mule deer in eastern sierra near mount tom

MAMMOTH LAKES 395 WILDLIFE CROSSING PROJECT

Do you love wildlife in the Eastern Sierra?
Our wildlife need us to reconnect their habitats to survive and thrive.
Be part of the solution and follow this collaborative community project!

Photo © CDFW wildlife webcam

CERTIFY YOUR GARDEN

Bring your backyard to life by creating a blooming haven
for hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

Photo © Tony Mills

Home2024-07-11T11:45:50-07:00

Together, Protecting Our Wild
and Working Lands

Snowy Sierra peaks towering thousands of feet above the valley floor. Wide-open ranchlands where livestock and wildlife live in harmony. This is the Eastern Sierra – California’s “Wild Side.” A land like nowhere else.

And you can help make sure it stays that way.

At Eastern Sierra Land Trust, we partner with local landowners, agencies, and conservation supporters like you to protect the Eastern Sierra for the future. Our aim is to preserve a healthy balance of land uses — from ranching to biking, wildlife habitats to favorite fishing spots — that can be sustained forever, ensuring a strong local economy and healthy environment for generations to come.

Success Stories

By partnering with forward-thinking landowners and conservation supporters like you, ESLT is able to permanently protect the land, water, and wildlife that make the Eastern Sierra so special. Since our founding in 2001, we have successfully conserved over 23,000 acres on 26 unique properties that provide important resources to wildlife and our community.

View All Success Stories

Join Our Community

Eastern Sierra Land Trust members care about this amazing place and want to conserve it for the future. Join us today: with your tax-deductible membership donations, you’ll make a lasting difference in the lives and lands of our community.

“I am impressed by the professionalism and knowledge of all the staff, board members, and volunteers. When volunteering I have fun while being a part of preserving lands in perpetuity for all to enjoy!”

Kathy Varnam, ESLT volunteer

“It came to where we wanted to do something to protect our land. The thing I like about ESLT is that I believe in private property rights, and working with them allows me to still own my property while preserving it.”

Bob Naylon, landowner
“It’s important to preserve and maintain the history of the area and the legacy of the cattle. The only way to protect the land is to not put houses on it.”
Mark Lacey, rancher

“We believe it is particularly important to preserve open space in the Eastern Sierra for future generations. People come from all over to renew themselves by hiking, fishing, or riding here.”

Stan and Jan Hunewill, ranchers

“I enjoy volunteering because I meet new people and new artists. I appreciate how ESLT supports the artists by holding shows and I find it rewarding to help raise money to support our mission.”

Lynn Peterson, artist and ESLT volunteer

“We support the work of ESLT because we like what they do: they find opportunities to get land protected that is special to all of us.”

Nancy Fiddler, ESLT member

“I enthusiastically support efforts which I believe to be in the good interests of long-term community and environment. ESLT is certainly one of these.”

Jeanne Adams, ESLT member

“We relocated from Southern California to this area because we love and appreciate the natural beauty, the changing seasons, and the local community. We support ESLT’s important work for many of those same reasons.”

Donald and Jodi Sage, ESLT member

“I think it is absolutely terrific that there is a local land trust in the Eastern Sierra. It is so important to work with local youth, to teach them about the land they live on and local organizations like ESLT.”

Genny Smith, author and ESLT member
Become a Member

Monthly Giving

Bristlecone Pines stand the test of time. And by joining our Bristlecone Grove monthly giving club, your impact on the future of the Eastern Sierra will, too. You’ll help make sure that the work we do together will last for generations.

Join the Bristlecone Grove

Pollinator Gardens

With the Eastside Pollinator Garden Project, Eastern Sierra Land Trust helps gardeners in Inyo and Mono counties create beautiful, blooming spaces for butterflies, hummingbirds, and other important pollinators.

Certify Your Garden

395 Wildlife Crossing

Get Involved with helping Eastern Sierra wildlife safely cross Highway 395 in Mammoth Lakes! Learn more about this collaborative regional community project and how your involvement is needed.

Read More

Conservation Currents

Wondering what’s new in Eastern Sierra conservation? Keep up-to-date on local initiatives, events, and other ways that you can get involved by following our blog.

More News

Upcoming Events

Lands & Legacy 2024

October 26 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Gratitude in Full Color: Youth Art Show

November 8 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Eastern Sierra Land Trust