Did you know that lands preserved by ESLT in partnership with private landowners have included what was once the highest elevation production orchard in the Country, the first farm established in Hammil Valley (also a railroad stop), and a portion of one of the earliest ranches in Big Meadows, which we now know as Bridgeport? Apple orchard in Swall Meadows Working in land conservation we spend a lot of time …continue reading
. . . preserved 224 acres of critical wildlife habitat. Naylon Conservation Easement (104 acres) and Wilson Conservation Project (60 acres) preserves critical habitat in the Round Valley mule deer migration corridor, ensuring safe passage for the mule deer during their bi-annual migration through Swall Meadows. Willow Flat Conservation Easement preserves 60 acres near the Sonora Junction, including a half mile stretch of the Little Walker River. The property provides the West …continue reading
Local Ranchers preserve additional Working Agricultural Lands in Bridgeport Valley 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. This important new …continue reading
For five years now, ESLT has maintained a successful and ever-growing relationship with the Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP). The SNAP program places twenty-seven AmeriCorps members at different conservation agencies and organizations throughout the Sierra Nevada to conduct watershed restoration and monitoring, watershed education, and volunteer recruitment and support. ESLT has had the opportunity to work with five talented young women, who have served the Eastern Sierra community through educational …continue reading
Although our April weather may be hard to predict (a foot of new snow at my house this morning!), wildlife still knows it is spring and are on the move! We are excited about our upcoming field trip to beautiful Black Lake, which is a stopover and destination on the great Pacific Flyway, for many species of birds. On a recent chilly and short trip to Black Lake, thanks to our Eastern …continue reading
Hot of the press - ESLT Spring 2010 Newsletter. Read it here >> The ESLT Garden Makes Community Connections What can a garden space offer? It offers a place for birds, wildlife and pollinators to feed and live. It offers a place for gardeners to grow delicious food. It offers an attractive place for community members to host meetings and gather. It offers a place of learning for local youth to discover …continue reading
This spring Eastern Sierra Land Trust is excited to announce a new program called Eastern Sierra Conservation Real Estate. We have been hard at work developing a new web page, networking with local real estate agents, and developing informational materials that go along with this program. Known as a 'Conservation Buyer' program, these types of collaborations are going on across the country helping land trusts achieve our goals of permanent land preservation …continue reading
For the past summer and fall, ESLT has been cultivating our new garden. We harvested a variety of beautiful tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers and other veggies. We saw birds feasting and bees happily buzzing. The garden provided a wonderful space for cultivating delicious fresh foods for us humans and nourishing birds, bees and butterflies. And now, despite the chill in the air and the arrival of winter, the garden still continues to …continue reading
1. We discovered an imperiled and beautiful butterfly on one of our preserved properties this summer, confirmed by local naturalist, Derham Giuliani. 2. Our first financial audit (voluntary) report card: No significant deficiencies, just a few procedural improvements recommended. ESLT has brought over $5 million into our communities in our organizational lifetime! 3. All our important records are now in a new fireproof file cabinet in a safe location offsite. 4. We're …continue reading
Your License to Protect the Places You Love. Submit your paid pledge for this special license plate and you will be protecting and restoring natural habitats, providing open space and improving recreation throughout the region. The sales of the Sierra Nevada License Plate will benefit the Sierra Nevada Conservancy which provides funding for conservation, habitat restoration, recreation, and other important and economically beneficial projects in the Sierra Nevada region, a unique and …continue reading