Sustainable Recreation
The Mono County Sustainable Outdoors and Recreation (MCSOAR) program, housed under Public Works, collaborates with partner agencies to manage and conserve public lands and recreation sites within Mono County.
Our goals at MCSOAR are to support our local communities and landscapes by enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities, facilitating recreation access, and promoting responsible use within our magnificent home in the Eastern Sierra. But what do we really DO?
- Open & maintain trails and OHV routes
- Maintain and improve recreation sites
- Perform restoration on recreation sites impacted by high use
- Develop campaigns and interpretive material to educate the public on sustainable use and to encourage compliance with protective regulations
- Support visitor services through printed media and at local visitor centers
- Assess use trends, impacts and needs to inform land management and economic development strategy
- Promote responsible and sustainable growth of recreational tourism through new trail and infrastructure projects and projects that support other recreation activities such as mountain biking, fishing, camping, etc.
- Engage with our communities and Board of Supervisors to ensure projects are community driven and supported
- ....and more! Have an idea of how we can help, or want to know more? Just reach out!
What is Sustainable Recreation?
Sustainable Recreation is providing recreation opportunity in a way that is environmentally conscious and in ways that aim to preserve recreation opportunities for future generations. Sustainable Recreation is seen through sustainable recreation design for infrastructure, facilities, and trails. Choosing natural materials that will withstand the harsh Eastern Sierra elements, high visitor use, and will be around for years to come. Sustainable Recreation is also seen socially through teaching the public about outdoor ethics. Campaigns that emphasize sustainable recreation range from local campaigns like Camp Like a Pro to nation-wide campaigns such as Leave No Trace or Tread Lightly.
Sustainable Recreation: A Region-wide Partnership
For a sustainable recreation program to be successful it should approach recreation management with a region-wide, interagency approach focused on sustainability. Mono County works cooperatively with public land managers throughout the region to protect resources and provide sustainable recreation opportunities for residents and visitors of the Eastern Sierra. Our partners include:
- United States Forest Service (USFS)
- Inyo NF
- Humboldt-Toiyabe NF
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
- Bishop Field Office
- Town of Mammoth Lakes (ToML)
- CA State Parks
- Yosemite National Park
- CA Department of Fish & Wildlife
- City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)
- Non-profits and community organizations such as
- Whitebark Institute
- Mammoth Lakes Recreation
- Mono Lake Committee
- DeChambeau Foundation
- Bodie Foundation
- Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access Foundation
- June Lake Trails Committee
- local Chambers of Commerce
- and more!
Supplementing our partnerships, Mono County participates in the Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership (ESSRP), which is a unique “public/public” partnership between local and federal government agencies acting as a regional voice emerging as a leader for sustainable outdoor recreation in California.
