Eastern Sierra Land Trust   ◊   Monthly E-Newsletter

Eastern Sierra Land Trust
Bird-watchers cross an icy June stream.

I waded into the icy cold creek to help guide a few folks across to the other side, and it occurred to me that only a short while ago, the water that we were wading through had been snow. We were venturing onto one of our recently-protected ranches with special permission from the landowner, and it was magic.

Our Stewardship Manager Sara and I were leading a group of bird watchers, and we were surrounded by stunning natural beauty. This ranch has been in the same family for over 90 years, and the section we were visiting had only a small foot path that we walked along. We saw birds - lots. We think we heard a bear - but we're not 100% sure. We crossed several creeks and saw nature doing her job by flooding over the banks and spreading seeds.

No one wanted to leave - we all knew how special it was to visit a place where true natural order is preserved, beyond the bounds of present-day human use. It will always be as beautiful as it was on that day.

Why? Because of you. Because you helped protect this special place. Forever.

As our nation experiences intense dialogue about our future and the future of conservation, I hope that we can remember all of the vast and awe-inspiring special places that bring us together - our public lands, our private preserves, and our own backyards and neighborhood green spaces. This Independence Day, let's remember that we are aligned with each other and our collective goal: preserving more open land for wildlife and for future generations here in the Eastern Sierra. There are still a lot of special places here that need protecting - and with you on our side, I know we can do it.

Here's to a wonderful summer of adventures and good times in nature! Happy Independence Day!

Gratefully,
Kay Ogden,  Executive Director
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
 
Thursday,  July 18, 8 - 10 a.m.
Highway 395 . Meet at ESLT's office in Bishop (map)
Come join us in keeping Highway 395 beautiful and trash free! 
We'll need your help cleaning ESLT's adopted stretch of highway.
Please contact  marie@eslt.org or (760) 873-4554 to volunteer.
Wednesday, July 24, 5 - 6:30 a.m.
Eastern Sierra Land Trust, Bishop, CA (map)
Come mingle at our WILD summer wildlife-themed mixer! We'll snack and enjoy drinks while learning and chatting about animals. RSVP by contacting Marie at marie@eslt.org or (760) 873-4554.
Thursday, July 25, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
Conway and Mattley Ranches
Calling all volunteers! If you're ready for a day spent caring for the land, come join this July 25th stewardship day hosted by ESLT and Mono County at Conway and Mattley Ranches. Please contact  marie@eslt.org or (760) 873-4554 for details and to join .
Friday, August 30 through Sunday, September 1  
Join us on Friday of Labor Day weekend for dinner hosted by Mammoth Mountain at their spectacular Parallax Restaurant.  Then stay for an inspiring weekend of field trips on land you've saved. 
Follow our Facebook event and visit our website for updates! 
Come Explore our Oasis in the Desert
Thanks to our supporters and volunteers,  Black 
Lake Preserve now has a helpful interpretive sign.
It's summer, and you're getting outside to play! Black Lake Preserve is a beautiful ESLT summer destination for your whole family.
 
Our stewardship team and our remarkable volunteers have improved habitat conditions at Black Lake Preserve this year, and have even installed a new interpretive sign.  The preserve is open for day use, and has spectacular views for explorers of all abilities and wide spaces where children can roam. 

Before you visit Black Lake Preserve, you'll want to read the beautiful story of how it came to be.
 
Action Alert!                          
One of our most important land protection tools - the conservation easement - is being abused. Help us support legislation that would stop that abuse.
 
ESLT supports the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act, also known as S. 170/ H.R. 1992. This important legislation fixes urgent problems, and we've made it easy for you to take action to make sure it passes.
  
READ MORE  >> 
Become our next AmeriCorps Member                             
ESLT has a great opportunity for an enthusiastic, conservation-minded young leader . Is that you?
 
Applications opened yesterday to become a Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP) AmeriCorps Member with us. This full-time team member will lead and collaborate on education, outreach, and restoration projects across the Eastern Sierra.
 
  
READ MORE  >> 
Welcome to Two New ESLT Team Members...
Carissa Gospodinoff, our new Administrative Manager
 
Carissa grew up on the East Coast on her family's tree nursery. The only rule on that natural 10-acre property was to come for dinner when the bell rang. After spending time in the U.S. Virgin Islands and then in South Lake Tahoe as Operations Manager with Sierra Nevada Alliance, Carissa is excited to now be serving the spectacular Eastern Sierra.
Kristen Pfeiler, our new Membership Coordinator

Kristen grew up hunting and recreating in northeastern Nevada and Idaho with friends, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Kristen always knew she would work in conservation and fell in love with California as an adult. She believes that people encounter their best selves when they are connected to the natural world. She says, "the outdoors teaches us the true art of life: to experience life's opposing emotions at the same time with grace. I work to connect these essential gifts from nature with others." 
 
We also say goodbye to Amanda Jaramillo, who served as our previous Membership Coordinator, and Jane Gabriel, who served as our past Operations Director. Thank you both for everything, and we look forward to keeping in touch!

EASTERN SIERRA LAND TRUST

Eastern Sierra Land Trust works with willing landowners to protect vital lands in the Eastern Sierra region for their scenic, agricultural, natural, recreational, historic, and watershed values.

250 N. Fowler Street, Bishop CA 93514

www.eslt.org   |  (760) 873-4554  |  info@eslt.org