Thank you for raising your voice to protect our roadless National Forests! The U.S. Forest Service received over 625,000 public comments on the proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (aka. The Roadless Rule).

The Center for Western Priorities early analysis of the submitted comments found that an overwhelming 99% of the comments supported keeping the Roadless Rule in place. That is a staggering number of public lands protectors who are standing up against the onslaught coming from this administration. Your voice matters and we have data to prove it.

We've done our part by showing that people overwhelmingly support protecting public lands. Now it's up to this administration to decide whether they'll follow through on what the public has clearly called for.

A final decision is expected in late 2026.

Lend Your Voice for the Public Lands Rule! The Trump administration, in coordination with anti-conservation members of Congress, continue their attacks on public lands, national monuments, and bedrock conservation laws.

The latest move is the administration’s announcement on September 11 that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the largest steward of public land at 245 million acres, has launched a 60-day comment period to gather feedback about repealing the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule (The Public Lands Rule).

The Public Lands Rule provides guidance for the BLM to balance its mission to focus on cultural lands protection, conservation, recreation, wildlife, and climate impacts for the lands and waters that support Western communities, including those right here in the Eastern Sierra.

This rule provides the BLM guidance to balance its priorities and develop an inclusive conservation approach that includes co-stewardship and co-management with Tribal nations who have cared for these lands and waters since time immemorial.

We - the public - must speak up for the future of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management by participating in the Bureau of Land Management’s comment period.

When Congress created the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in 1964, it was meant to be simple and brilliant: oil and gas companies extracting resources offshore would have to give something back. Royalties from drilling would be funneled into a fund that protected public lands. 

Almost 50,000 projects have been supported by this fund. But capped at just $900 million, the fund has shriveled with rising inflation, and powerful interests have ceaselessly pushed to redirect or weaken the program, undermining what should be one of the strongest tools we have for conservation.

In a repugnant move by billionaire, fossil fuel loyalist, and Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, the BLM no longer has access to LWCF money for land acquisitions after he signed Secretarial Order 3442 behind closed doors. As the largest steward of public land at 245 million acres, this is huge. 

Instead, the order now gives states the ability to use LWCF money to buy federal land, stripping their federal protections, and allowing state governments the liberty to turn and sell those lands to anyone they choose. This effectively contorts the Land and Water Conservation Fund, once meant to expand and improve public lands with extractive industry money, into something that eliminates public lands and plants extractive industries in their place.

Here in the Eastern Sierra, LWCF has played a vital role in expanding trail access, protecting wildlife corridors, and keeping our public lands whole. But its story is a reminder: conservation gains aren’t guaranteed. They have to be defended. If we want LWCF to live up to its original vision of protecting land and water for all of us, we need to stay vigilant and keep calling out attempts to corrupt what belongs to the people.

The Pinyon Community Climate Action Network’s Eastern Sierra Stewardship Summit, with leaders from Tribal Nations, federal agencies, NGOs, state and local governments, was a complete success, with wonderful conversations and even several research projects taking place to further aid the Network’s interdisciplinary effort to increase the resilience of forests, landscapes, and communities in the Eastern Sierra.

The Community Open House featured informational booths, food, pinyon juniper themed mocktails, opportunities to get involved in research, and music and dancing provided and led by AkaMya Culture Group. 

Friends of the Inyo was also awarded for our efforts to enhance community engagement and collaboration within the Pinyon Community Climate Action Network with a beautiful framed photo of a bristlecone, our logo, in a pinyon juniper woodland, taken as part of the media efforts for the Network.

The campaign to Protect Conglomerate Mesa is ongoing!

We recently installed a banner on our Friends of the Inyo Lone Pine office (left) to help maintain public attention on the issue.

The Bureau of Land Management will be coming out with the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) near the end of November.

As soon as they do we will let you all know.

A Huge Thank You to Our 2025 Trail Ambassadors!

Another season has flown by, and we’re still catching our breath from the incredible work our Trail Ambassadors pulled off this year. Seriously, can we just take a moment? 

John was down in Mt. Whitney, Jean in White Mountain, Jordan in Mammoth, Bella up in Mono Basin, and Aiden all the way North in Bridgeport. This crew is the heart and soul of what we represent at Friends of the Inyo. These are people who care so deeply about these lands and the people who visit them, that they choose to spend 5 months of their year being out on Eastern Sierra trails and advocating for their continued protection and care. Can you imagine hiking 4 days a week for 5 months while cutting logs, lopping overgrowth, leading naturalist talks, answering questions, and doing it all with a smile the entire time? 

In a time when Forest Service staffing is tighter than ever, their presence on trail has been more important than ever. We’ve worked hand-in-hand with the Inyo and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests to make sure we’re where we need to be, doing what needs to be done. These numbers are just a glimpse of their impact this season: 

🏔️ 434 miles of trail monitored. 

🤩 6,500 visitors greeted with a smile and some solid info.

🪵 183 logs cleared from trails 

🗑️ 675 pounds of trash packed out.

🌱 28 free interpretive events, from edible plant walks to bear safety booths and talks in the ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, reaching over 500 curious folks.

But the real story isn’t in the stats. It’s in the friendly face that points you to a way better campsite you didn’t even know existed. It’s in the cool bear fact that made your kid’s day. It’s in the passion they share for this place we all love. We will miss them dearly this winter, but wish them happy trails in all their off-season adventures. 

Have a story to share? We’d love to hear about your experience with a Trail Ambassador! Did Bella help you identify a bird call? Did John tell you how to store your food so Marmots won’t steal it? Did Aiden give you a tip that made your hike better? Please send us a note at stewardship@friendsoftheinyo.org and share your experience with us! We’d love to share some of these stories to show why their work matters so much.

Our team of 16 dedicated volunteers descended on the Artesian Wells in Bishop and removed a staggering 111 pounds of trash, making an immediate visible impact on the health and beauty of this precious waterway. Volunteers enjoyed Hing’s donuts and Black Sheep coffee before heading off along the road, into the brush, and in some cases straight into the water! 

A special thanks to Emily, one of our Water Empowerment Organizers, for educating us on the history of water in the Owens Valley. And thank you to Eastern Sierra Land Trust for hosting this annual event with us.

National Public Lands Day was Saturday, September 27th, and boy, did we celebrate! Our crew set out on the Mammoth Scenic Loop to reduce wildfire risk by making sure popular dispersed camp sites have high-quality, well-placed fire rings. Our group of volunteers and staff from the Town of Mammoth Lakes, the Whitebark Institute, and Friends of the Inyo relocated fire rings away from potential fuel sources, scooped ash out of overfull rings, dismantled redundant fire rings, and cleaned up 100 pounds of trash. We’re always amazed and grateful by the volunteers who choose to wake up early on a Saturday morning, dig around in the dirt, and carry rocks with us. Thank you, Jody, Brian, Tanya, Jax, and Kyle! 

Did you know that at least 85% of wildfires are caused by humans? An ideal fire ring is about the size of a pizza and at least 10 feet away from potential fuel sources. The Inyo National Forest is still in fire restrictions, so wait until this winter to try out those freshened-up fire rings on the Scenic Loop.

Here in the Eastern Sierra, every aspect of our lives and landscape is affected by water. This year, Friends of the Inyo’s Water Empowerment Organizers Charlene Buff and Emily Ontiveros are creating our new program Revealing Payahuunadü, focused on increasing our community’s understanding of the impacts of water extraction across Payahuunadü and envisioning a more sustainable future.

Water is life, and the well-being of all depends on protecting and stewarding our watershed. Visit the new website ourwaterstory.org to explore the history and stay tuned for ways YOU can get involved, including events, workshops, panels, surveys for community input, educational curriculum, youth opportunities, and more! 

Please make a donation today to support a future of a well-watered Payahuunadü. Donate $35 or more to join or renew your Friends of the Inyo membership to receive our beautiful magazine the Jeffrey Pine Journal delivered straight to your door, plus early access to Owens Lake Bird Festival registration, merch shop discount, and more.

What would you like to learn about water?

Your input will help shape the Revealing Payahuunadü program!

Revealing Payahuunadü will be sharing information on history in November and December, diving deeper into the eras of our water story. Make sure to stay up to date by checking our website ourwaterstory.org, signing up for the Every Last Drop newsletter, and following along on Facebook and Instagram.

Future water education topics to be announced soon!

Connecting Land and Water: Eastern Sierra NevadaBuilding a Shared Vision for California Watershed Communities

Localizing California Waters’ Annual Conference is taking place October 14-16 in Mammoth Lakes. The agenda and registration information is available on the Localizing California Waters website. Join the conference to connect with other land and water stewards and create opportunities for regional collaboration.

Halloween weekend, October 31st - November 2nd.

Join the Sierra Club, Coalition Mammoth, and Friends of the Inyo for GRAVEL NOT GOLD:  a bikepacking advocacy adventure in the Bodie Hills

Learn about mining threats in the Bodie Hills and tour the local area, including Bodie State Historic Park, in this moderate to difficult group-bikepacking experience. This is a self sufficient bikepacking trip suitable for mountain or gravel bikes, requiring you to bring your own food, tent, and repair kit, but with water and adventure provided!

Sunday, Oct. 12th: 10 AM - 1 PM

Highway Cleanup with Keep Long Valley Green

It will be a serious Sunday stewardship day this coming Oct. 12th, for anyone who cares to join the Keep Long Valley Green Coalition and Friends of the Inyo for a highway cleanup from 10 AM to 1 PM.

In order to have our beautiful Keep Long Valley Green sign on US 395 by Crowley Lake, we have to clean up the area twice a year. Therefore, before the snow flies, (or at least before it sticks) join us for a volunteer trash cleanup. It’s a great way to give back on this iconic section of highway between Crowley Lake and McGee.

Tools, safety gear, and coffee/donuts will be provided. Participants will also be rewarded with free tickets for a raffle as thank you. Meet at the Green Church (906 Benton Crossing Road) along Highway 395 in Long Valley at 10 AM.

Questions? Please reach out to allison@friendsoftheinyo.org.

The California Waterfowl Association Owens River 11th Annual Clean Up is scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2025. This is the eleventh consecutive year of this fantastic event. Put it on your calendar, and plan to be in Bishop, California for the fall colors, and to give back to one of the Eastern Sierra’s blue-ribbon fisheries and its surrounding areas. 

All volunteers meet at the Pleasant Valley Campground at 8AM on the morning of Saturday, November 1. Coffee and baked goods will be offered to all volunteers. Representatives from important conservation and fishing groups will be present. This is also a great social event. Volunteers are handed trash bags, then divide and conquer to help clean up throughout the valley. Participants reconvene at noon for a lunch of Subway sandwiches, chips, cookies, and cold drinks. 

There is a free raffle for participants. Event organizer Chris Leonard will take any swag that anyone would like to donate for the raffle. Food and beverages are sponsored by contributing organizations and casting clubs. This event doesn’t happen without the selfless support of sponsors. There are many contributors, and no gift large or small goes unnoticed. If you’d like to help sponsor the event and/or donate swag for the raffle, please reach out to event organizer Chris Leonard at 818.288.3271. Questions can also be directed to Chris Leonard. 

No RSVP is required to participate.

Dana’s photo of coyote pups on Owens Lake (above and in the header) was selected for consideration for the California Wildlife Photo of the Year Contest, put on by CA Watchable Wildlife.

Friends of the Inyo is grateful for getting to use Dana’s photos, most recently for the poster of the 2025 Owens Lake Bird Festival.

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Main Office:

621 W. Line St., Suite 201

Bishop, CA 93514

Satellite Office:

142 E. Bush St.

Lone Pine, CA 93545

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FriendsoftheInyo.org

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info@friendsoftheinyo.org