March/April 2021 • ESLT News

Dear Conservation Hero,
Please tell me that I am not alone, and that you feel it too.
 
I have watched my daffodils push up through the cold dark soil towards the warmth of the sun. Their bright yellow contrasts with the gray of the trees, just now beginning to show a smidge of green as they begin to bud. Is this spring, or optimism that is blooming all around me?
 
I think it’s both!
 
I say this as I poke tiny little seeds into pots, hoping that I will be able to provide just the right amount of water, warmth and light, so that they will grow into delicious food in a few months. Pure optimism!
 
I wonder if this is how the founders of ESLT felt as they researched, formed, planned and hoped. And as they looked out to the future, what did they see for the Eastern Sierra and ESLT? Stay tuned, because in the coming months we’ll be checking in with the visionary folks who started ESLT 20 years ago.
 
Yes – ESLT is celebrating our 20th Anniversary this year! From an all-volunteer organization led by dedicated leaders to one that has now protected over 20,000 acres.

20,000 acres in 20 years... and more to come.
 
I hope that “spring has sprung” in your garden and optimism is blooming all around you.
All my best,

Kay Ogden
Executive Director/CEO, ESLT
(760) 873-4554, kay@eslt.org

P.S. Please keep in touch – we’ve got amazing news to share soon, and we’re already working on a summer of celebration.
Mono Basin History Museum Hosts Talk on Hunewill Ranch
Monday, April 5 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Hunewill Ranch, founded in 1861 by Esther and Napoleon Hunewill, supplied timber and beef to the mining town of Bodie. The Hunewill family has since owned and managed their cattle ranch over seven generations. The family’s dedication to conservation led them to protect the ranch’s native grasslands, wildlife habitat, and scenic views forever with a conservation easement. Hear their fascinating history in this online chat with ESLT Executive Director/CEO Kay Ogden and Megan Hunewill.

What's Up at ESLT!
Wednesday, April 7 at 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Mark your calendars for an online chat with Kay Ogden, Executive Director/CEO, and Board Members to hear the latest happenings at Eastern Sierra Land Trust. With spring approaching, you're sure to hear about things blooming and wildlife on the move. Who knows... you might even hear news on land projects!

Earth Day Youth Art Contest
Deadline: April 30th
Do you know 5th-12th graders who are creative and inspired by nature? Celebrate Earth Day with us! Capture and share what the Eastern Sierra means to you.

Save the Date!
ESLT's Lands & Legacy Celebration 2021:
August 30th - September 6th
20,000 acres in 20 years!
Plan to join us for another fabulous round up of fun, informative, and inspiring speakers and online gatherings in celebration of ESLT's 20th anniversary. Stay tuned for more details - you won't want to miss this look back at all we've accomplished together, with a glance forward at where we can go.

Virtual Pollinator Garden Workshop Series
Saturday, April 17 from 11am-12pm
"Establishing and Maintaining Your Native Plants, Trade Secrets from a Restoration Ecologist"
with Julie Fontaine, restoration ecologist and soil specialist

Monday, April 26th at 12pm-1pm
"Drip Irrigation How-To’s & Virtual Q&A Session"
with Roberta Lagomarsini, Inyo/Mono Master Gardener

Monday, May 3rd from 12pm-1pm
"Gardening with Native Plants in the Eastern Sierra"
with California Native Plant Society, Bristlecone Chapter’s Katie Quinlan

Friday, May 7th at 12pm-1pm
"Gardening for Pollinators"
with Pete Pumphrey, Eastern Sierra Audubon’s recent past-president

Friday, May 7th at 12pm-1pm
"Cultivating Creativity and Design in Your Garden"
with Roberta Lagomarsini, Inyo/Mono Master Gardener
ESLT Garden Restoration Volunteer Day: April 13
We are looking for a handful of helping hands in our native plant and pollinator demonstration garden! We'll (safely) prepare the garden for spring.
California Native Plant Society, Bristlecone Chapter’s Native Plant Sale – Online!
May 10th - 15th
Purchase your garden’s native plants for the spring season at the annual CNPS Native Plant Sale, online this year!

Owens River Annual Clean Up
Saturday, May 1st at 8am
Join Trout Unlimited, LADWP, CalTrout and many others in the annual river cleanup, safely. Meet at Pleasant Valley Campground at the metal footbridge; raffles and lunch following.
Long Valley-Wendilyn Grassesch-Mammoth Timesi
Keep Long Valley Green Court Ruling
ESLT has been working for three years to help find a solution to the water conflict in Long Valley, and were founding members of the Keep Long Valley Green Coalition, a diverse group of local ranchers, Tribal leaders, and conservation and recreation organizations. The recent court decision in favor of Mono County and the Sierra Club, is great news. Stay tuned for more updates!

Long Valley photo by Wendilyn Grasseschi/Mammoth Times
Payahuunadü Water Story
Teri Red Owl recently shared the water history of the Bishop Paiute Tribe and contemporary water issues during the 2021 Western Water Symposium. Teri is an enrolled member of the Bishop Paiute Tribe and Executive Director of the Owens Valley Indian Water Commission, a Tribal Consortium.

Save the Date!
Paya Film Showing and Panel Discussion
May 25th from 6-7:30pm

Teri Red Owl is hosting a viewing of the film Paya: The Water Story of the Paiute, followed by a panel discussion on more of the water story in the Owens Valley.
Mammoth Lakes 395 Wildlife Crossing Project
Did you catch the February 11th presentation on the Mammoth Lakes 395 Wildlife Crossing project? Learn more about this project and the fundraising opportunities to help wildlife safely cross the highway. 

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, Cami, Carissa, Gabrielle, Heather, Sara, Sus, and our Board of Directors