Thanks to your calls, emails, and public pressure, Congress removed all proposed public land sales from the budget reconciliation bill. Because of your action, places like Bishop's Volcanic Tablelands (pictured above) remain in public hands, free from private development, for now. This is a real victory, and it wouldn’t have happened without you.

Get outside with Friends of the Inyo this summer! Lend a hand at our volunteer events at June Lake, Rock Creek, and Onion Valley, or join us at our free interpretive hikes like Stroll & Sketch, Root to Ridge, and more.

LEND A HAND FOR THE LANDS YOU LOVE! JOIN FRIENDS OF THE INYO AT ROCK CREEK, JUNE LAKE, AND ONION VALLEY FOR TRAIL WORK AND CLEAN-UP DAYS THAT MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE.

July 5th 8:30 AM-2:00 PM

June Lake Trails Day

Join the June Lake Trails Committee, Friends of the Inyo, the Inyo National Forest, and Mono County Recreation for a day of community and trail work in the June Lake area. Projects may include brushing, treading, and crosscut sawing.

Meeting Location: June Lake Community Center Parking Lot

There will be giveaways and free food/drink for volunteers! No experience necessary! All tools and training provided by organizing partners. No registration needed. Volunteers should bring: Plenty of water and snacks, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, etc.), and closed-toe shoes suitable for walking uneven terrain.

No Registration Needed!

July 12th 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Onion Valley Trails Day

Join Friends of the Inyo and the Inyo National Forest for a morning of community and trail work on the Golden Trout Lakes trail in Independence. Project activities may include brushing and leveling the trail surface. Volunteers will be hiking ~3 miles round trip.

Meeting Location: Kearsarge Pass Trailhead

No experience necessary! All tools and training provided by FOI and USFS. All ages welcome. Volunteers should bring: Plenty of water and snacks, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, etc.), and closed-toe shoes suitable for walking uneven terrain.

Space is limited! Be sure to register ahead of time.

July 19th 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Rock Creek Lakes Clean Up Day

Join Friends of the Inyo and the Inyo National Forest for a cleanup of Rock Creek Lake and nearby trails. We'll focus on removing trash and fishing line from the shoreline and surrounding areas to help protect this special place for people and wildlife alike.

Meeting Location: Rock Creek Lakes Campground Parking Lot

What to bring: Plenty of water and snacks, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, etc.), and closed-toe shoes suitable for walking uneven terrain Thanks to the support of Rock Creek Lake Resort, volunteers will get discounts on ice cream and refreshments!

No Registration Needed!

THIS SUMMER, LET THE MOUNTAINS BE YOUR TEACHER. JOIN US FOR FREE, HANDS-ON PROGRAMS WHERE WE INVITE YOU TO SLOW DOWN, LOOK CLOSER, AND RECONNECT WITH THE LAND IN THE BEST CLASSROOM THERE IS: THE OUTDOORS.

July 6th 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Root to Ridge

Join us for a guided interpretive walk in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. We'll explore the hidden connections that shape our forest, from the roots beneath our feet to the ridges above.

Meeting Location: Virginia Lakes Trailhead. On Google Maps, it appears as "Virginia Lakes Parking". Coordinates: 38.0477439, -119.2630841

Each participant must register to attend.

July 6th 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Let's Talk About Bears

Trail Ambassador Jordan will be answering all your burning bear questions and sharing bear-y interesting ursine knowledge in Mammoth this summer. No registration required - Just show up ready to learn about our fuzzy locals!

Meeting Location: Twin Lakes Vista, Mammoth Lakes

No Registration Required

July 11th, 18th, and 25th 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM

Nature Yoga

Join Trail Ambassador Jean for some Yoga in Nature! She will take you through a yoga flow, with modifications appropriate for all abilities, that looks similar to familiar asanas - but will have some fun nature-based themes!

Location: Pokonobe Marina, Mammoth Lakes

No Registration Required

July 12th 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Sierra Forager Plant Walks

Come join White Mountain District Trail Ambassador, Jean, on a hike up East Fork of Rock Creek where you'll learn about, and potentially find, some medicinal-edible flora. Learn about conscious foraging of plants, their edible and medicinal properties, and sustainable practices to preserve our wild kingdom.

Meeting Location: Park at the East Fork Trailhead Day Use loop (Rock Creek Sno-Park). 37.492762, -118.717218.

Each participant must register to attend.

July 13th 9:30 AM - 12:00 AM

Stroll and Sketch

Take a hike amongst aspen groves, wildflowers, and waterfalls while stopping to observe and sketch the surrounding beauty. No art experience needed—just a sense of curiosity! 

Meeting Location: Lundy Canyon Trailhead.

38.02246, -119.26193

Each participant must register to attend.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)  tried three separate times this month to force the sale of up to 3.3 million acres of federal land through the spending package. Although the Senate parliamentarian struck that language on June 23, Lee immediately floated a slimmer “version 3” that threatened more than a million acres of BLM lands. Cherished landscapes from the sculpted granite of the Alabama Hills and sweeping vistas atop Table Mountain to the high-desert Bodie Hills, the geothermal pools of Long Valley Hot Springs, the world-class bouldering fields near Bishop, and BLM corridors along the Sierra’s iconic rivers would all be at risk of being forced onto the auction block.

Thanks to public outcry, on June 26 five Western Republicans— Reps. Ryan Zinke (MT), Mike Simpson (ID), Dan Newhouse (WA), Cliff Bentz (OR) and David Valadao (CA) —sent Speaker Johnson a letter pledging to vote no on any bill that resurrects the sell-off. Rep. Kevin Kiley (CA-03) reinforced that stance with a forceful House-floor speech and by joining the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus, a move we have been calling for in our messaging for months.

Now, Senator Mike Lee has announced that he is withdrawing the federal land sales provision from the reconciliation bill. Make no mistake: this victory belongs to all of you. We will continue to advocate against the many other bad provisions in this bill, but today we celebrate all your hard work! 

June was a great month for getting your hands dirty and giving back to the land. From brushing jungle-esque trails to kicking invasive weed's butts, we brought together passionate volunteers who care deeply about protecting and preserving the Eastern Sierra, and got the job done. Read on to see what we accomplished together.

On Saturday, June 7, ten dedicated individuals came together to celebrate National Trails Day by taking care of their public lands. Working on the Tropics section of the Robinson Creek Trail, the crew significantly improved a half-mile stretch of trail over eight hours.

A primary goal of the day was to reestablish trail corridor clearances to support safe and accessible use by stock. The Robinson Creek Trail truly lives up to the nickname “the Tropics,” with lush, fast-growing vegetation that requires frequent and significant brushing to keep the path clear. Thanks to the efforts of three U.S. Forest Service wilderness trail crew members, three Friends of the Inyo partners, and four enthusiastic volunteers, the team made significant progress in opening up the trail and enhancing access.

Fueling the morning’s efforts were delicious pastries generously donated by Latte Da Café—a much-appreciated treat for the hardworking crew!

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating our public lands and helping keep this beautiful trail open and accessible for all.

Over two hot June evenings, 13 amazing volunteers showed up with gloves, grit, and great attitudes to take on invasive weeds at the Happys climbing area in the Volcanic Tablelands. In just four hours of work, the crew managed to pull over 12 contractor bags full of invasive thistle. 

Thistle is not only a huge nuisance, but also a serious threat to the landscape. It outcompetes native plants and reduces critical habitat for wildlife. By removing it, volunteers are helping native species thrive and preserving the ecological balance of this unique and sensitive desert environment.

Despite the heat, spirits stayed high, and the impact was huge. Thank you to everyone who joined us in protecting public lands and keeping the Happys healthy and beautiful for climbers, hikers, and critters alike.

State Reserve Boardwalk Removal Volunteers Days

Dates: July 16, 17, & 18 

The Mono Lake Committee, in partnership with California State Parks, is organizing a 3-day volunteer effort to remove the burned and damaged State Reserve Boardwalk at the Mono Lake County Park to help expedite its replacement. The boardwalk was damaged in the recent Inn Fire. If you’re interested in volunteering, please fill out this form:State Reserve Boardwalk Removal Volunteer Days

Email deja@monolake.org with any questions. 

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