Land Acknowledgment: Payahuunadu has been, and continues to be, the homeland of the Paiute (Nuumu), Shoshone (Newe), and Timbisha peoples. This land acknowledgment honors the original inhabitants of the Eastern Sierra and the tribes who remain here today.
Not all heroes wear capes—some wear approach shoes, carabiners, and Patagonia puffies held together by duct tape. While most visitors come to the Eastern Sierra to soak in the wild beauty, there’s a group of dedicated locals fighting every day to keep it that way. From stopping corporate land grabs to ensuring sprinter vans aren’t crushing the brush, these grassroots warriors are keeping the Sierra from getting steamrolled by industry, greed, and general human carelessness. Now more than ever we have to rely on these mighty folks as USFS and NPS continue to be impacted.
Here’s a rundown of the groups fighting to keep the Eastern Sierra wild.
Sierra Forever: Preserving Public Lands & History
Formerly known as the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association, Sierra Forever is dedicated to educating, protecting, and celebrating the Eastern Sierra’s public lands. They operate visitor centers, educational programs, and conservation initiatives that connect people to the region’s cultural and natural history.
Through partnerships with land agencies, Tribes, and local communities, they ensure that the stewardship of these landscapes is informed, intentional, and inclusive. Whether it’s preserving historic sites, restoring trails, or educating visitors, their work keeps the Sierra’s story alive—past, present, and future.
Follow 👉🏼 Sierra Forever
Friends Of The Inyo: Bulling the Bullies
If there’s a single group that has been fighting the good fight for decades, it’s Friends of the Inyo. These folks aren’t just writing strongly worded emails—they’re out on the ground, maintaining trails, restoring habitats, and making sure land agencies don’t cave to big-money interests.
They’ve been instrumental in blocking destructive mining projects (looking at you, Conglomerate Mesa proposals) and pushing for more protections in areas that need it. They lead free guided hikes, educational programs, and volunteer stewardship events, which means if you’ve ever hiked in the Sierra and thought, Wow, this place is pristine, you have them to thank.
Follow 👉🏼 Friends of Inyo
Bishop Area Climbers Coalition: Making Sure Climbers Don’t Accidentally Wreck The Place
The Bishop Buttermilks, Owens River Gorge, and Pine Creek aren’t just some of the best climbing spots in California—they’re some of the best in the world. But with great climbing comes great responsibility (or something like that).
That’s where the Bishop Area Climbers Coalition (BCC) comes in. Instead of waiting for someone else to fix things, they’re replacing old hardware, advocating for sustainable climbing practices, and making sure access to beloved climbing spots stays open.
They work with land managers, climbers, and Indigenous communities to ensure cultural sites are respected, trails don’t turn into disasters, and climbers actually know how to recreate responsibly.
Follow 👉🏼 Bishop Climbing Coalition
Keep Long Valley Green: Trying to Stop LADWP From Sucking The Eastern Sierra Dry
If there’s one constant villain in the Eastern Sierra’s history, it’s the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). This is the agency that drained the Owens Valley dry to fuel L.A.’s endless thirst, and now they’ve set their sights on Long Valley, a lush expanse near Mammoth Lakes.
The Keep Long Valley Green campaign is all about stopping LADWP from cutting off irrigation water to local ranchers, wetlands, and wildlife. Without that water, the valley turns into a dust bowl, and we’ve all seen how well that worked out for Owens Lake (spoiler: it didn’t).These folks are showing up at county meetings, filing lawsuits, and generally making sure LADWP doesn’t get away with another water grab.
Follow 👉🏼 Keep Long Valley Green
Friends Of The Amargosa Basin: Fighting For A Miracle
The Amargosa Basin is a miracle of an ecosystem—a wetland in the middle of one of the driest places in the world. It’s home to endangered species like the Amargosa vole and supports a fragile desert ecosystem that’s already on the brink.
Now, renewable energy companies have their eyes on the region for solar and geothermal projects, which sounds great—until you realize it could mean bulldozing irreplaceable habitat. Friends of the Amargosa Basin are fighting to make sure clean energy doesn’t come at the cost of an entire ecosystem.
Follow 👉🏼 Friends of the Amagrosa Basin
There are many more groups who deserve a mention that might not be on our radar. Drop their names in comments so we can spread the word.
So Much Work to Do—Here’s How You Can Help
None of these groups are backed by billionaires—they rely on local support, volunteers, and people who care about the Eastern Sierra. Want to get involved? If you can afford it, donate. If you can’t, volunteer for trail work or advocacy efforts.
It takes dedicated people, relentless effort, and a community that refuses to let it be exploited. Whether you’re a local, a weekend warrior, or just someone who cares about wild places, these groups are out here fighting for the land you love—show em love in whatever ways you can.
