Mono Basin snow survey results
Winter started out wet, but January was dry. In Lee Vining, there were only 3.7 inches of new snow measured in January, and none fell since January 8. The Mono Basin was blanketed with snow and then covered in poconip…
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World Wetlands Day at Mono Lake
On Sunday, February 1, Eastern Sierra students from two counties participated in the Experience Ambientalia program for World Wetlands Day. In partnership with the Mono Lake Committee, local high school teachers, and our colleagues at Laguna Mar Chiquita in northern Argentina, these students…
Trapped in the fog: My first winter in the Mono Basin
The Mono Basin has been mired in fog since late December 2025. Everyone is always quick to wax poetic about the beauty of the snow blanketed Sierra. They speak fondly of cozying up to warm fires on chilly winter nights.…
Major Mono Lake report to be released soon by UCLA climate science team
To understand how Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (DWP) stream diversions affect Mono Lake in the era of climate change, the California State Water Resources Control Board commissioned UCLA’s Center for Climate Science to conduct a major study.…
Wilson’s Phalaropes advance toward endangered species protection
Last week Wilson’s Phalaropes, the small shorebirds that rely on saline lakes like Mono Lake, inched toward protection under the Endangered Species Act. The US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) released a “positive 90-day finding,” which advances the birds to…
California: Drought-free, good water supplies. DWP: Keep exporting!
This post was written by Caelen McQuilkin, Project Specialist, and Teri Tracy, Eastern Sierra Policy Coordinator. After months of wet weather, Californians are embracing some welcome news. According to the US Drought Monitor’s five-level scale, there are no areas of drought in the state for the first time in 25…
Field seminar registration opens February 15
The list of 2026 Mono Basin Field Seminars and their itineraries will be posted online on Sunday, February 1. In addition to some familiar favorites, keep an eye out for new itineraries—you might find yourself tracking wildlife, wading through waterways, or keying plants this summer! We will…
Now hiring: Information Center & Bookstore Assistants
Come join our awesome team in the Eastern Sierra’s beautiful Mono Basin! We are seeking two people who are excited to spend a season learning about the ecological, cultural, and historical significance of Mono Lake and sharing its importance with many thousands of visitors. Working in the Information Center &…
Forest Service rescues wild horses trapped in snow
This month, the Inyo National Forest rescued 24 wild horses trapped in the snow, far from reliable forage and water, east of Highway 395 in the Bald Mountain area. The horses are from the Montgomery Pass herd. This herd has expanded in size…
Join the Mono Lake Volunteer program
If you are inspired by the uniqueness of the Mono Basin and want to help protect Mono Lake in your free time, then the Mono Lake Volunteer program is for you. The program contributes to important work in the Mono…