We’ve all heard of the supply-chain delays, but gosh… is it spring or is it winter?!
Right now, the wind is howling, the temperatures are plummeting, and snow is falling at higher elevations. The last few weeks have brought several storms to the region, adding more than three feet of snow in some locations.
After a very promising start to the water year, precipitation essentially flatlined in January and February, during what should have been the wettest two months of the year. And even though we are currently under a Winter Storm Warning, it’s probably too little, too late, to truly help with our drought conditions.
Yet these storms bring us hope, just in time to celebrate the 52nd Earth Day.
Earth Day was founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson as a day of education about environmental issues, and as a way to force these issues onto the national agenda. At that time, there were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment - no EPA, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act.
The holiday is now a global celebration, and it is estimated that 1 billion individuals mobilize for action every Earth Day in over 190 countries.
How are you going to be celebrating Earth Day this year? I’ll be joining Claire, our AmeriCorps Member and Education Coordinator, at the Earth Day event in Bishop, where I’ll be sharing my experiences as a new 100% electric vehicle owner.
If you will be with littles, I found a few tips that may be helpful:
- Celebrating Earth Day is always better when you get your squad in on the action. Motivating the family to do their part in helping Mother Earth isn’t just a chance to make a difference and have fun doing so: it’s also a great learning opportunity for the kids. That said, Earth Day might feel confusing for littles who don’t understand what the fuss is all about. Considering how to explain Earth Day to littles is the first step in raising the next generation of environmentally conscientious citizens, and a task that may be easier than you think.
- Showing kids how to be environmentally conscious instead of just talking about it is really important. Start some sustainable practices in your own home and get them involved. It can be as simple as teaching them how and what to recycle, replacing plastic bags with reusable tote bags, or only using reusable water bottles. Every time you do something that helps the Earth, involve them and explain exactly what you’re doing.
No matter how you celebrate, I hope that we can all be reminded of the peace and solace that nature can bring into our hectic lives.
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All my best,

Kay Ogden
Executive Director/CEO, ESLT
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Owens River Cleanup
Saturday, April 23rd
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The eighth consecutive Owens River Annual Clean Up is tomorrow! Meet time is 8 am at the Pleasant Valley Campground by the foot bridge. For more information, check out our event page. No RSVP necessary.
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GardenFest
Saturday, May 7th
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This family friendly community event will feature a plant sale, wood-fired pizza, and games for kids – all in our backyard and demonstration Pollinator Garden at 250 N. Fowler Street. Contact claire@eslt.org with any questions.
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Earth Day Youth Art Contest
Saturday, May 14th
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Calling all student artists! Are you inspired by nature and the Eastern Sierra? If so, ESLT's Earth Day Youth Art Contest was created just for you. The contest is open to youth in Inyo and Mono Counties, grades 1-12.
Submissions are due May 14th. Visit our website for more information on how to participate. |
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Black Lake Preserve, © ESLT Staff |
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World Migratory Bird Day
May 14-15
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Come bird with us at ESLT’s Black Lake Preserve in celebration of World Migratory Bird Day.

On May 14th and 15th, we will head to Black Lake Preserve to spot visiting birds and get some fresh air. There will also be options to bird on your own at Black Lake Preserve or at the Bishop COSA.
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© Dwayne Leonard, Ranch Memories Photography |
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We are hiring! Do you want to work to protect the land, water, and wildlife that make the Eastern Sierra so special? Apply to join our team as Land Conservation Program Director. Please share with someone who might be interested!
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Connecting Eastern Sierra Watersheds and Land for Fish and Wildlife. |
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© Rick Kattelmann, ESLT Board Member |
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With the fish opener right around the corner, cast an eye to what is happening on the land and water affecting your favorite world-class Eastern Sierra fisheries.
Our most recent blogpost covers challenges to land and aquatic habitat connectivity in the Eastern Sierra, and the work being done to reconnect and repair habitat for local wildlife. The post was originally published by Western Outdoor News in their 2022 Eastern Sierra Spring Preview.
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Birds Abound: From the Field |
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Benton Hot Springs Ranch, © ESLT Staff |
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Monitoring protected lands is core to ensuring conservation values are upheld, and it is also quite enjoyable. Our stewardship team recently had an excellent monitoring trip to the historic Benton Hot Springs Ranch Conservation Easement.
While monitoring, they were delighted to see an abundance of birdlife including the Northern shoveler, ring-necked duck, cinnamon teal, American coot, ruddy duck, great blue heron, and western meadowlark.
If you are interested in birding on ESLT lands, consider a visit to Black Lake Preserve which is open to the public.
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Happy Earth Day, everyone! The Owens River Cleanup and other upcoming community events can be found on our website.
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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, Byron, Carissa, Claire, Heather, Kelly, 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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