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.

Mono Lake Volunteer spotlight: Jo Bacon

This post was written by Aviva North, 2017 Mono Lake Intern.

“Volunteering has always been a part of my life, ever since I joined Girl Scouts,” says Mono Lake Volunteer Jo Bacon. Part of the original class of volunteers in 2004 and named Volunteer of the Year in 2011, Jo is a stalwart volunteer with a passion for engaging the public and protecting the Mono Basin.

Mono Lake Volunteer Jo Bacon, left, with Volunteer Coordinator Janet Carle. Photo by Rose Catron.

She originally discovered the wonders of the Eastern Sierra in the 1970s on a trip to cross country ski and eventually moved to Mammoth Lakes full-time in 2002 after more than 25 years in Riverside, California. Since her move, Jo has certainly made her mark on the Eastern Sierra community. She served on the Mammoth Lakes Town Council for eight years, including two as mayor, then another two on the planning commission, along with doing interpretive work for the Mammoth Ranger District and some naturalist work in the area.

She was drawn to the Mono Basin originally by the star talks, where she was convinced to become a Mono Lake Volunteer. Now she primarily leads tours of South Tufa and helps out at the Forest Service Mono Basin Visitor Center. Jo also often helps out with giving tours to school groups that visit the area. One of her fondest memories is leading a tour for Mammoth Middle School students in the winter and, “even though everyone needed their parkas and the wind and foam off the lake were blowing everywhere, they loved it!” Jo loves interpretive tours because “language is no barrier, you don’t need English to touch, feel, and understand nature.”

In her free time, Jo volunteers at the Mono County Library, and loves to read, travel, hike, and enjoy the many cultural events in the area. When asked why she joined the Mono Lake Committee she replied, “it’s simply an amazing story—public rights won! The Committee is a place that’s really doing the right thing and I really believe in the mission.” Believe in our mission too and want to get involved? Be sure to check out the rest of our website and consider joining the Mono Lake Committee via volunteering or membership!

Find more Mono Lake Volunteer spotlights here and here.