As Friends of the Inyo takes a brief hiatus from its summer stewardship and trails programs, it remains committed to its mission of preservation, exploration, and stewardship in the Eastern Sierra and is hosting a number of programs, planning, and wintertime activities.
In the first two weeks of December, Friends of the Inyo hosted the Wild and Scenic Film Festival in three locations—Mammoth Lakes, Bishop, and Lone Pine CA –to rave reviews and encouraging new-member turnout. Showcasing environmental and adventure films by inspired filmmakers from all over the world—the wild and scenic film festival’s parent group SYRCL (Southern Yuba River Citizens League) was originally founded by a community of concerned citizens opposing the construction of two dams threatening the Yuba River Watershed. In the same spirit of grass-roots conservation, this year’s films demonstrated an overwhelming sense of optimism and inspiration in the face of vast land, climate, and eco-political changes threatening our wild and scenic public lands.
To celebrate those great public lands we call home, Friends of the Inyo willhost a number of Winter and Springtime activities throughout the Eastern Sierra. On January 10th, Friends of the Inyo Preservation Coordinator Jora Fogg led a snowshoe and cross-country ski outing at Deadman’s Dome among the boughs and limbs of pristine Jeffery Pine forest. If you missed this opportunity, please join us January 24th, meeting at the junction of Hwy 395 and 168 at 8:30am for a led group-hike of the Crater Mountain Wilderness Study Area. This winter outing will offer spectacular views of the Sierra and Inyo Mountains and a good chance of viewing Tule Elk and prehistoric cultural sites. On Februrary 21st, join us as we explore the volcanic tablelands outside of Bishop with BLM staff. This hike will offer spectacular 360° views, and cultural and geologic points of interest; please refer to the calendar of events for time and meeting place TBD.
[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_large”,”fid”:”826″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”260″,”style”:”display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;”,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”234″}}]]Join us March 7th as we explore the wildflowers of Short Canyon. This area of critical concern on the edge of the Owens Peak Wilderness is home to some 300 species of flower and plant. We will be meeting at the trail head parking lot at 9am. For questions or to carpool please contact Jora; joraATfriendsoftheinyo.org