Work Completed, Successes, and Looking Ahead
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re excited to share updates on the progress made in Reds Meadow Valley as part of the Eastern Sierra Climate & Communities Resilience Project (ESCCRP). This year’s work has been a testament to the collaboration between Inyo National Forest, Whitebark Institute, and our dedicated partners.
Work Completed
From June through October, crews worked hard to restore forest health and reduce wildfire risks across approximately 923 of the planned 961-acre project area. Key activities included:
- Thinning trees smaller than 30” DBH, with a focus on removing dead, diseased, and low-value trees.
- Strategic piling of woody material for future burning.
- Meadow restoration work to clear encroaching vegetation.
Successes
This year’s efforts have already yielded measurable benefits, including:
- 67 acres of meadow habitat enhanced through the removal of encroaching conifers and 856 acres of forest treated by ecological thinning.
- Improved resilience to wildfire in the Reds Meadow Valley and Mammoth Lakes.
- Collaboration with the Bishop Paiute Tribe and Sierra Institute to support the development of a skilled crew that is working on conifer removal in meadows.
Looking Ahead
In 2025, we’ll continue working on the remaining 36 acres. This includes:
- Additional thinning and meadow restoration treatments.
- Pile burning by Inyo National Forest during winter months.
- Monitoring and evaluating the impacts of this year’s work to inform future restoration strategies.
We extend our gratitude to our funding partners, including the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, Inyo National Forest, Bishop Paiute Tribe, North Fork Mono Tribe, and Reds Meadow Resort for making this essential work possible. Stay tuned for updates as we build on this year’s progress to create a more resilient and vibrant Reds Meadow Valley.
