Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Seminar spotlight: Mono Basin Natural History

Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Join us for the Mono Basin Natural History: Aquatic & Terrestrial Habitats field seminar, offered for the first time this year! In addition to two days of exploration on land, this seminar also includes a half-day guided kayaking trip on Mono Lake, which offers the best look at this unique aquatic environment.

Mono Basin Natural History • July 10–12 • $245 per person/$230 for members • sign up here

Caption caption caption. Photo by Elin Ljung.
The Mono Basin Natural History field seminar will bring to life the fascinating, varied habitats and animals of this unique ecosystem, from brine shrimp and phalaropes at Mono Lake to pikas and whitebark pines near the Sierra crest. Photo by Elin Ljung.

The Mono Basin is one of the most diverse ecosystems on the continent, and this field seminar will cover the rich diversity of mammals, butterflies, birds, wildflowers, trees, and other plants. Since this ecosystem lies on the edge of the Sierra Nevada range and the Great Basin desert, it encompasses a multitude of habitats, from Mono Lake itself to young volcanic domes, to glacial canyons and subalpine meadows at tree line.

This seminar includes a half-day kayaking trip---the best way to see Mono Lake. Photo by Elin Ljung.
This seminar includes a half-day kayaking trip—by far the best way to see Mono Lake up close. Photo by Elin Ljung.

One of the best ways to get an appreciation for Mono Lake’s drama and productivity is to explore it by boat; a kayaking exploration of Mono’s south shore is included in this class. Mono Lake’s simple, yet incredibly productive food chain will come to life as plumes of brine shrimp swim bloom under the boats, alkali flies skate along the surface of the water, and thousands of birds send their calls into the air. The tufa formations are just one geologic aspect of a wondrous basin that includes both the oldest lake on the continent and its youngest mountain range.

Caption caption Photo by Elin Ljung.
Join seasoned naturalist and interpreter David Wimpfheimer (center) for a wonderful natural history weekend in the Mono Basin. Photo by Elin Ljung.

Instructor David Wimpfheimer has been educating people about birds and the natural history of California for over 25 years. His connection with and love for Mono Lake started with educational work for the Mono Lake Committee in 1983 and continued as he rode in eleven Mono Lake Bike‐A‐Thons. People return again and again to take part in David’s relaxed and comfortable seminars that contain a huge amount of fascinating information about the natural world.

Mono Basin Natural History • July 10–12 • $245 per person/$230 for members • sign up here

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