Friends of the Inyo’s Summer Stewardship Program is Off to a “HOT” Start! By Alex Ertaud, Stewardship Director (Middle-Right in photo) As the days grow longer and the last remaining bits of snow melt away, it can only mean one thing: Friends of the Inyo’s Summer Stewardship Season is upon us! Our Stewardship Team spent the month of May getting ready for the exciting summer season we have ahead of us. We’re thrilled to announce that we are able to staff each Ranger District of the National Forests of the Eastern Sierra with a dedicated Trail Ambassador (TA) this year….
Exploration
In a recent conversation with “The Oxygen Starved Podcast” hosts Mono County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stacey Adler and Mono County Free Library Director Christopher Platt, Friends of the Inyo’s Executive Director Wendy Schneider talks about public land stewardship and protection, leadership, family and more. Take a listen. Begin at min. 32 of the podcast. Happy listening…And if you like what you hear, happy sharing!
We are excited to share the full slate of our weekly Interpretive Hikes led by our great group of Trail Ambassadors this summer. Check out the offerings below: Mammals of the Eastern Sierra at North Lake (Bishop) with Lindsay Butcher – 7/16, 8/14, 9/11 Beavers and Meadows in the Eastern Sierra in Bridgeport with Lily Emerson – 7/22, 8/21, 9/17 Jeffrey Pine Trees Interpretive Hike in Lone Pine with Kayla Browne – 7/31, 8/28, 9/24 Geology and Volcanology Interpretive Hike in Mammoth with Tess Irving-Ruffing – 8/7, 9/3
Doris the Water Molecule, a free coloring book! In partnership between Friends of the Inyo, Mono County Libraries Makerspace, and the River Network, 2020 Trail Ambassador Julia Tawney created a “do-it-yourself” coloring storybook exploring the Owens River Headwaters. In response to the pandemic, Mono County Libraries Makerspace is offering free maker kits “to-go” at its 6 branches, with take-home art activities for all ages to learn new skills and engage with the natural world. Download the free coloring book by clicking this link.
The ease of simply wandering–walk this way, that way, over here, maybe over there–is one of the main things I love about the Great Basin desert. Largely lacking inpesky thickets of trees or impenetrable swamps, the low sagebrush steppe, clear-edged aspen groves, and open pinyon-juniper woodlands invite you to just wander. You can see where you’re going, you can see where you’ve been, and you can see for hundreds of miles to millions of other places you’ve loved and would love to visit.
Get to Know Local Author Kendra Atleework . Supporter of Friends of the Inyo and talented writer Kendra Atleework recently recently published her book, “Miracle Country.” We’ve partnered with her to give away copies of her book in our #DontTrashTheTrails giveaway. But we wanted to get to know Kendra even better, so we connected (virtually) and she answered some burning questions that we tossed her way: What inspired you to write this book? Miracle Country is about our relationship to home. I was born and raised in the Eastern Sierra. My dad was a hot air balloon pilot and a…
In collaboration with the Mono Lake Committee, Friends of the Inyo created a video to highlight the plants and wildlife in the Bodie Hills. Although we can’t plan an in-person outing like we usually would, this video highlights some of the wonderful values we are seeking to protect in the Bodie Hills. This video features Friends of the Inyo’s Jora Fogg and Mono Lake Committee’s Nora Livingston.
Eastern Sierra Webcams Bring the Views to You! In this time of sheltering in place and social distancing, you may be pining for the stunning views the Eastern Sierra known for. But wait, you also want to be a good citizen, and observe those governmental directives for the sake of your fellow citizens and the world at large and not spread this virus. What a conundrum you find yourself in. How to balance your desire for stunning vistas and a moral obligation to stay home? Luckily for you, there is a deep collection of webcams from around the Eastern…
Our Trail Ambassadors have been hard at work putting the finishing touches on their interpretive hikes for the season, and they’re ready for the world to see! We’re starting things out with a bang, with Robin leading not one, but TWO Botany Hikes in Rock Creek on the same day. He’ll be leading hikes at 9 AM & 1 PM, out of Rock Creek Lakes Resort (across the street from the Rock Creek Lake). The rest of the hike schedule will be as follows: Botany in Rock Creek with Robin – Saturdays 7/6 (9 AM & 1 PM), 7/20 (1…
Spring has officially sprung in the Owens Valley The Tungsten Hills have blooming wildflowers, the daytime temperature high in Bishop reached the upper-eighties last week, and the snow line is creeping up the mountains. All of these factors may conspire to create a false sense that snow-free high alpine days are right around the corner. But the fact of the matter is quite a bit different. As of May 1, there is still over 10-20 feet along the Sierra Crest, meaning that there is still a good deal of thawing that needs to be done before the high country is…