Learn more on a field seminar
Through a combination of field excursions and classroom presentations, field seminars emphasize a spirit of learning and camaraderie in a magnificent outdoor setting at a reasonable cost. Instructors are experts in their fields and include scientists, naturalists, and acclaimed photographers, writers, historians, and artists.
Learn more on a field seminar
Through a combination of field excursions and classroom presentations, field seminars emphasize a spirit of learning and camaraderie in a magnificent outdoor setting at a reasonable cost. Instructors are experts in their fields and include scientists, naturalists, and acclaimed photographers, writers, historians, and artists.
Seminar registration
Registration opened at 9:00am PDT on Friday, February 7, 2025 for Mono Lake Committee members. Non-members can register starting on March 1, 2025 or join as a member to register in February. If you have any questions, please send us an email or call (760) 647-6595.
2025 Field Seminars
| Seminar and Instructor | Date | Member/Non-member price | GROUP SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Aqueduct Tour Maureen McGlinchy & Robbie Di Paolo | May 3 | $140/$155 | 15 |
| Documenting the Range of Light Sarah Attar | May 9–11 | $360/$380 | 10 |
| Breeding Birds of the Mono Basin Nora Livingston | May 23–25 | $265/$280 | 12 |
| Avian Ecology of the Mono Basin David Wimpfheimer | June 27–29 | $300/$315 | 12 |
| Brush & Bloom | July 11–13 | $265/$280 | 12 |
| Ashes to Avalanches: The Mono Basin in Recovery Todd Wanner | July 18–20 | $265/$280 | 12 |
| Butterflies & Moths of the Eastern Sierra Paul Johnson | July 25–27 | $265/$280 | 10 |
| Geology of the Mono Basin: Land of Fire & Ice – (will be filled by a lottery) Greg Stock | August 1–3 | $265/$280 | 14 |
| Cuentos y Cantos al Desierto (English itinerary, Spanish itinerary) Stacey Villalobos – This bilingual seminar is specifically designed to create a space for native & heritage Spanish-speaking participants. | August 8–10 | $40–80 sliding scale | enrollment limited |
| Mono Basin Landscape & Dark Sky Night Photography Jeff Sullivan & Lori Hibbett | August 15–17 | $360/$380 | 10 |
| Falling for the Migration: Bridgeport, Crowley, Mono Dave Shuford | August 22–24 | $265/$280 | 14 |
| Miwok-Paiute Basketry Lucy Parker, Dr. Julia Parker, & Ursula Jones | August 22–24 | $575/$600 | 10 |
| Communing with Land and Water Bree Salazar – This seminar is specifically designed for self-identifying BIPoC participants. | August 29–31 | $40–80 sliding scale | enrollment limited |
| Natural History at the Edge of the Sierra Nora Livingston | September 12–14 | $265/$280 | 14 |
| Geology of the Mono Basin: Land of Fire & Ice – (will be filled by a lottery) Greg Stock | September 26–28 | $265/$280 | 14 |
| Foraging in the Eastern Sierra Mia Andler | October 3–5 | $275/$290 | 15 |
| Mono Basin Fall Photography Robb Hirsch | October 8–10 | $360/$380 | 10 |
Geology of the Mono Basin lottery
This year, the two Geology of the Mono Basin field seminars will be filled by lottery. You may enter the lottery once when the lottery period is open. When applying for the lottery, you will be asked which seminar date(s) you would like to apply for, how many people are in your group, and if anyone in your group has attended the Geology of the Mono Basin field seminar before.
The lottery opened on February 7, 2025 at 9:00am PST and closed on February 17, 2025 at 11:59pm PST. Everyone was contacted on February 19, 2025 by email with the results of the lottery. If your lottery entry was successful, you had until February 26, 2025 to complete your registration. If your lottery entry was not successful, you will be notified of your position on the wait list (determined by random draw) and asked if you would like to accept that spot on the wait list. First-time registrants for this seminar will get priority; however, there will be a limited number of spots for past attendees as well.
Wait lists
If the seminar you wish to sign up for is full, you’ll be able to join a wait list. We will contact you as soon as a space opens up and you can always give us a call to inquire about your spot on the list: (760) 647-6595.
Cancellation policy
If you cancel three weeks prior to the seminar start date, we will refund your payment (less a $15 processing fee per person per seminar). If you cancel within three weeks of the seminar start date, we will refund 50% of your payment. If you cancel within one week of the seminar start date, no refunds will be issued.
If a seminar receives less than six participants it will be canceled two weeks in advance, and full refunds will be issued.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pay for a field seminar?
You need a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express credit card to pay for your seminar, whether you are signing up online or over the phone. We do not accept personal checks.
Can I attend only a portion of a field seminar?
You may, as long as you attend the very first meeting of the seminar. For example, if your seminar begins on Friday evening at 6:00pm, you must attend that portion. There are no discounts for attending only a portion of any field seminar.
Is lodging included?
No, seminar participants must arrange their own lodging. We advise that you make your lodging reservations as soon as you sign up for any seminar(s). The town of Lee Vining has several motels, as does the town of June Lake, approximately 15 miles south of Lee Vining. Campsites may also available in nearby campgrounds or at the Mono Vista RV Park in Lee Vining. Dispersed camping is also an option; please make sure you camp in an area where it is allowed (sleeping in your car is not allowed in Lee Vining or at Mono Lake recreation sites).
Can I bring my children?
Children ages 12 and older are welcome to participate in field seminars, as long as a parent or guardian is also registered in the same seminar. Children under the age of 12 are not allowed in Mono Lake field seminars.
Can I bring my pet?
No pets are allowed on any Field Seminars. Please consider this in advance and find boarding accommodations for your pets or leave them at home; do not leave pets in your car during seminars. Service animals assisting people with disabilities are allowed on seminars and must be leashed.
Do I need four-wheel drive for my field seminar?
No, generally not.
Does weather affect the seminars? What about wildfire smoke?
Weather: The Mono Basin’s dramatic weather is part of what you come here to experience. There are no refunds for weather-related reasons, so please check road conditions before you leave home, and bring plenty of layers, rain gear, and warm clothes for your seminar.
Wildfire smoke: We will make every effort to avoid wildfire smoke, which may include relocating portions of seminars to less-smoky areas (be prepared for seminar itineraries to change at the last minute). If the Air Quality Index (AQI) for Lee Vining according to Purple Air is lower than 100 for PM-2.5, the seminar will proceed. If the AQI is 100 or higher, the seminar instructor may decide to cancel the day’s activities if they cannot be relocated. If the AQI is 150 or higher, the day’s activities, and possibly the entire seminar, will be canceled. Anyone may leave a seminar at any time due to smoke sensitivity, regardless of the AQI. Refunds will be issued on a case-by-case basis; please contact the seminar team to discuss refunds.
All Field Seminars operate under permits from the Inyo National Forest and California State Park system.
Related Posts
2025 Field Seminar registration opens February 7
2024 Field Seminar registration opens February 1