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.

Still time to help with restoration at Mono Lake

This post was written by Michael Morris, 2017 Mono Lake Intern.

The Mono Lake Committee’s invasive removal project has been running all summer long, and there is one more opportunity to get involved!

Committee Restoration Field Technician, Robbie, demonstrates how to identify white sweet clover during an invasive plant removal workday near Old Marina. Photo by Michael Morris.

Ava and I have been leading invasive plant removal workdays at Old Marina—focusing on removing invasive white sweet clover. Join us on Wednesday, August 30 from 9:00am to 12:00pm for the last restoration day of the season! We will meet at the Mono Lake Committee, then carpool to the location we’ll be weeding. Please bring close-toed shoes, sun protection, plenty of water, and a snack. And of course, be sure to stick around afterwards for a picnic lunch.

A devastating grasshopper found at Old Marina. Photo by Michael Morris.

It’s always a great time doing restoration work out there, and you never know what you’re going to get to see. This year we’ve noticed a surprising amount of grasshoppers and praying mantises. We were curious about them, so insect enthusiast and Mono Lake Committee Outdoor Education Instructor, Rose, helped identify the grasshoppers as Melanoplus devastator, sometimes known by their somewhat alarming common name, the devastating grasshopper.

Rose netting insects to identify at Old Marina. Photo by Michael Morris.

If you are interested in volunteering at the August 30 invasive removal event, please email Ava.