Events & Experiences

Upcoming Events

ESIA will host the sixth annual Winter Adventure Series virtually from January through March 2021. Educating, motivating, and inspiring attendees to explore the Eastern Sierra. The Winter Adventure Series is supported by The Town of Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Lakes Recreation, and funding from Measure U. Registration for this event is FREE, however, please consider donating to ESIA to help support us in our mission to educate, inspire, and explore! Scroll down to see all of our amazing speakers!

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January 14, 2021 6:30 p.m.

Miranda Oakley– Miranda is an AMGA guide in Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra. In 2017 she traveled to Palestine, the land of her mother’s family, to learn about her roots and climb the limestone cliffs. She will share her story of navigating a military occupation with local climbers and how freedom of movement is a right not all climbers get to enjoy.

January 21, 2021, at 6:30 p.m.

Working Dogs of the Eastern Sierra By Jennifer Crittenden. Stories and photographs of the real dogs who work on the east side of the Sierra Nevada in California. These hard-working dogs work in snow and dust. They entertain and save us. They protect us and guard our livestock. They comfort us and find our loved ones. They live to work, and their loyalty and dedication inspire us.

Meet Rusty, the cattle dog with grit, who relishes his dangerous, thirsty work; King, the first avalanche rescue dog on Mammoth Mountain; Willow who has been winning agility championships for the past five years; Tinker, the yellow Lab puppy already in training as a guide dog for the blind; globe-trotting Buster who traveled for his job as a human remains detection dog; Smalls the Singer whose vocal talents keep his humans entertained; Whoopie who started the therapy dog program on the Eastside; Katie, the Great Pyrenees whose adventures took her far up and down US Highway 395; Tara who found a loving family when she retired after years as a police dog; and many more…

February 11, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. Beth Pratt and Eastern Sierra Wildlife Stewardship Team

Beth Pratt is a world-renowned conservationist. She currently is the Regional Executive Director of the California Regional Center of the National Wildlife Federation. She previously worked on sustainability and climate change programs for Xanterra Parks & Resorts in Yellowstone as its Director of Environmental Affairs. Prior to her role in Yellowstone, for nine years Beth served as the Vice President/CFO for the non-profit Yosemite Association (now Yosemite Conservancy) in Yosemite National Park.

We are also joined by the Eastern Sierra Wildlife Stewardship Team, a collective of individuals representing the CA Dept of Fish & Wildlife, the Calfornia Department of Transportation (District 9), the Eastern Sierra Land Trust, and the Mono County Board of Supervisors.

This amazing group of speakers will start with a 30-40 minute presentation by Beth Pratt on her work and wildlife crossing projects in California. Next, the Eastern Sierra Wildlife Stewardship Team will discuss the 395 Wildlife Crossing project and fundraising needs. Our presentation will be followed by a Q&A segment where audience members have the opportunity to ask questions on the project, or of Beth Pratt and her work.

February 18, 2021, at 6:30 p.m.

Legacy  (film). 150 years ago, Chinese Railroad Workers blasted and chiseled their way through the rugged Sierra Nevada Mountains while completing the Transcontinental Railroad. Despite this monumental achievement, the Chinese Railroad Workers’ contribution was excluded, ignored and forgotten from history. Today, grassroots groups are working together to retell the story of these workers’ lasting legacy.

February 25, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps, Agnes Vianzon

Agnes Vianzon is the Founder and Executive Director of Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps.  ESCC is a development and leadership program committed to building a more inclusive community whose mission is to provide opportunities for young adults from priority populations to experience transformational and immersive outdoor experiences.
ESCC’s members break boundaries, learn about themselves and others, and form a deep appreciation of ancestral lands through 8-day introductory trips, an 8-week trail crew season, or 16 weeks as a member of our wilderness leadership training program.
Learn about the story of ESCC, more about all our programs, and how we are increasing the representation of those who visit, steward, and work for public land agencies.

March 4, 2021 6:30 p.m.

Jasper Gibson- Jasper is a name to watch in the world of outdoor photography. Jasper is a born and raised Idahoan, growing up in Sandpoint, Idaho. At a young age, he has worked with major US companies such as The North Face, Mountain Hardwear, Marmot, and Smartwool and has been published in Outdoor Magazine, National Geographic Extreme Photo of the Week, and on Redbull.com. Aside from his commercial style work he has been the photographer on multiple expeditions around the world. From documenting a team of paleontologists uncovering new dinosaur species in Mongolia to skiing first descents in remote British Columbia on a sea-kayak-supported-ski-trip down the Stikine River, Jasper is highly skilled at capturing unique, authentic images that put the viewer into the world being captured.

Jasper will be guiding us through adventures in his homeland of northern Idaho as well as a ski mission in northern British Columbia.

March 11, 2021, 6:30 p.m. 

Rick Saez– Rick is a California-based international travel, landscape, and adventure photographer and Podcaster. He’s led expeditions and photo trips to Alaska, Nepal, Mexico, Africa and has photographed in 25 different countries on six different continents. Rick has been published in magazines such as Austrian Ocean 7 magazine, Runner’s World, Alameda magazine and more. He also publishes The Outdoor Biz Podcast where you can hear inspiring conversations with Outdoor Insiders every Tuesday. For more information on Rick click here.