From the mailbag

News from members and friends

by Leslie Redman

With winter in the rearview, the Mono Basin has sprung back to life. Be it the annual return of seasonal visitors—tourists and travelers, migrating birds and wildlife—or the long-awaited revival of lagoons and dormant species, this summer at Mono Lake is turning out to be as extraordinary as the winter that preceded it. Those who treasure Mono Lake know that making the trek out to this special place, home to a thriving ecosystem of algae, alkali flies, brine shrimp, birds, and more, can be a surreal experience during a “normal” year. But this summer has given us the opportunity to experience an abundance of life rarely seen in the Mono Basin.

Thanks to all who donated in honor or in memory of friends and loved ones. Your support is what makes our work possible.

In honor

Jayne DeLawter of Santa Rosa donated in honor of Penny Docker Heidi Hopkins of Big Sur contributed in honor of retired Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve ranger and Andrea Lawrence Award recipient Dave Marquart Margaret Lohfeld of Los Angeles donated in honor of Martin Engel Patricia Trudeau of Albany, NY gave a gift in honor of Marina Lindsay.

The 8th Judicial Probation Department of Fort Collins, CO gave a gift in honor of Teri Tracy, who joins our seasonal staff this summer as an Information Center & Bookstore Assistant. Peter Vorster of Oakland contributed in honor of the Mono Lake Committee staff for surviving the winter of 2022–2023.

In memory

Allan Brown of Portola Valley donated in memory of Marilyn Brown. Dorothy Dechant of San Pablo, Dr. Laszlo Fodor of Stockton, Annie Harvey of San Mateo, and Amy Skryja of Alamo gave gifts in memory of Dr. Raymond Skryja Maria Francaviglia of Santa Clarita contributed in memory of Decimo & Rose Francaviglia, who loved bringing their family to visit Mono Lake. Randy Frank of San Anselmo donated in memory of Gay Palmer

Frank Chris Huson of Mill Valley gave a gift in memory of Ellen Cosin Vickie LaBraque of Bishop contributed in memory of Robert Jerome LaBraque.

Melvin & Frances Leo of Upland donated in memory of Dr. Gregory

Leo Tom Love of Oakland gave a gift in memory of Rebecca Love

Gerondale. Christine Lozoski of Big Pine and Jane Askin Wright of Bishop contributed in memory of Bil Askin

Bob Mandel of Alameda donated in memory of Tanya & Bill Mandel

Carol Mathews of Walnut Creek gave a gift in memory of Robert Mathews

Yvonne McHugh of Richmond contributed in memory of Yvonne

S. Higgs McHugh. Sister Mary Miller of Lucerne Valley donated in memory of Ralph Waldo Miller

Tom Parrington of Sonora gave a gift in memory of John Petter Mark Perry of Bakersfield contributed in memory of Elinore Patterson. Phillip

Roullard of San Diego donated in memory of Edith Gail Roullard Ben & Val Smith of Vacaville gave a gift in memory of Jerri Smith, an avid hiker of the Sierra. Katherine Stanford of Medford, OR contributed in memory of Ray Stanford Ray Sundberg of Guerneville donated in memory of Elaine Sundberg Stephen Tillinghast of Arcata gave a gift in memory of Mary Tillinghast. Elaine White of Bakersfield contributed in memory of Mono Lake Committee co-founder David Gaines Jeff Wilson and Anne Scheer of Port Costa donated in memory of Dave Steidel 

Leslie Redman is the Committee’s Membership Coordinator. Local trails are melting out and Leslie can’t wait to get back into the high country.