved into the building more than three decades ago: a complete renovation of the building-front and (more…)
Wednesday, November 28th, 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 Mono Lake Committee’s 2012 Annual Report is hot off the press and available to view online!
Read about the 2011 projects and activities in our focus areas of protection, stream restoration, education, and scientific research. View the Committee’s financial (more…)
Friday, November 16th, 2012 by Angie, Project SpecialistcloseAuthor: Angie, Project SpecialistName: Angie Glaser Title: Project Specialist About: Originally from coastal Southern California, Angie answered the call of the mountains and has spent the past three summers in the Sierra, including one as the Mono Lake Committee's Canoe Coordinator. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara she worked in outdoor education and interned for the National Park Service. When she’s not paddling through swarms of brine shrimp, you can find her backpacking, climbing, or cooking really spicy Thai curry.See All Posts by Angie (18) Contact Angie
On October 23, State Assemblymember Kristin Olsen hosted a Parks Appreciation Night celebrating organizations in her district that helped keep state parks from closing.
Robert Hanna and Assemblymember Kristin Olsen at Mono Lake. Photo courtesy of Christian Koszka, Freetime Productions.
The Mono Lake Committee and the Bodie Foundation were recognized for their work in keeping the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve open, along with (more…)
Tuesday, November 13th, 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 photo on the cover of the Fall 2012 Mono Lake Newsletter was taken from the back seat of a Cessna flying at precisely 1,200 feet above Mono Lake during the annual fall Eared Grebe survey. Sixteen transects over the lake were expertly flown by LightHawk volunteer pilot Geoff Pope while local photographer Stephen Ingram followed the study’s photography protocol of holding his camera out the window to capture images of the small dots peppering the vast lake surface. (more…)
Thursday, November 8th, 2012 by Angie, Project SpecialistcloseAuthor: Angie, Project SpecialistName: Angie Glaser Title: Project Specialist About: Originally from coastal Southern California, Angie answered the call of the mountains and has spent the past three summers in the Sierra, including one as the Mono Lake Committee's Canoe Coordinator. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara she worked in outdoor education and interned for the National Park Service. When she’s not paddling through swarms of brine shrimp, you can find her backpacking, climbing, or cooking really spicy Thai curry.See All Posts by Angie (18) Contact Angie
The Mono Lake Committee has just taken another huge step in our efforts to reduce our ecological footprint.
Isabel, Jim, and TJ from Sierra Solar install panels on the roof of the Committee's Information Center & Bookstore. Photo by Bartshe Miller.
The south-facing roof of our bookstore building is now completely covered with 33 photovoltaic solar panels, bringing our total solar panel count up to 42. Local business Sierra Solarinstalled panels on our “ice house” office building in 2010 and came back to complete the solar energy transformation. Committee buildings are now completely maxed out on solar panel surface area and are well on their way to becoming (more…)
Saturday, November 3rd, 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
There are only 51 days left before Christmas … time to start checking off your lists at the Mono Lake Committee’s online store! Take a look at our 2012 fall catalog selections to get some ideas flowing, and keep an eye here on the Mono-logue—we’ll be featuring our favorite products for the season all month long.
When you shop with the Mono Lake Committee, 100% of your purchases benefit the protection, restoration, and education efforts happening for Mono Lake.
