20th Anniversary celebrated by all
by Kay Ogden
Twenty years. Twenty years of commitment, dedication, perseverance, and hard work. Most of us know the story of how a handful of students saw the magic of Mono Lake and couldn't walk away from the threats to its future. And now, we've achieved a level of protection for the lake, which is nine feet
higher than in 1978 when the Mono Lake
Committee was formed. What a wonderful reason for a
celebration!
So this year's Restoration Days took on special significance as we celebrated the MLC's 20th Anniversary.
The four-day weekend was full of things to do, and all events were well attended even with the inclement weather. Very special thanks go to Nancy Lampson and Sharon Dillon of Lee Vining High School for allowing us to move our Friday evening kickoff "Music in the Park" to the school gym. Even though the rain moved us inside, it didn't dampen the enthusiasm! People brought picnics and danced, chatted with old friends, and bought goodies being sold by the Lee Vining sixth grade class.
From then on the weekend was full speed ahead with workshops, hikes, tours, and get-togethers.
While the Saturday tradition of the Rehydration Ceremony and Annual Meeting remained, both have taken on new meanings in recent years. At this year's Rehydration Ceremony, our pilgrimage from the parking area to the shore took only a few minutes, and we stood with water at our ankles where only dust had been in the past. Many of those who attended shared personal stories of what had brought them to the lake, and how things have changed over the years.
Former Committee Executive Director Martha
Davis emotionally spoke of once again seeing phalaropes
at the Rehydration Ceremony. Helen and Paul Green
recounted their many trips to Mono's shore, and shared
how this year was a celebration for them, too. Rich Howe
was mentioned because, although he could not stay for
Restoration Days, he had ridden his bike from Mojave to
the lake, a reminder of past Bike-A-Thons from Los
Angeles to Mono Lake.
State Ranger David Carle recalled his forecast at last year's ceremony as to where this year's shoreline would be and he helped us mark a spot where we thought the water would be next year. The shoreline has changed so much that it was harder than you might think to find our prediction spots from last year. We all tried to get better bearings for our 1999 predictions!
Afterward, the group made its way to County Park for the Annual Meeting and the 20th Anniversary Celebration. We heard stories from current Committee staff members, past interns, scientists, Board Members, staff, Bike-A-Thoners, researchers, and friends. We also shared laughter, and shed some tears for those who were not with us for the celebration, especially David Gaines.
The Mono Lake Committee's goals for Restoration Days were not only to celebrate, but also to help people understand more about this remarkable place we all care so deeply about. With this in mind, here are a few stories from people who participated in the weekend.
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"To Fran and The Mono Lake Staff, What a magical weekend celebrating our 20th Anniversary of SAVE MONO LAKE with you all-- It was a joy and an inspiration to spend this many days with you dedicated and hard working people. We had a great time getting to know you and learned soooo much about your special place. (We thought we knew it!)
Thank you for a memorable time in our elder years. We vividly remember coming to a hearing at Lee Vining High School one winter day for Mono Lake after dropping our girls at June Lake for ski lessons, many years ago."
Virginia and Bill Hilber of Redondo Beach
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"We loved wading through Rush and Lee Vining creeks, thigh-high at times, counting willows (some of which we had helped to plant in previous years), learning about what works and what doesn't work in stream restoration. It was great to see that the creek channels have a definite plan of their own if given enough stream flow. How much fun it would be to take the same walk every month and watch the progress. Searching for pines and cottonwood higher up the banks was like a very special "Easter egg" hunt. We gloried in the ones that made it, mourned the dried twigs that succumbed. We can't wait for next year. The Restoration Days are the high point in our trip to the Mono Basin. Thanks for organizing them.
Restoration Days were a spirit revival experience! 'Channeling' became a real life event, not just for the creeks. We really can make a difference if we try."
Helen and Paul Green of Berkeley
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Several Lee Vining businesses get a special "Thanks!" for giving discounts over the weekend-- Best Western Lakeview Lodge, Nicely's, and the Tioga Lodge. Also, Bill and Serena Banta donated the use of their moveable fire ring for our campfire and s'mores at South Tufa on Sunday night.
The date for this year's Restoration Days is Labor Day Weekend, September 3 through 6.
Kay Ogden is the Committee's Marketing Director. She's trying her hand at Italian cooking this winter.
Return to Winter 1999 Newsletter
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