Inyo County youth education professional Joanne Parsons has joinedEastern Sierra Land Trust’s Board of Directors

Joanne Parsons

“I look forward to using my background in education and community engagement to shareESLT’s messagethrough presentations to local civic clubs, organizations, and classrooms.” ~Joanne Parsons

Having lived and worked in the Eastern Sierra for over 35 years, Joanne Parsons has a deep affection for her rugged home. So with the arrival of the New Year, Joanne decided to help guarantee a better future for the region by joining ourBoard of Directors at Eastern Sierra Land Trust.

“By working with landownersto conserve the natural, historic, and agricultural values of their land, ESLT is able to preserve the Eastern Sierra so that current and future generations can enjoy it as I have,” Joanne reflected.

Joanne Parsons has dedicated her professional career to advancing education in the Eastern Sierra. After obtaining a Master’s degree in School Administration from La Verne College, she served as the Principal of Bishop High School, Regional Lead for the State of California Region 10 After School Programs, and Director of the Lone Pine Even Start Program, and was on the Mammoth Lakes Unified School Board for six years.

Joanne’s commitment to the Eastern Sierra community runs deep. She is an active member of the Tri-County Fairgrounds Board of Directors, Altrusa of the Eastern Sierra, the Rotary Club of Bishop Sunrise, and Athena Organization, and is also a Lodge Host for Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. Longtime locals may recognize her as the host of the regional television show, Inyo County Update a role she filled for 17 years.

Joanne first became engaged with Eastern Sierra Land Trust when she decided to join ESLT's Eastside Pollinator Garden Project and create pollinator habitat in her backyard.

Joanne first became engaged with Eastern Sierra Land Trust when she decided to join ourEastside Pollinator Garden Project and create pollinator habitat in her backyard.

Though her background is in Education, Joanne has also been an avid outdoorswoman for most of her life. She grew up on a farm in Michigan, where she developed an appreciation for wildlife and came to understand the necessity of open spaces. Her love of the outdoors has taken her paddling down the Colorado River, hiking through Yellowstone National Park, and on countless adventures in the Sierra Nevada.

Joining the Eastern Sierra Land Trust Board of Directors gives Joanne the opportunityto help safeguard the unique wildlife and rural heritage of the Eastern Sierra for future generations. As a member of the American Rock Art Research Association and the Utah Rock Art Association, she appreciates the organization’s dedication to protecting the history of the region and looks forward to helping Eastern Sierra Land Trust protect relics of the Eastern Sierra’s past such as the historic Basque arborglyphs that can be found on several of ESLT’s protected properties.

Eastern Sierra Land Trust Board President Bob Gardner is delighted to have Joanne join the dynamic team. “Conservation starts with education,” Bob commented. “Joanne Parsons brings to ESLT her immeasurable insight and expertise in this field, as well as a sincere commitment to our community. I can’t imagine anyone better suited to help guide ESLT through the challenges and triumphs that the future has in store.”