The Mono Lake Foundation

Programs: In 2014, the mono lake foundation (also known as the mono lake committee) continued to successfully pursue its mission of protecting and restoring the mono basin ecosystem, educating the public about mono lake and the impacts on the environment of excessive water use, and promoting cooperative solutions that protect mono lake and meet real water needs without transferring environmental problems to other areas. Since 1978 the foundation has been inspired by our love for this beautiful place. Our vision over 36 years and shared among our 16,000 members is of a healthy, protected, and wild mono basin and of an organization that seeks positive, principled, proactive solutions to problems. Today, to make sure the right thing happens for mono lake, the foundation works in diverse arenas including public policy, ecological restoration, public education, water conservation, scientific research, and hands-on stewardship. The foundation's landmark success-saving mono lake from destruction due to the excessive diversion of water to los angeles-is internationally known. We revitalized california's public trust doctrine through a precedent-setting state supreme court decision, launched programs to meet los angeles' real water needs through water conservation and reclamation, and achieved an extraordinary revision of water rights in the mono basin that assures mono lake will thrive. Protection & restoration:mono lake protection and restoration programs revolve around 1) the continuing need to assure mono lake's protection for the long-term and 2) the need to restore ecological resources damaged by historically excessive water diversions. Working closely with state, federal, and regional groups, the foundation seeks to maintain a balance between a healthy ecosystem and a sustainable economy. The foundation's statewide water policy work focuses on using the lessons learned at mono lake as a tool to advocate for conservation, reclamation, and wise water use. Mono basin policy work involves extensive contact with local, state, and federal management agencies to assure that all actions and plans influencing mono lake, its tributary streams, and surrounding lands reflect sound resource management objectives. The foundation also maintains an active presence in los angeles, reflecting the long-term intertwined relationship between the city and mono lake. Foundation staff maintain a network of relationships with los angeles leaders and are in daily contact with los angeles department of water & power staff to assure that management actions in the mono basin are consistent with established orders and produce the best results possible. Science:in 2014, the foundation's mono basin field station had its ninth successful season supporting scientific research in the mono basin by providing housing and basic resources for scientists. The information gathered at the field station is instrumental in understanding mono lake's resources and in shaping the foundation's policies in the future. Education:the foundation seeks to share mono lake with diverse public groups. Education programs include seasonal interpretive walks and canoe tours on mono lake and its tributary streams, environmental education for school groups, weekend field seminars, a public information center with exhibits and a film, slideshows and talks given around california, and the outdoor experiences program which brings los angeles youth to the source of their water. These programs, which reach thousands of people annually, emphasize personal environmental responsibility through understanding the balance between mono lake's unique ecosystem and humans' need for water. Foundation communications provide valuable educational information. The quarterly mono lake newsletter contains detailed information about public policy, natural history, and other items relevant to mono lake and is mailed to the foundation's 16,000 members, made available to visitors to the foundation-run information center & bookstore, and made available at other distribution sites. Continuing communications projects include maintaining and expanding the mono lake website, monolake. Org. The foundation also maintains a second website, monobasinresearch. Org, which serves as a clearinghouse for scientific research, environmental studies, and historical documents.