Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation

05/21/2026

Whether you are headed to Diaz Lake in Lone Pine, the high alpine waters of Rock Creek, or the legendary Crowley Lake, new watercraft laws are now in effect across the Eastern Sierra.

Invasive Golden Mussels are a severe threat to our region. To protect our pristine waters, we have new requirements for all boaters:

📍 FOR TRAILERED BOATS (Mandatory):
If you are towing a fishing boat, ski boat, deck boat, or pontoon, you MUST stop at an official Watercraft Inspection & Decontamination (WID) station in Bishop or Bridgeport before you head to the ramp.
🎫 NEW LAW: A valid Eastern Sierra Mussel Sticker must be displayed on your trailered vessel before launch.

📍 FOR ALL OTHER CRAFT (Kayaks, SUPs, Float Tubes):
While hand-launched craft do not require a formal WID station stop, you are still legally required to ensure your gear is Clean, Drained, and Dry 🧼💨 before entering any waterway.
📍 WATERS COVERED:

These laws are strictly enforced for ALL Inyo and Mono County waterways, including:
🔹 Diaz Lake & Klondike
🔹 South Lake & Lake Sabrina
🔹 Rock Creek Lake & Convict Lake
🔹 Mammoth Lakes Basin (Twin, Mary, George, Mamie)
🔹 Crowley Lake, Grant Lake & June Lake Loop
🔹 Bridgeport Reservoir ...and everywhere in between!

⚠️ THE STAKES: Launching a trailered boat without an inspection can result in heavy fines or boat impoundment. Protect the places we love—inspect before you connect! 🌲✨

04/23/2026

The countdown to the regular season opener on April 25 is ON! As you prep your gear, there is a new "must-do" on every Fishmas checklist to keep the invasive Golden Mussel out of our backyard.

Don’t let a citation ruin your Opening Day:

PLAN AHEAD: Expect a stop at a Watercraft Inspection &
Decontamination station before heading to the lake.
Check https://na2.hubs.ly/H052lSS0 for WID locations and details.

NO STICKER, NO LAUNCH: Mandatory inspections are now LAW across Inyo and Mono County waters.

CLEAN. DRAIN. DRY. INSPECT: Make sure your boat and gear are 100%
dry before you arrive.

Don't risk your boat or your season! Let’s keep our waters pristine for
generations to come.

12/09/2025

Generations of growth can be destroyed by a single spark. 🔥

Driving or parking on vegetation might seem harmless, but it can devastate the landscape. 🚗 And it’s not just tailpipes. Dragging chains, worn brakes, or even a loose trailer hitch can all spark a wildfire.

Sagebrush ignites easily and recovers slowly. Its oily leaves are fuel for wildfire, and a hot tailpipe could set it off. After a fire, sagebrush can take 20 to 50 years to recover – or may never return.

When sagebrush communities burn, invasive grasses can take over, creating a vicious cycle. These grasses are extremely flammable- they dry out early in the season, burn more frequently, and grow rapidly. This can push slow-growing sagebrush out for good. ⚠️

Love these sage communities? Treat them with care.
🚙 Park on pavement or dirt
⛓️ Secure trailer chains and gear
🌿 Avoid driving over vegetation
Ignite Respect, Not Wildfires.

Visit http://www.whitebarkinstitute.org/igniteawareness to learn more!

Funding for this project provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Prevention Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program

10/29/2025

Wildfires threaten more than homes.
They often destroy important wildlife habitats. In the Eastern Sierra, sagebrush and forest ecosystems provide shelter and food for countless species. When wildfires spread unchecked, these habitats can be lost, impacting local wildlife.

🌿 What’s at Risk in High-Severity Wildfires?
Sagebrush ecosystems, which are not adapted to frequent, high-severity fires, face a serious threat. These landscapes are slow to recover and easily overtaken by invasive grasses that burn more frequently, preventing native species like the Bi-State Sage Grouse from returning.
Forested ecosystems also suffer long-term impacts. High-severity fire can remove canopy cover, disrupt migration corridors, and eliminate food sources for species like bears, pine marten, and bald eagles. These areas may take centuries to recover, if they return at all.
Reducing wildfire risk helps sustain the ecosystems that wildlife — and people — depend on.
Ignite Respect, Not Wildfires.

What can you do to prevent accidental ignitions? Learn more at www.whitebarkinstitute.org/igniteawareness

Funding for this project provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Prevention Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program

10/16/2025

The Eastern Sierra is more than a destination – it’s a home. 🌲
The open space and wild landscapes are an incredible backdrop for exploration, but they’re also home to communities, wildlife, and fragile ecosystems. One accidental ignition puts it all at risk.
When in the Eastern Sierra, treat it with care.

What can you do?
✅Opt out of a campfire and enjoy the stars.
✅ Check and respect fire restrictions before starting a fire or using a stove.
✅ Look for Red Flag Warnings
✅ Get a campfire permit if having a fire or using a stove or BBQ.
✅ Pack a fire extinguisher, shovel, and water when camping or off-roading.
✅ Ensure your campfire is cold before leaving. Drown, Stir, Repeat.
✅ Stay on Trails. Off-roading in dry vegetation can spark fires.
✅ Secure trailer chains to avoid creating sparks.
Ignite Respect, Not Wildfires.

Visit www.whitebarkinstitute.org/igniteawareness to learn more!

Funding for this project provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Prevention Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program

09/18/2025

In the Eastern Sierra, resilience begins with connection to the land, to one another, and to the places we call home (whether for a weekend or a lifetime).

Ignite Connection is a call to tune in to the community that surrounds us, the watersheds that sustain us, and to the forests and valleys that shape this place.

✨ Stay curious. Learn about local landscapes and the risks they face.
✨ Talk with your neighbors. Create defensible space together.
✨ Learn about and support fuels reduction work.
✨ Recognize that your actions in fire prevention ripple outward.

Ignite Connection, Not Wildfires.

Want to build fire adapted communities? Visit www.whitebarkinstitute.org/igniteawareness to learn more!

Funding for this project provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Prevention Program as part of the California Climate Investments Eastern Sierra Green Business Program

09/12/2025

🌲Your adventure should leave memories, not burn scars🔥.

The Eastern Sierra’s remoteness is part of its charm, but it also means slower wildfire response times, and often volunteers must step in to help.

Before your next adventure, keep these tips in mind:
✅ Check and respect fire restrictions before starting a fire or using a stove.
✅ Look for Red Flag Warnings
✅ Get a campfire permit if having a fire or using a stove or BBQ.
✅ Pack a fire extinguisher, shovel, and water when camping or off-roading.
✅ Ensure your campfire is cold before leaving. Drown, Stir, Repeat.
✅ Stay on Trails. Off-roading in dry vegetation can spark fires.
✅ Secure trailer chains to avoid creating sparks
Ignite Adventure, Not Wildfires.

Learn more about how you can prevent accidental ignitions at 👇https://na2.hubs.ly/H014Kw40

Funding for this project provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Prevention Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program

With human activity responsible for 80% of wildfires, every person has the power to make a difference. Learn how to recreate safely when it comes to fire.

08/08/2025

Whether you're a visitor or resident of the Eastern Sierra, we're all connected to this beautiful landscape. 🌲

The Sierra Nevada snowpack sustains not only local communities but also serves as California’s largest reservoir, providing water to 60% of the state. Our health and well-being are directly tied to the health of these watersheds and the forests they support.

That’s why reducing fire risk here is crucial — not only for the local ecosystems and communities but for everyone downstream.

What can you do to prevent wildfire?

✅Opt out of a campfire and enjoy the stars.
✅ Check and respect fire restrictions before starting a fire or using a stove.
✅ Look for Red Flag Warnings.
✅ Get a campfire permit if having a fire or using a stove or BBQ.
✅ Pack a fire extinguisher, shovel, and water when camping or off-roading.
✅ Ensure your campfire is cold before leaving. Drown, Stir, Repeat.
✅ Stay on Trails. Off-roading in dry vegetation can spark fires.
✅ Secure trailer chains to avoid creating sparks.

Ignite Connection, Not Wildfires.

Visit https://na2.hubs.ly/y0JDdz0 to learn more!

Funding for this project provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Prevention Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program

07/02/2025

As you enjoy the 4th of July weekend, we’re inviting everyone to Ignite Adventure, Not Wildfire. 🔥

Multiple fires have already ignited this year in the Eastern Sierra, and dry conditions leave these landscapes at risk. Winds can pick up at any time and transform a small flame or spark into a devastating wildfire.

This holiday weekend, consider these tips:

✅ Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect- which means campfires and charcoal briquettes are only permitted in designated campgrounds!
✅ Look for Red Flag Warnings (especially wind!), which indicate elevated fire risk.
✅ Get a campfire permit if you have a fire or are using a stove or BBQ.
✅ Pack a fire extinguisher, shovel, and water when camping or off-roading.
✅ Ensure your campfire is cold before leaving. Drown, Stir, Repeat.
✅ Stay on Trails. Off-roading in dry vegetation can spark fires.
✅ Secure trailer chains to avoid creating sparks.


Ignite Adventure, Not Wildfires.

Learn more about how you can prevent accidental ignitions at https://hubs.ly/Q03vFlYn0
Funding for this project provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Prevention Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program

06/20/2025

Your adventure should leave memories, not burn scars. A single spark can destroy the places we love.

The Eastern Sierra feels remote, a part of why we cherish it. But that remoteness also means slower response times when wildfires start, often relying on volunteers to step in and fight the flames.

Before you get ready for your next adventure, consider these tips:

✅ Respect fire restrictions- we're currently in Stage 1, which means campfires and charcoal briquettes are only permitted in designated campsites
✅ Look for Red Flag Warnings
✅ Get a campfire permit if having a fire or using a stove or BBQ.
✅ Pack a fire extinguisher, shovel, and water when camping or off-roading.
✅ Ensure your campfire is cold before leaving. Drown, Stir, Repeat.
✅ Stay on Trails. Off-roading in dry vegetation can spark fires.
✅ Secure trailer chains to avoid creating sparks.

Ignite Adventure, Not Wildfires.
👇Learn more about how you can prevent accidental ignitions at 👇https://hubs.ly/Q03t1VHJ0

Funding for this project provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Prevention Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program