Dear Conservation Hero,
Everywhere I look there’s a sea of yellow, burgundy, and orange, and I can even see snow-topped mountains for the first time in what seems like eons. It’s simply gorgeous. I went for a short walk this morning, and with each breath I felt calmer, more peaceful, and more connected to nature.
Studies continue to show how important it is for everyone to spend time outside and in nature. That’s why it’s so important for us to continue our work making sure there are places we can go to see wide-open vistas, and know that wildlife can roam freely, and where we can still find quiet.
Have you seen the “word cloud” that folks created at our recent 20th Anniversary Lands & Legacy Celebration? Attendees were asked to answer the question: What are the best things about saving Eastern Sierra land? “Caring for the wildlife”, “the healing power and peace” and “the legacy and hope for the future” – were the highlights of why our work together in this special region is so important.
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It’s also a road map for ESLT’s work as we move into the next 20 years. With your support, we can continue to build on the incredible foundation of 20,000 acres protected in 20 years! We have projects in our queue that will continue to protect one of the most special places on earth: Your Eastern Sierra.
I hope you can find time and bandwidth to get outside and soak in the beauty of wherever you are.
Happy Halloween!
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All our best,
Kay Ogden
Executive Director/CEO, ESLT
P.S. Please read on for lots of ESLT and conservation news!
- If you’re driving along Highway 395, please drive carefully - the Round Valley Mule deer herd are migrating. More below.
- Know anyone who would like to join the ESLT team? Please forward the news about the TWO positions we are hiring.
- Are you interested in supporting land conservation as a strategy for reaching 30x30 state-wide goals? Please send in your comments via the ink below no later than November 9.
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Saved by a Bucket: USFW Biologists Recognized for Saving a Species |
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(L) Phil Pister at Fish Slough in August 2021. In 1969 his quick actions saved the last remaining population of Owens pupfish. Photo by Martha Voght.
(R) A male Owens pupfish. In the summer, the species can swim in waters warmer than 90 degrees Fahrenheit; in winter, it swims under ice. Photo by John Brill.
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Longtime ESLT member, Phil Pister, is featured in a New York Times article on how he saved the Owens pupfish in Fish Slough with only a couple of buckets. The article highlights how the population is doing since, and the impacts climate change may have on their habitats and survival. The pupfish protection torch was passed to another ESLT member, Steve Parmenter.
Thank you, Phil and Steve and all of the team saving species like the pupfish!
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We're Hiring for Two Positions! |
Join Eastern Sierra Land Trust’s team in beautiful Bishop, CA, and you’ll be working each day to protect the land, water, and wildlife that make this region so special! Do you know someone who'd like to be part of our team? Please share these opportunities.
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Commemorate 20,000 acres protected in 20 years with a new ESLT baseball hat! We can ship them or coordinate a time to safely pick them up at the Bishop office. Thanks to our hat models, ESLT Operations Director Carissa Gospodinoff, Bridgeport Barns & Terraces Benny Romero, and ESLT Executive Director/CEO Kay Ogden.
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ESLT Certified Pollinator Gardener Stories |
Hear from our pollinator gardeners from Coleville to Lone Pine, and what they've learned from their gardens to what inspires them to attract pollinators to their yards.
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It's that time of year when mule deer migrate from their summer ranges up in the High Sierra down to the valley floor. Please keep an extra eye out as you travel on the roads and highways especially at dawn and dusk.
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Thanks to over 20 volunteers who came out to help clean up the Owens River last month with outgoing ESLT Education Coordinator and AmeriCorps Member, Gabrielle Tribelli. They hauled off a truck load of trash, keeping the popular stretch of river clean for people and wildlife. |
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Action Alert: Your Voice Matters for Conservation in the Eastern Sierra |
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California Releases Draft Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy - Your Input Requested |
The draft Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy responds directly to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-82-20 on nature-based solutions, which identified our natural and working lands as a critical yet currently underutilized sector in the fight against climate change.
CNRA and partners are soliciting public comment and feedback to inform the final Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy. The document is available for public review and comment from through November 9, 2021.
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It's Time to Pass the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act |
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The federal conservation easement tax incentive is a crucial land conservation tool. Unfortunately, a few bad actors are putting it at risk by making large profits at the expense of American taxpayers. Fortunately, Congress has introduced simple, smart and effective legislation to halt the abuse — the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Ac (S. 2256 / H.R. 4164).
With your help we can end the abuse once and for all. Let's get this done!
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Email Sens. Feinstein and Padilla’s offices and let them know:
- You are a resident of California;
- You believe strongly in the benefits of private land conservation; and
- You strongly support the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act (S. 2256) being kept in the reconciliation package because it will put an end to this egregious abuse and recoup the billions of dollars in revenue lost to these bad actors.
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Thank you for being a part of the ESLT family. With our caring landowners, volunteers, members, and supporters, we're protecting a bright future for the Eastern Sierra.
Sincerely,
Kay, Amanda, Carissa, Heather, Sara, Sus, Tina, and our Board of Directors
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Together, Protecting our Wild and Working Lands
Eastern Sierra Land Trust is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, to which contributions may qualify as a charitable deduction for tax purposes.
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