Despite the world seeming to spinning faster and faster, I am feeling optimistic.

In part, that feeling is due to the once-in-a-lifetime conservation opportunity: California’s 30x30 Initiative. In October 2020, Governor Newsom signed his Nature Based Solutions Executive Order N-82-20, elevating the role of natural and working lands in the fight against climate change and advancing biodiversity conservation as an administration priority.

Part of this Executive Order committed California to the goal of conserving 30 percent of our lands and coastal waters by 2030. California is blessed with a wider array of animal and plant species than any state in the country. Protecting, managing, and restoring our natural and working lands and waters is one of the most critical things we can do to address the climate crisis.

These spaces--the past and present homelands of California’s Tribes and Native peoples--are home to countless species of plants and wildlife, and generations have enjoyed them not only for their beauty but as places for recreation and inspiration. As Californians who treasure these special places, it is up to all of us to ensure everyone–including low-income families and communities of color, who have been historically left out of environmental decision-making and face inequitable access to nature and its benefits–is able to experience the joy of being around green spaces and thriving biodiversity close to home.

Here in the Eastern Sierra, we have the opportunity to permanently protect additional lands for recreational, economic, and scenic values. We’re working hard to help form priorities to shape the future of the Sierra Nevada region, and to bring the grants, funds, and efforts to implement them.

And while we are doing that, we’re spending time with school-aged kids from our region, hoping to share some of the wonderful secrets that spending time in nature can bring to our souls. Claire, our Education Coordinator, has shared one of her recent stories on our blog.

We all hope that you are finding time to soak in the beauty and secret sauce of nature!

Our 2022 Lands & Legacy Celebration is right around the corner, and we would like to invite you to join us in celebrating our 21st anniversary! This year, ESLT is hosting several events in late August, culminating with our energizing Paddle Raise on August 25th.

We are kicking off our 21st Anniversary Paddle Raise with some extra fun. To start the evening, ESLT is co-hosting a virtual wine tasting, sponsored by Purple Brands and Raeburn Winery. Space is limited for the event, register by August 12th to reserve your spot! Three bottles of Raeburn wine (Chardonnay, Rosé, Pinot Noir) will be shipped to your California address as well as a set of four custom ESLT wine glasses prior to the event.

Our 21st year of conservation has been an exciting one, marked by the permanent protection of Centennial Point Ranch, our involvement with California’s 30×30 Initiative, ongoing efforts to advance the Mammoth Lakes 395 Wildlife Crossing, and so much more. Your support ensures these innovative conservation projects will continue to benefit the land, wildlife, and people of the Eastern Sierra for generations to come.

We hope you can enjoy some or all of the upcoming anniversary events and opportunities to gather with our community!

As part of our 21st Anniversary Lands and Legacy Celebration, ESLT is hosting an evening Zoom chat with conservationist, author, ranger, educator, and Eastern Sierra lover, David Carle. At 6 pm on the 23rd, David will discuss fire in Eastern California while presenting from his recently published 2nd edition of Fire in California. 

Click here to read more about the event and to RSVP.

To start the evening of our Paddle Raise, ESLT is co-hosting a virtual wine tasting, sponsored by Purple Brands and Raeburn Winery.

Register and receive three bottles of Raeburn wine and a set of four custom ESLT wine glasses before the event.

The tasting will start at 5 pm. We will sample three wines and enjoy a chat with Derek Benham, Raeburn Winery founder, and ESLT supporter. Space is limited for the tasting so make sure to register today!

Please join us online with Auctioneer Jeremy Goico at our energizing Paddle Raise at 6 pm on August 25th. Pour your favorite celebratory beverage and join us for the best Zoom meeting of the year!

Click here to register directly, or read more about this year's Paddle Raise.

Bi-State sage-grouse on the border of California and Nevada are a genetically distinct population of sage-grouse, and are a beloved species here in the Eastern Sierra.

Sage-grouse live on many of our conservation easements and over the years, our team here at Eastern Sierra Land Trust has taken part in different conservation projects to improve their habitat on the Eastside, working closely with volunteers, landowners, and conservation partners such as Sage Grouse Initiative, Audubon Society, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

In the past eight years, ESLT has utilized federal and state funding to complete six permanent conservation easements totaling 10,725 acres, protecting enormous amounts of sage-grouse habitat from ever being subdivided or developed. 

Recently, the Northern California District Court ruled to overturn the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's decision to withdraw the Bi-State sage-grouse from its threatened species listings. Amy Sturgill, the Bi-State Sage-Grouse Data and Communications Coordinator, has provided an update on the decision that can be read on our blog.

ESLT is welcoming Amanda as our new Membership Coordinator!

Amanda grew up in Northern California and graduated from UC Berkeley. After working with The Nature Conservancy in their Mesoamerican and Caribbean Region's philanthropy team, Amanda discovered a career as a CPA specializing in nonprofits. Recently, she worked as the Controller of Peninsula Open Space Trust.

A lover of wilderness, Amanda spends much of her free time exploring the beauty of the Eastern Sierra. She is excited to join Eastern Sierra Land Trust and connect with our community through her work!

Read more about Amanda on our blog.

Do you want to work to protect the magic of the Eastern Sierra and advance California's conservation initiatives? We are hiring for two positions, based out of Bishop CA, with hybrid (in-office and remote) work options.

Joining our Land and Stewardship Team means working to protect one of the most magnificent landscapes in the world. ESLT is at the forefront of Eastern Sierra conservation, with over 21,000 acres of land permanently protected, and more in the pipeline.

Visit our Employment Page for more information.

Our friends at the Native American Land Conservancy (NALC) are now hiring for three important positions: Director of Development, Education and Stewardship Programs Manager, and Policy Manager.

The California-based Native American Land Conservancy is dedicated to acquiring, preserving, and protecting Native American sacred lands.

For more information regarding these opportunities, please visit NALC's employment page.