NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2026
Happy New Year! As we begin the new year, we want to start with gratitude. Your continued support has made it possible for Sierra Forever to support our Federal land management agency partners (Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Fish and Wildlife Service) during a year that asked a great deal of our public lands and our communities. Because of you, education, stewardship, and meaningful connections to place continue to thrive, even in the face of challenges.
Looking ahead, we are inspired by what the coming year holds. We’re excited to work with Friends of the Inyo to bring the Backcountry Film Festival to Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge on January 31, 2026, for an evening of powerful films celebrating wild places and the people who care for them. We are also preparing for another season of Eastern Sierra SnowSchool, where our local 5th graders get to experience winter ecology firsthand and learn how snow shapes the landscape and water around us.
While the year ahead will still have its challenges, we move into 2026 with hope, determination, and a deep sense of responsibility. Your support makes this work possible, and we are grateful to have you alongside us as we look toward the year ahead.
Sincerely,
Jeff Gabriel
Executive Director
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Your support will allow us to continue offering education programs, stewardship events and keep the visitor centers open.
Backcountry Film Festival Comes to Mammoth Mountain Jan 31!
Join us at Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge on January 31 for an evening of exciting films celebrating human powered adventure in the winter! We’ve got great raffle prizes, popcorn and cookies, a cash bar and more. Plus all proceeds are a fundraiser for Eastern Sierra Snowschool. Buy tickets and learn more:
Interpretive Snowshoe Hikes
With the new snow, the snowshoe trails are in great shape. Our FREE guided snowshoe hikes start January 3 and will run most Saturdays in January and February, conditions dependent. Meet at Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center at 11am for a 1.75 mile snowshoe through the Jeffrey pine forest of New Shady Rest Campground. Snowshoes are provided.
Wildlife Tracking Workshops
We have two new dates for the always popular Wildlife Tracking Workshops with professional wildlife tracker and mountain lion researcher Phil Johnston – February 21 and March 21. Workshops will take place in the Bishop/Big Pine area, exact location will be emailed to participants. Registration required, visit the event page to sign up.
Snowschool Volunteers Needed
Are you interested in helping get our local 5th graders out for a fun filled day of learning about winter ecology and our local watershed, plus play lots of fun snow games? We are looking for folks who are interested in being group leaders for SnowSchool, dates are March 3 & 6 and March 11-13. No experience is needed, training and curriculum is provided, all you need is a love of playing in the snow and sharing that with our local kids!
CalNaturalist in the Eastern Sierra
We are thrilled to announce that we are partnering with Eastern Sierra Land Trust (ESLT) to bring the California Naturalist Course to the Eastern Sierra this fall! Course will begin September 2, with weekly online classes and in person field trips. Early registration price of $450 available now through June 25. Visit our website for more information.
Interpreter’s Corner – Life Under the Snow
When winter snows blanket the mountains, the animals have to adapt to survive. For some animals, like mice and voles, that means seeking shelter underneath the snow, living in what we call the “subnivean zone.” Check out our latest blog for more information on what goes on underneath the snow.
Contact Us
760-872-1220
[email protected]
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