It's Here! The Owens Lake Bird Festival Returns for its 10th Year! On April 11-13, 2025, Friends of the Inyo will host its annual Owens Lake Bird Festival in the "Little Town with Lots of Charm" that is Lone Pine in Southern Inyo County. 

This year's tour lineup is more robust than in previous years, with the return of our most popular tours and even some new offerings! 

Questions? Email kayla@friendsoftheinyo.org 

In the Community

It is no secret that federal agencies have suffered severe funding and staffing cuts across the board- it is more important than ever that we support our local agencies and help ensure visitors understand how to get their permits, respectfully recreate on the land, and leave these lands better than they found them. Please spread the word that we all must do our part as spring and summer come to make the jobs of public land stewards easier, and don't forget to share these volunteer opportunities!

Inyo National Forest Seeks Volunteers:

Camp Hosts Needed for the Mono Lake Ranger District 

The Inyo National Forest is looking for enthusiastic Volunteer Camp Hosts to support: the Hartley Springs, Glass Creek, Big Springs, and Deadman Campgrounds!

Volunteer responsibilities include greeting visitors, assisting visitors to the campground, and helping with basic maintenance and cleaning. Besides experience and positive impact, volunteer perks include a free campsite in a serene location and modest living expense reimbursements. 

Volunteer Front Desk Host for the Mono Lake Ranger District 

The Inyo National Forest is also seeking friendly, reliable, and enthusiastic individuals to join their team as Front Desk Hosts 
(Volunteer USFS Front Desk Host) at the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area Visitor Center. 

Volunteer responsibilities include greeting visitors, answering questions and phone calls, and assisting with visitor permits and passes for 32 hours a week. Besides experience and positive impact, volunteer perks include free housing or trailer pad. 

The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) is looking for volunteers in Walker Pass on Sunday, March 16, and Tehachapi on Monday, March 24. Brushing, hand-sawing trees back from the trail corridor, and treading will be the main focus of the work. 

Questions? Email Suzanne Hessler at shessler@pcta.org 

Join the Maturango Museum for their 2025 Wildflower Exhibit - Friday, March 28 through Sunday, March 30, 2025

Every spring the Maturango Museum hosts the annual Wildflower Exhibit during which visitors can see the wide variety and abundance of wildflowers that grow in the Indian Wells Valley and surrounding canyons. Collectors with the proper BLM permits spend multiple days gathering the wildflowers which are placed into bottles or vases and then set onto tables according to their family. This allows visitors to have a close-up view of the many wildflowers from the Indian Wells Valley & surrounding area – all in one room!

In addition to viewing the wildflowers, the museum has scheduled several activities for this three-day event. Glenn Harris will present "Climate and Vegetation" on Friday, March 28, at 6:30 PM. 

Rachel Tageant will present "A Floristic Inventory of the Owens River Headwater Area, Mono County, California" on Saturday, March 29, at 3 PM. They will also have workshops over the three days. See the Maturango Museum website, Maturango.org, for descriptions and times. The Maturango Museum is located at 100 E Las Flores Ave, Ridgecrest, CA. Phone – 760-375-6900. Cost is $2.00 per person.

The Rock Creek boardwalk has outlived its lifespan and has deteriorated to the point of danger. Since federal budgets have been on a steady decline, the Inyo NF has no funding to dedicate to this project. Due to private member donations and some funds received from the Adopt-A-Trail program, last summer we were able to replace the first dilapidated section with new, heartier materials. This 80-foot section cost approximately $15,000.00 in materials alone! We are running a Gofundme campaign to attempt to address the remaining 200+ feet of hazardous boardwalk.  

Want to support Friends of the Inyo? Consider making a donation online today!
Or help us Grow Our Circle of Friends...of the Inyo! by purchasing a membership for a friend or loved one. 
Thank you for your generous support.