The Mono Basin is one of the most intensively studied natural areas in California. Research includes early surveys by Joseph Grinnell in 1915, the pioneering birding/conservation work of David Gaines and David Winkler in the late 1970s, and continues today with biologists from Point Reyes Bird Observatory. Deep personal concern for the plight of birds sparked a legal struggle that resulted in the California Supreme Court’s 1983 Public Trust decision, which reaffirmed the state’s duty to balance the public trust with water allocations and thereby protect the people’s common heritage resources. Guided by this new direction, the State Water Resources Control Board finally modified the water diversion licenses of the City of Los Angeles in 1994. The decision is still in effect today, and science played a critical role in shaping the outcome.
This
year marks the 22nd Anniversary of California Gull research at Mono Lake.
Our understanding of these birds—and the roughly 100 other species that
depend on Mono Lake—has grown from the first ecological study of Mono Lake
initiated in 1976. Because of the Mono Basin’s rich bird life, dramatic
natural setting, scientific importance, and historical significance, it is
an ideal location for a bird Chautauqua.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|