ESLT Turns Nine

In February, 2001, ESLT gained 501(c)3 nonprofit status as the first and only local land trust in the Eastern Sierra. But how does a land trust begin? According to Rick Kattelmann, one of the founding members and a former Mono County Planning Commission member, “I remember ten years of assorted conversations, casual talk about how the Eastern Sierra could use a land trust.” And then in 2000, seven Mono County citizens, including Rick, decided the time was right.  The group expressed their interest in the viable development alternatives, mitigations, and critical rangeland and habitat protections that land trusts can provide. Their assorted skills, including a retired attorney, professional botanist, and hydrologist, helped them form by-laws and articles of incorporation.

Stephen Ingram, another founding member, became involved in the process when he wanted to preserve his land, but couldn’t find an organization to help him do so. His property was considered too small to preserve by The Nature Conservancy. Stephen didn’t agree. His twenty acres sat in the important wildlife migration corridor for the Round Valley mule deer herd. Taking matters into their own hands, Stephen, and his wife Karen (current ESLT Executive Director), were part of the founding board of directors and donated the organization’s first conservation easement.

In 2010, ESLT has nearly completed its first decade of work, supported by an amazing grassroots outpouring. Our local land trust has gone from a group of neighbors talking about preservation to a nonprofit organization with more than 600 members helping preserve more than 6000 acres. When asked what was the most exciting development since its inception, Tony Taylor, ESLT’s board president replied, “When the Resources Law Group contacted ESLT. They asked me to write up a letter describing our organization. Through that grant, we were able to hire our first Executive Director, Julie Bear. The rest is history.” Today, ESLT has five staff members and an active board with nine members, and is engaged in preserving thousands of acres of treasured lands for future generations.

Look for a big 10 year anniversary party next year at this time and thank you for making it happen!

~Serena

Two Round Valley mule deer on the Ingram Conservation Easement. Photo by Stephen Ingram

New AmeriCorps Member Comes to Town

Hello everyone, my name is Sarah and I am the new AmeriCorps member serving at ESLT for the year! I am extremely excited to be in such a remarkable location, working with a tremendous group of people who share a common mission: to assist private landowners in preserving our rural lands in the Eastern Sierra.

I am originally from Los Angeles but have hailed most recently from New York City, where I received my bachelor’s degree in anthropology and archaeology. During my undergraduate experience I lived in Italy on several occasions, where I both studied and participated in archaeological excavations.  My time abroad allowed me to explore scientific field work, which is one component of my new job at ESLT.

I became involved in the land conservation movement after graduation when I worked for a large public lands firm in Washington, DC. I spent time on Capitol Hill and worked on legislation for various campaigns across America. During my time in DC I realized that I wanted to work with people rather than policy, helping communities take a greater stake in managing and preserving their own lands. And now, after a stint volunteering on organic olive farms in Italy, I find myself in the beautiful Eastern Sierra, serving in a position that couldn’t better match my aspirations.

My time at ESLT will be spent with our community, exploring various issues in which ESLT is involved. I’ll be working with kids in local schools, organizing field trips on conservation easements, and increasing community involvement in ESLT overall. Serena, last year’s AmeriCorps volunteer, has created big shoes for me to fill, and I am looking forward to that challenge. I am thrilled to be living in Bishop which provides extremely different recreational activities than other cities I’ve called home. This is an exciting change for me and I cannot wait to get out on the ground, sharing the incredible beauty of the rural lands of the Eastern Sierra!

ESLT and AmeriCorps in 2010

Recently I spent two days at the Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Program training as we collectively ushered in another 27 young, bright, and enthusiastic AmeriCorps members for a year of service. It is truly inspiring to be involved with a group of young adults that have chosen to give a year of service working in a local community, making a difference for their own generation and for future generations. In addition to reviewing policies and paperwork required to run the AmeriCorps program, we spent time discussing and planning for the important work these 27 volunteers will facilitate in communities across the Sierra Nevada.

ESLT and the Eastern Sierra region have benefited from the work of AmeriCorps members for the past 3 years. Whether it is educating local youth,  hosting community festivals, or leading restoration work days, ESLT & AmeriCorps are getting things done in our communities. ESLT is pleased to introduce its newest AmeriCorps member, Sarah Spano. Sarah will spend the next year working with the community to provide education programs on the value of preserving our rural lands. Please join me in welcoming Sarah to ESLT’s family and our community. Welcome Sarah!

~Mary

2009 AmeriCorps member working with Bishop 3rd grade class

Winter in full swing in the Eastern Sierra

Winter has blown in full force, dumping 24 inches in the last 24 hours at Mammoth Mountain. Cozy inside next to our pellet stove, staff at ESLT have been busy brainstorming ways to get outside in 2010 – just not today. Coming up soon, in February, is our first ever Winter Full Moon Ski Tour! Check out our Events Page for more information, and visit Big Hot Springs Ranch on the web to get a taste of where we’ll be headed. With all this snow -  it should be good.

Then, in March, join us as we explore a local wildlife migration corridor, where ESLT has worked hard to provide safe passage and critical habitat for Sierra wildlife. One of our important partners, California Department of Fish and Game Mono County Wildlife Biologist, Tim Taylor, will share his knowledge and research. Want to know more, visit our Events Page! Meanwhile, enjoy the weather, stay safe and dry, and dream of blue bird days.

~Serena

Big Hot Springs Ranch conservation easement in December with a light dusting of snow.

DWP’s Solar Plans For Owens Valley

Thank you everyone who stopped by to our Open House, last Thursday evening. Monday night’s Public Meeting was also well attended, with over 200 people gathering in the Methodist Church in Bishop to hear what David Freeman had to say. If you weren’t able to make it, read a little bit about what happened here:

LA Times: DWP Chief pitches solar for plans to Owens Valley Residents, by Phil Willon. The head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power tonight told Owens Valley residents that . . .

Read More >>

Mammoth Times: Owens Lake solar project could fuel 10 percent of state’s power needs, by Wendilyn Grasseschi. It was only a few years ago that David Freeman, then general manager for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, came to the Eastern Sierra with a bold proposal . . .

Read More >>

~Serena

LADWP to hold Owens Valley Solar Power Public Meeting in Bishop, January 11, 2010

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) will hold a public meeting to discuss concepts for building solar power generation facilities in the Owens Valley. David Freeman, LADWP Interim General Manager, will be at the First United Methodist Church on 205 N. Fowler St. in Bishop on Monday, January 11, at 7 pm. Owens Valley stakeholders will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about LADWP’s concepts for developing solar power generation in the Owens Valley, including portions of the Owens Lake bed.

ESLT invites members and interested community members to an Open House to share information and ideas about LADWP’s solar plans at our office on Thursday, January 7, from 4pm to 6pm at 176 Home Street in Bishop. We’ll hope to discuss:

• How LADWP lands are integral to our iconic landscape and our economy
• How LADWP’s solar development plans have much promise but also have the potential to significantly and negatively impact the resources that we value
• Why LA should develop a comprehensive land plan that identifies an appropriate location for solar development and permanently preserves the rest of their lands, including important and beautiful grazing lands, scenic vistas, wildlife habitat, and recreational access.

Join us for an informal, old fashioned style discussion, complete with maps and refreshments.

Lower Owens River at Dawn, by Stephen Ingram

Reflecting On the End of a Year!

Appreciating a job well done for outgoing AmeriCorp member, Serena Dennis, and welcoming her back as Outreach Coordinator in January!

The ESLT board and staff enjoyed a holiday potluck dinner last night, giving us a chance to reflect on this past year and look forward to an event-filled 2010.  While 2009 was a challenging year with grant freezes and budget woes, it really brought to light how many wonderful supporters ESLT has.

This year, we had many events, bringing various groups of people together to enjoy and learn about ESLT’s preserved lands.  There was the celebration of ESLT’s first preserve, Crowley Hilltop Preserve, which brought out many supportive neighbors.  We had a fascinating geology tour blitzing us from Bishop to Mono Lake with participants from Southern California, Washington, and even France!  It was a great joy to see the beautiful Eastern Sierra in a new way with so many interested and passionate people.  Then we had a GPS workshop, mixing technology with exploring the terrain.  These are just a few of the events we recently held with the help of many volunteers and board members.

This time of year brings about reflection and appreciation for those around us, those who support our land conservation work throughout the year.  ESLT is very fortunate to be surrounded by knowledgeable and passionate board and committee members, wonderful volunteers, generous members, and talented and dedicated staff.  Every one of our supporters contributes greatly to the ongoing effort of preserving special places we can enjoy now just as future generations will.

Local foods lunch overlooking Mono Lake concluding the Geology Tour in August 2009

We are especially thankful for our members’ generous year-end giving.  In these uncertain times, knowing our work is important to you keeps us motivated and focused to continue down each avenue we can to preserve more of this special region.  Each of you has a unique and personal reason why you support our work– we’d like to ask you to take a moment to reflect on why you support ESLT and share your story with us.  We would love to hear why this work is special to you. Feel free to send an email, post a comment, or give us a call.

From all the staff at ESLT, we thank you for your continued support and wish you a truly happy holiday season and a prosperous new year.  We look forward to seeing you at events on the land in 2010!

ESLT Garden — Growing Relationships

For the past summer and fall, ESLT has been cultivating our new garden. We harvested a variety of beautiful tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers and other veggies. We saw birds feasting and bees happily buzzing. The garden provided a wonderful space for cultivating delicious fresh foods for us humans and nourishing birds, bees and butterflies.

And now, despite the chill in the air and the arrival of winter, the garden still continues to provide space for growing by cultivating relationships in our community. Recently, on a sunny, fall day ESLT had the opportunity to host a visit with the Mono Lake Committee, in the ESLT garden. This was an opportunity for the two organizations to update each other on their respective work in our region and with our communities. MLC staff and board members spent the morning enjoying the sunshine in ESLT’s garden while learning more about our work preserving vital lands in the region. And the garden continues to cultivate relationships with local community groups. A group of local Audubon birders came for a visit to establish the ESLT garden as a regular spot for birding in the spring. Again, we enjoyed a warm, fall morning discussing ways the garden could attract even more birds, bees and butterflies to enhance our pollinator’s paradise.

So while the garden may be waiting for spring to grow more vegetables, the ESLT garden still continues to provide space for growing relationships in our community. ESLT welcomes the use of the garden for cultivating vegetables and community. Do you know any local community groups that may want to “grow” in our garden?

Mary

Mono Lake Committee visits ESLT

Reflections on a Year of Service

With the beginning of December, and AmeriCorps graduation drawing near, I am starting to realize that my twelve months, 1700 hours of service, are drawing to a close. As I prepare to pass the torch to the next AmeriCorps member coming in January, I look back on all I’ve experienced. What a great year, and I’d like to thank everyone in the community who welcomed me so warmly, and helped make this year the perfect experience that it has been. From growing a sunflower garden, organizing events like the Living with Wildlife Festival, to updating our website and sending out newsletters, it has been a year of outreach, community, education, and fun.

Jungle of Sunflowers in ESLT Garden planted by local elementary students.

I am excited to stay in Bishop, with it’s mountain vistas and wide open skies, I’m not quite ready to leave yet. I have accepted a part time position with ESLT, staying on as Outreach Coordinator, continuing to assist the ESLT team in furthering our mission of helping landowners to preserve the Eastern Sierra’s rural lands.

Serena

GPS workshop a success!

Last Saturday 14 interested folks came out to our Crowley Hilltop Preserve to learn about working with Global Positioning Systems (GPS). This fun group had signed up for the workshop to become more familiar with their own receivers or learn more before getting one of their own. The group included people who had never touched a GPS before to those who use them regularly for work, and even a couple who is using theirs to travel the world, all wanting to learn a little bit more about this technology and have a good day out on the land.

Lets start with the basics...the Earth is round right?

The workshop kicked off with a review of the theory behind the GPS including coordinate systems, satellites, maps and more. The remainder of the program was designed to get people using their units successfully on their own to locate and navigate to locations using maps and coordinates. In the end, the participants managed to navigate through a GPS course in rough terrain ending with a special treat while overlooking views of Crowley Lake and the Benton Range beyond.

Getting to know a Garmin

Based on the great feedback we go from participants, we have been thinking about more workshops in the future, anyone interested? What would you like to learn how to do? Map & Compass? Landscape Photography? Quilting with Natural Dyes?

Aaron