Red-winged blackbird in Bishop, California | |
|
We officially made it through the first week of spring and -WOW- what a winter its been in the Sierra Nevada. As of right now, the Southern Sierra is at 286%* of "normal". Check out the link below to nerd out on the snowpack and water equivalency data!
*Data from California Dept. of Water Resources
| |
This winter brought many hardships and challenges to our area. From roof collapses, power outages, extensive road damages and closures, to avalanches, rescheduled and canceled events. However, as we move into spring may we find gratitude for water returning BIG to PayahuunadĂĽ, "land of the flowing water." | |
Join Us For an Upcoming Event! | |
|
This Contested Land
An Evening Dedicated to National Monuments
| | |
|
|
Free Event!
Thursday, April 20
6:00-8:00pm at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center.
Join local author, McKenzie Long, to celebrate National Monuments and her new book, “This Contested Land.” She will be joined by Deanna Lynn Wulff from Unite the Parks, where we will learn more about the proposed Range of Light National Monument. Additionally, we will hear from Rebecca Wong from our local National Monument: Devils Postpile.
We will have beverages, local beer and chance to win prizes. Come out to celebrate your public lands!
| |
Upcoming Earth Day Activities | |
|
Earth Day activities are right around the corner. Come out and get to know ESIA staff and other community members at the following Earth Day events.
Bishop Paiute Tribe Earth Day & Spring Market Event
Saturday, April 22 8am- 2pm
The event will be held at the Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center located at 2300 West Line Street, Bishop, CA 9351. It will begin with a community clean-up from 8- 10:30am focusing on beautifying Tribal roadways and common areas with a free, first come first serve breakfast. The Spring Market and Event will be from 10:30am-2pm and will include vendors, informational booths, food and activities in front of the Cultural Center. Vendors will sell until 2:30pm.
| | |
|
|
Earth Day Sierra and Community Art Day
Saturday, April 22 10am-5pm
Hosted by Bishop Sunrise Rotary and Inyo Council for the Arts. Located at Bishop City Park.
Annual Lone Pine Tribal Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 29 10am-12pm
This years theme is “Indigenous Wisdom to Face Modern Challenges". Located in Tribal Gymnasium 1145 E-Sha Road, Lone Pine, CA.
| | |
No Man's Land Film Festival
Two showings: Bishop & Mammoth
| |
No Man's Land Film Festival (NMLFF) is the premier all-women adventure film festival based out of Denver, Colorado, that meets a need and desire to highlight and connect women in pursuit of the radical. We are a collaboration and celebration of humans who are deeply engaged in enhancing the feminine presence in the adventure arena. The goal of this festival is to connect like-minded individuals who are action-oriented, wish to support a shared vision of gender equality, have a desire to experience their passions and environments through a uniquely feminine lens, and above all, love adventure. | |
This event is co-hosted with the American Alpine Club- Eastern Sierra Chapter. We are fundraising for the Bishop Climbing Ranger Program for the 2023/2024 season. All tickets are $15 presale or $18 at the door. Tickets will include a chance to win prizes from local businesses. There will also be an option to watch virtually for $10. | |
|
Thursday April 27
6:30-9:00pm
Bishop Twin Theatre
| |
|
Friday April 28
6:30-9:00pm
Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center
| |
|
Bishop High Sierra Ultras
Millpond Recreation Area, Bishop, CA
| |
|
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Events: 6k, 20 Mile, 53K, 50 Mile & 100K
This incarnation of the Bishop Ultras is offered as a benefit to the Eastern Sierra Youth Outdoor Program, a free six day outdoor climbing and backpacking camp for Eastern Sierra youth, as well as Inyo County Search and Rescue. All net proceeds will be donated to these two organizations. The race is operated by the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association, who provides all necessary permits including from the Inyo National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management, Inyo County, and Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power.
| |
Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua
Registration Opens April 15 at 6:30 am

| |
|
June 16-18, 2023 in Lee Vining, CA
The Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua brings birders together to enhance appreciation and understanding of the Mono Basin's diverse and abundant bird life and to educate the public about this area's value to birds and people. The Chautauqua offers over 90 field trips, workshops, and presentations with renowned bird guides, naturalists, and artists. Add live music and delicious food, and you've got yourself a fantastic long weekend in nature with friends!
| |
Join ESIA staff member, Gena Wood for her bird focused watercolor workshop. | |
SnowSchool in the Eastern Sierra | |
|
We need your help! We are in need of gently used snow boots, sunglasses, gloves, snow pants and jackets. Your donations will ensure kids can safely and enjoyably learn about snow. Please contact gena@esiaonline.org to arrange donation drop off or pick up.
| |
|
SnowSchool is a bridge connecting kids to snow science, watersheds and winter recreation. This Winter Wildlands Alliance program is a STEM-based curriculum that combines a field trip in the snow with classroom presentations. Students learn about hydrology, winter ecology, wildlife, and snow crystals. They also make a vital connection between the snowpack—source of more than 80% of our water in the West—and the water they drink every day.
ESIA and Friends of the Inyo work together to provide SnowSchool to Bishop and Mammoth 5th grade students.
| |
Wildlife Tracking Workshops | | |
|
ESIA teamed up with Phil Johnston for monthly wildlife tracking workshops. These workshops have been a huge hit- with workshops selling out a couple months ahead of time. We will continue to offer workshops through the summer. We will be opening up summer registration in the next month. | |
|
Manzanar National Historic Site News
War Relocation Authority Building Relocated back to Manzanar
| |
|
We are proud to say the first piece of the administration staff apartment building made it back to Manzanar from Lone Pine. This original Manzanar staff apartment building will be returned to its original location in Manzanar’s administration area, where the War Relocation Authority (WRA) staff and their families (historically referred to as “Caucasian” staff) lived and worked. During the war, some referred to the staff housing area as “Beverly Hills” since both the buildings and the people were “white.”
This will provide the only example of living conditions for the WRA staff that can be contrasted to the living conditions of the incarcerees. Beyond serving as a visual and physical contrast, having a staff building will allow Manzanar to expand its interpretation of the WRA staff and their role in trying to reconcile the directives from the national WRA headquarters in Washington DC with the realities of a forcibly incarcerated community.
Photo was taken by Tim Walden who was instrumental in getting the building donated to the NPS by the owners, Christine and Marvin Hedrics. ESIA mitigated the building from any contaminants like asbestos, lead and mold. West Coast Barns & Sheds did the move. A huge thank you to the many generous people who donated to ESIA to support this project.
| |
|
The Alabama Hills just celebrated it's 4th birthday as a National Scenic Area!
ESIA has been working alongside the Bureau of Land Management to continue restoration efforts and education in the Alabama Hills. Learn more about these changes on our website. The Alabama Hills were hit hard by this winter's storms. Many roads that were fixed a few weeks ago are now impassible. Many roads in the Alabama Hills are closed. Visit Inyo County Road Conditions for up to date conditions. You can park your vehicle at the Shark Fin parking lot and walk or ride your bike if you would like to access the 'Hills. Please respect road closure and do not drive off designated roads to avoid ruts and other obstacles.
Want to stay in the loop with the Alabama Hills? Join our Monthly Alabama Hills Newsletter below.
| | |
Great horned owl in Bishop, California | |
Our Mission
Our mission is to educate and inspire people about the Sierra's public lands through high-quality interpretive products, exhibits, and programs.
We operate outstanding bookstores, cooperate with our public land management partners to operate successful visitor centers, and provide high-quality interpretive programs, exhibits, and publications throughout the Sierra Nevada. We do all this to educate and inspire people about this region, to encourage them to get to know the area better, and to enable everyone to be effective stewards of these resources.
| |
|
Help support these programs and give back to places you love!
Donate, Become a Member, or Renew today!
| | | | |
