How to Give Back to Mammoth Lakes Through Volunteer Work
Jul 13, 2021
Getting out on the trail or on the water is made infinitely better when the areas you’re recreating in are clean and maintained for others to enjoy. Of course, you can do your part on your own to make sure you are enjoying the trails and the lakes sustainably. But keeping Mammoth Lakes and the surrounding Eastern Sierra beautiful sometimes requires a group effort.
Next time you’re in town, consider setting aside some time to give back to the lands you love and recreate on by joining one of these organizations for a stewardship event.
NOTE: Many group stewardship events have been postponed due to COVID-19, however, some organizations are coordinating virtual stewardship events.
Care for Mammoth Lakes
MLTS Trail Days
Sponsored by Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access Foundation (MLTPA), Mammoth Lakes Recreation (MLR) and the Town of Mammoth Lakes (TOML), Trail Days happen throughout the summer and are a way for anyone who cares about Mammoth Lakes to join in on restoration, clean-up and improvement projects.
Mammoth Lakes Town Clean Up
The TOML hosts an annual clean up day in spring or early summer to clean up debris and trash from town paths, streets and parks after the snow has melted.
POOch Patrol
MLR partners with Sierra Dog Ventures, a local dog adventure camp, for POOch Patrol events to clean up and properly dispose of pet waste in Mammoth Lakes.
Adopt a Trail
Businesses and groups can work with MLR to adopt a trail in Mammoth Lakes by pledging volunteer hours to maintain the adopted trail.
Care for Mammoth Lakes + More of the Eastern Sierra
Friends of the Inyo Stewardship Days
Throughout the year, Friends of the Inyo hosts public stewardship days from Lone Pine to Bridgeport, including events in Mammoth Lakes. The organization also partners with groups and schools to host private stewardship events.
Immersive Backcountry Volunteer Projects
If you’re interested in making a bigger impact than you might be able to at a single-day event, consider joining one of Friends of the Inyo’s week-long backcountry projects, where you join a stewardship crew to tackle a larger project.
Care for Areas Just Outside of Mammoth Lakes
Alabama Hills Stewardship Group Volunteer Days
Help clean up and restore damaged sites in the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area in partnership with The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Alabama Hills Stewardship Group.
Mono Lake Committee Volunteer Projects
Held as needed for special projects, the Mono Lake Committee volunteer working days typically entail invasive species weed pulling, highway clean up and the Great Sierra River clean up.
Your first step toward more sustainable recreation can be as simple as reading and signing the Mammoth Lakes Promise to commit to keeping Mammoth Lakes beautiful.