Wednesday evening, the ESLT garden hosted the business community for a Bishop Chamber Mixer. The blossoming garden was a great setting to meet some new and old friends. With the 3rd-graders' sunflowers towering above, this mix of for-profit and nonprofit business representatives learned a bit about what ESLT is and how business is an integral part of a conservation easement. There are lots of opportunities to work together for the …continue reading
ESLT celebrated youth in the garden this past week with a Sunflower Party for local third grade classes that participated in ESLT's Sunflower Project, which is in its second year. The program consists of educating youth about planting, the life cycle, and offering children the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the garden. ESLT worked with two classes from Elm Street Elementary School: Sara Steck and Victoria Hamilton's third grade classes. Every …continue reading
We've got lots of inspiration around us as the wild inhabitants of our east-side world move up to the high country for breeding and birthing. I listened to a beautiful Western Tanager in a willow thicket this morning, singing his heart out to declare his territory and find the perfect mate. The picture below, captured by my husband, Stephen Ingram, is of one of our current land conservation projects. I wish you …continue reading
The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. A public comment period is now open... Press Release [PDF]
A serendipitous coincidence found three generations of AmeriCorps members at the ESLT office when Do Lee, SNAP Program Director, came to visit with current AmeriCorps member Sarah Spano. We celebrated with a BBQ in the garden, and shared stories about past AmeriCorps training (like the Rock Paper Scissor Tournament where Sarah made it to the final challenge), and heard about future plans (Katie, 2008 AmeriCorps member, is off to graduate …continue reading
Supporters braved the elements this past weekend to celebrate ESLT's community at Benton Hot Springs Ranch. The wind was howling and snow fell, but all in attendance banded together and enjoyed the opportunity to spent time with one another on a beautiful piece of preserved land. Participants enjoyed a wide range of activities. On Saturday afternoon, around 40 people headed down through the canyon trail on the conservation easement to view birds, …continue reading
This Spring weather in the Eastern Sierra is proving to be as unpredictable as ever. After a gorgeous 85 degree, sunny day yesterday we have 20 mile per hour winds blowing through the area today. Regardless of the breezy conditions, plans are full swing here at ESLT for a fabulous celebration tomorrow! We look forward to seeing our members and supporters at Benton Hot Springs Ranch to celebrate the achievements your support …continue reading
I hope you all are planning to come to our members celebration at Benton Hot Springs the weekend of May 22-23! One of the great activities we will be hosting is a bike ride in the Adobe Valley on Sunday morning. This remote stretch of HWY 120 connects Benton and HWY 395 just south of Lee Vining. Check the route out online in Google maps/earth We are planning to meet …continue reading
DeChambeau Creek, which runs through the conservation easement and is where the name comes from, drains into Mono Lake Mono County landowner, Jan Simis, has permanently preserved her 135 acres for future generations. Her land, which sits at the very western edge of the Mono Basin, has now been preserved with a conservation easement, a voluntary binding land protection agreement between the landowner and Eastern Sierra Land Trust (ESLT). Jan …continue reading
Local Mono County landowner, Jan Simis, has permanently preserved her 135 acres for future generations. Press Release