Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 by Carolyn, Project SpecialistcloseAuthor: Carolyn, Project SpecialistName: Carolyn Weddle Title: Project Specialist About: Recently graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in Environmental Policy, Carolyn loves the outdoors and the Eastern Sierra and is known to make forays in the Nevada hills for further exploration. After spending a summer as a Retail Assistant in the Information Center & Bookstore, Carolyn is staying through the winter as a Project Specialist.See All Posts by Carolyn (14) Contact Carolyn
Mono Lake Committee staff at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Nevada City. Photo courtesy of Margaret Eissler.
Communications Director Arya Degenhardt, Education Director Bartshe Miller, Eastern Sierra Policy Director Lisa Cutting, and I were lucky enough to be able to go to this exciting event and see the world premiere of the Mono Lake Committee’s brand new film, The Mono Lake Story. The festival consisted of seven venues at a variety of locations in the town, which showed approximately 140 films from around the world. (more…)
Sunday, January 15th, 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 (97) Contact Elin
Take a look at the offerings, read up on the expert instructors, and plan your summer schedule. Then be ready to sign up at 9:00am on Wednesday, February 1!
Sunday, January 15th, 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 (22) Contact Morgan
Last week, Ed Armenta, the Inyo National Forest Supervisor, made the announcement that Lesley Yen has been chosen to serve as Acting Deputy District Ranger for the Mono Lake and Mammoth Ranger Districts—which includes the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area. (more…)
Tuesday, January 10th, 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 (97) Contact Elin
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.
Monday, January 9th, 2012 by Carolyn, Project SpecialistcloseAuthor: Carolyn, Project SpecialistName: Carolyn Weddle Title: Project Specialist About: Recently graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in Environmental Policy, Carolyn loves the outdoors and the Eastern Sierra and is known to make forays in the Nevada hills for further exploration. After spending a summer as a Retail Assistant in the Information Center & Bookstore, Carolyn is staying through the winter as a Project Specialist.See All Posts by Carolyn (14) Contact Carolyn
When I hear the word “pika,” I think of a small, cute, rabbit-like animal. Native to cold climates and rocky mountainsides, the American Pika is a well-known wild animal in the Sierra Nevada. But recently something has been happening to their habitat.
An American Pika in rocky, high-elevation Mono Basin habitat. Photo by Elin Ljung.
According to an article in the Sacramento Bee, the State of California is now looking at putting the American Pika under endangered status. After being rejected for protection under the California Endangered Species Act in 2009, further research has (more…)
Thursday, January 5th, 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 (97) Contact Elin
Mono Lake winter shoreline. Photo by Rick Knepp.
There are only three spaces left in the Mono Lake Committee’s annual winter photography field seminar coming up January 13–15 … sign up now to take advantage of the photo opportunities this quiet, beautiful season offers! Instructor Rick Knepp is a Mono Basin winter veteran and knows exactly where to lead the group for scenic photo options. In addition, the seminar includes a special dinner catered by Chef Linda Dore! To sign up visit our field seminars web page or give us a call at (760) 647-6595.
Sunday, January 1st, 2012 by Rosanne, Office ManagercloseAuthor: Rosanne, Office ManagerName: Rosanne Catron Title: Office Manager About: Originally from Bishop, Rose's easy-going, friendly personality make her perfectly suited for her role as Office Manager. Rose creates the complicated bookstore schedule, oversees the intern and volunteer programs, and keeps office relations smooth and happy.See All Posts by Rosanne (26) Contact Rosanne
Have you always dreamed of working at Mono Lake for the summer? Do you know someone who might be interested in learning the ropes at a successful non-profit in the Eastern Sierra? The summer 2012 seasonal job list is now available here. Hiring begins in January and positions are open until filled. If you’re interested in any of the positions available, apply early. If you have questions regarding the positions please read the job description for the appropriate contact person’s information.
The 2011 seasonal staff crew. You too can live and work in the beautiful Mono Basin with the Mono Lake Committee! Photo by Elin Ljung.
Saturday, December 31st, 2011 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 (70) Contact Arya
By now I’m sure you’ve guessed it … our #1 highlight for Mono Lake in 2011 was getting the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve removed from California’s state park closure list. It was, first and foremost, a group effort—with Mono Lake Committee members playing a key role in writing and signing thousands of letters and petitions that got the attention of key decision-makers in Sacramento as they were hand-delivered to their offices each week. Finding creative solutions (the working mantra of the Mono Lake Committee) played a key role in the effort, and we are enthusiastic about The Bodie Foundation stepping up (more…)
Friday, December 30th, 2011 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 (70) Contact Arya
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…)
Thursday, December 29th, 2011 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 (70) Contact Arya
In 2011 the Mono Lake Volunteers, in addition to their regular work helping Mono Lake visitors have a great experience, played a critical role in helping get the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve off the state park closure list. It is partnerships programs like the Mono Lake Volunteer program that show everyone from legislators to budget keepers that a strong, well-organized, and effective group of volunteers can play a critical role in supporting the work of state parks in protecting resources like Mono Lake while providing essential visitor services for agencies like the Reserve, the National Forest Scenic Area, and non-profits like the Mono Lake Committee.
Under the expert guidance of Volunteer Program Coordinator Janet Carle, the Mono Lake Volunteers (more…)
