ESLT: Lands and Legacy 2012

Exciting New Details for ESLT’s Lands and Legacy Weekend

(Bishop, California) –This summer Bill Walton will partner with Eastern Sierra Land Trust (ESLT) for a weekend of biking, hiking and a special gala dinner designed to showcase the dramatic Eastern Sierra landscape and connect ESLT supporters and members to this treasured land. The Lands & Legacy event on July 21st will feature a Fun Ride around the June Lake Loop, a rare opportunity to tour a current conservation project in Green Creek, and culminate with an evening celebration sponsored by Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, which will include a reception, dinner, silent auction, and entertaining program with Bill Walton and live music with The Flashbacks.

ESLT’s tallest member, NBA Hall of Famer and UCLA basketball great Bill Walton, will join other riders on Saturday, July 21, at 9am to pedal along one of the most scenic roadways in America - the 23 mile June Lake Loop. “This terrific event brings together all that is right in the world and life: the magnificent Eastern Sierra, health, sport, the team, riding our bikes with purpose and passion, and the chance to make a difference in all of our futures,” says Bill. The ride will include a gourmet “feed” station, a chair-lift ride to lunch at June Mountain Ski Area, a limited edition ESLT Fun Ride t-shirt, and many photo opportunities with Bill.

Those attending the Lands & Legacy gala dinner on Saturday night are invited to spend the day exploring one of the most beautiful and lesser known places in Mono County! ESLT is offering a tour of one of their current conservation projects in the Green Creek area. Participants will learn about land conservation efforts in the area and the unique human and natural history of the region. The tour will include walking along the creek that fed one of the first hydroelectric plants in the West, looking for wildlife in the lovely pond nearby, and traveling through meadows with stunning panoramic vistas.

On Friday afternoon, July 20, Bill Walton will hold a basketball clinic for invited high school players at Mammoth High School. The public is welcome to attend this free event to watch, starting at 2:00PM.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the mission of Eastern Sierra Land Trust to protect our treasured lands and preserve a healthy balance of uses — from ranching to biking, wildlife habitats to favorite fishing spots — that can be sustained forever, ensuring a strong local economy and healthy environment for future generations. The organization began eleven years ago when a small group of concerned citizens banded together to provide a resource for private landowners who wanted to permanently preserve their land. ESLT has helped preserve over 7800 acres of important lands to date and continues to grow with over 700 members and many dedicated volunteers.

“This is an opportunity to help preserve the beautiful wild and working lands of the Eastern Sierra while having fun,” says ESLT Executive Director Karen Ferrell-Ingram. "There’s something for everyone at this event and we really hope people will come out to meet Bill Walton and support ESLT’s mission.”

When: July 20-21, 2012
Where: June Lake/Mammoth, CA
Interested/Questions/Tickets: info@eslt.org or (760) 873-4554
Click here for the official ESLT website