Bridgeport Valley, in northern Mono County, once known as "Big Meadows", is one of the largest mountain meadow areas in California. Settled by miners and ranchers 150 years ago, local ranchers in Bridgeport Valley now face rising pressures to develop and subdivide their land. Recently, Centennial Livestock has preserved 718 acres of working agricultural lands with a conservation easement... Press Release [PDF]
ESLT invites you to submit work to a juried show for our 4th annual Art for Conservation Show & Sale planned for the summer of 2012. ESLT is grateful to have the opportunity to partner with talented photographers to benefit ESLT's work to preserve Eastern Sierra lands. This year's Art for Conservation Show & Sale opens on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at the G2 Gallery in Venice Beach, California. The G2 Gallery …continue reading
As 2011 comes to a close, I can truly say this has been the most exciting year I have experienced at Eastern Sierra Land Trust. In just the past six months we have completed five conservation projects totaling over 1500 acres of treasured Eastern Sierra land preserved for perpetuity. From the expansion of migration corridors that will forever ensure safe passage for wildlife to the preservation of a family farm first homesteaded …continue reading
The first census of land trusts in five years found 10 million new acres conserved nationwide since 2005, an increase of 27%!! The National Land Trust Census, released by the Land Trust Alliance, shows that during the same time period, the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, a major federal conservation program, added just over 500,000 acres and saw a 38% funding cut. The census is available online at www.lta.org/census. A total …continue reading
ESLT members and partners save more critical habitat In an exciting new project, John and Ivie Wilson, longtime landowners in Swall Meadows, have just sold 60 acres of critical deer habitat to Eastern Sierra Land Trust (ESLT) for permanent preservation. To ensure that wildlife have room to roam, ESLT works with farsighted landowners who want to permanently protect the critical habitats on their land. John Wilson is the great-grandson of …continue reading
In an exciting new project, John and Ivie Wilson, longtime landowners in Swall Meadows, have just sold 60 acres of critical deer habitat to Eastern Sierra Land Trust (ESLT) for permanent preservation. To ensure that wildlife have room to roam, ESLT works with farsighted landowners who want to permanently protect the critical habitats on their land. John Wilson is the great-grandson of Owens Valley pioneer Joseph Swall... Press Release [PDF]
602 acre Alfalfa Farm in Hammil Valley Preserved Eastern Sierra Land Trust's latest conservation project is a beautiful farm tucked under the towering White Mountains, north of Bishop. Richard Moss and his wife Barbara have preserved their organic alfalfa farm, known as Cinnamon Ranch, in the Hammil Valley. The Moss' purchased the ranch in 1970, making alfalfa hay the primary agricultural product from the ranch. These long-time landowners retain title and management …continue reading
As my AmeriCorps year comes to an end, I almost feel like I just started at ESLT! It's probably because the year has been a whirlwind of activity and exciting new experiences. My recent AmeriCorps graduation gave me an opportunity to reflect on my time here, and on the impact of the Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP) in general. The SNAP Program places 27 talented and creative young people at different environmental …continue reading
Eastern Sierra Land Trust's latest conservation project is a beautiful farm tucked under the towering White Mountains, north of Bishop. Richard Moss and his wife Barbara have preserved their organic alfalfa farm, known as Cinnamon Ranch, in the Hammil Valley. The Moss' purchased the ranch in 1970, making alfalfa hay the primary agricultural product from the ranch. These long-time landowners retain title and management of their property, while designating how their land …continue reading
This time of year, many of us are preparing to gather with friends and family to give thanks for the things in our life that deserve our gratitude. Here at ESLT, we wanted to take a moment to do that as well, and so last week we held a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. The evening was filled with good cheer, many thanks, and celebration of the time our volunteers have given. ESLT would …continue reading