Mono Lake Volunteer Program

MONO LAKE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM STARTS MAY 21, 2008!

Meet visitors from all over the world and share your knowledge of the Eastern Sierra. Core volunteer jobs include roving at South Tufa or Panum Crater, staffing a bird watching station at the State Reserve boardwalk, and answering questions at the Forest Service Visitor Center. With additional training, volunteers may also lead tours and school groups at South Tufa and Panum Crater and give patio talks at the Scenic Area Visitor Center. Participants choose their jobs to suit their own interests, while also matching the needs of the agencies and organizations involved to benefit Mono Lake.

The Mono Basin Volunteer program, now in its 5th year, is a joint initiative sponsored by the US Forest Service, California State Parks (the Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve), and the Mono Lake Committee, with support also from the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association. Volunteers are an important part of these agencies’ work on behalf of Mono Lake.

Volunteer training consists of six half-day field sessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays, May 21 through June 5, focused on exploring visitor areas around the Mono Basin. There is no charge for the training, but participants agree to volunteer for at least 8 hours each month from June through September.

Core volunteer jobs include roving at South Tufa or Panum Crater, staffing a bird watching station at the State Reserve boardwalk, and answering questions at the Forest Service Visitor Center. With additional training, volunteers may also lead tours and school groups at South Tufa and Panum Crater and give patio talks at the Scenic Area Visitor Center. Participants choose their jobs to suit their own interests, while also matching the needs of the organizations involved.

Janet Carle, retired State Reserve Ranger, conducts the Mono Lake Volunteer training. She also organizes fun and informative volunteer training events and field trips throughout the year with Mono Basin experts. Janet’s expertise, knowledge, enthusiasm and dedication to the program are an important part of its success.

The Mono Lake Volunteer program has been extremely beneficial to Mono Lake—in 2007, volunteers contributed hundreds of hours of time—thank you volunteers!

If you are interested in the volunteer class for 2008 or would like more information please contact Erika at (760)647-6595 or .