Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Love Mono Lake? Volunteer this summer!

This post was written by Jessica Schneider, 2015-2020 Office Director, 2011-2013 Information Center & Bookstore Manager, and 2010 Information Center & Bookstore Assistant.

The Mono Lake Committee, US Forest Service, Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association, California State Parks, and the Bodie Foundation are teaming up to sponsor the twelfth season of our Mono Lake Volunteer Program this summer. Volunteers will have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and share their knowledge of the Eastern Sierra. It’s a great way to learn about Mono Lake while getting to know fellow volunteers and giving back to the area.

The Mono Lake Volunteer program partners celebrate last year's new volunteer graduates. Photo by Rose Catron.
The Mono Lake Volunteer program partners celebrate last year’s new volunteer graduates. Photo by Rose Catron.

Mono Lake volunteers are an essential part of the interpretation and overall guest experience at Mono Lake. Every year, volunteers connect with visitors at South Tufa and the State Reserve boardwalk, pull invasive plants, and help staff the information desk at the Scenic Area Visitor Center.

Volunteers pull invasive white sweet clover from the banks of Mill Creek. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.
Volunteers pull invasive white sweet clover from the banks of Mill Creek. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.

Free training will be on the following Wednesday and Thursday afternoons: May 27 and 28, June 3, 4, 10, and 11 in the Mono Basin. Volunteers are required to attend these six half-day sessions and are asked to donate roughly eight hours per month on a flexible schedule June through August. Participants must be at least 18 years old, be able to walk short distances, and stand for two hours.

Mono Lake Volunteers (right) tell visitors about Mono Lake at South Tufa. Photo courtesy of Janet Carle.
Mono Lake Volunteers (right) tell visitors about Mono Lake at South Tufa. Photo courtesy of Janet Carle.

Please contact me by email or at (760) 647-6595 or Janet Carle at (760) 647-6431 for more information or to sign up. You will be sent details and a training schedule.

Special thanks to the California State Parks Foundation for their support of the Mono Lake Volunteer program this year.

2 Comments

  1. I do plan to volunteer again this summer at South Tufa on Friday mornings. Last year, we had to be out of the area during summer. Hopefully, I can keep my husband healthy this spring and summer.

    Edyth Irvine

  2. 2 years ago I helped clean weeds etc from inlets to mono.

    I brought an 8 year old friend’s grandson.
    he loves mono now.

    do you have another such opportunity for such one time helpers

    thank you