This Giving Tuesday, help us meet our fundraising goal of $25,000
and be a part of our work protecting the land and water of the Eastern Sierra

The outcome of the Presidential election was a shock to many – and/or a grim confirmation of our worst fears – for the future of our lives, our communities, our nation, and our planet.

All of us at Friends of the Inyo acknowledge that no one really knows yet exactly what is to come or how we will defend all that is good and resist the worst of what may happen. Perhaps you feel angry and determined – or hopeless, scared, and alone. Perhaps you alternate between all these feelings and more, given the day or the hour – or depending on the latest national and international news. Yet we know that we are always, always stronger together and that we can take collective action – here in our own communities at the local level – to protect the people, places, values, and freedoms we hold dear.

And that is exactly why INYO350, the Sierra Club Range of Light Group, and Friends of the Inyo all invite you to join us on December 15, from 3:00-5:00pm for a gathering of like-minded and like-hearted people who care about our area and the future of our local environment and public lands, social justice, reproductive health, public schools, our family members and neighbors who are threatened by calls for mass deportations, and more. We are holding this event to strengthen our community and prepare for what comes next. And to offer hope. We will share space as a compassionate community of people who want to do what we can, in this place, now and going forward. We will acknowledge the rush of feelings – grief, anger, determination, fear, paralysis, resolve - to name but a few, that people may be feeling now. And we will seek and find shared goals, direction, and community to face these troubling times together.

This meeting will include brief opening remarks from key local leaders, then an opportunity for sharing, discussion, and organizing for local actions to come. We will work to build on the successes we have had to date – fighting and limiting mining projects on Conglomerate Mesa, blocking mining at Hot Creek in Long Valley, defending our water, defeating extreme local candidates, standing up to bullies who railed at our local school boards and educators, passing Measures R+S, and more.

Please join us in the fellowship hall of the Bishop United Methodist Church (205 N Fowler Street in Bishop) from 3:00-5:00PM on Sunday, December 15. Light refreshments will be available.

No RSVP required

WATER LEARNING SERIES: Los Angeles
December 12th, 6pm PST
with

TINA CALDERON, TERI RED OWL & KYNDALL NOAH
Completing the circle

Come join the last session of our year long Water Learning Series: Los Angeles

On Nov. 17, at the Alabama Gates commemoration event in Lone Pine, FOI executive director Wendy Schneider spoke  alongside other local veteran water protectors about the continuing effects of excessive water extraction in our area, and how we could move forward toward a more just system of water management.

FOI's executive director Wendy Schneider spoke at the Sierra Nevada Alliance statewide conservation conference on Nov. 8, 2024. Wendy discussed the power of partnerships in defending California's important ecosystems and native species and connected with many other statewide conservation leaders.

Jaime Lopez Wolters, Desert Lands Organizer at FOI, participated in and presented at the WMAN Conference in Montreal, Canada on Nov. 14-17.

Communities affected by mining in the United States and Canada gathered for several days to share stories, and strategize on effective organizing against destructive mining corporations.

Friends of the Inyo and our effort to protect Conglomerate Mesa got a mention on Radio Canada. For those who read French, you can find the article here.

On November 14th, Kayla Browne, FOI's Desert and Renewable Energy Policy Director, joined the Wildlands Conservancy, land managers, conservationists, community leaders and tribal members at the Whitewater Preserve to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the California Desert Protection Act.

This landmark act preserved 9.2 million acres of California’s desert as wilderness and park lands for current and future generations. Spanning from Death Valley to the U.S.-Mexico border, the California Desert Protection Act added or expanded 74 areas into the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Ways you can help!

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, this 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.