MISSION STATEMENT
Ensure the public lands of the Eastern Sierra exist in an intact, healthy natural state for people and wildlife through preservation, stewardship, exploration, and education.
CORE VALUES
Friends of the Inyo is devoted to the preservation of the Eastern Sierra landscapes, animals, plants and natural ecosystems.
We strive to keep the public lands of the Eastern Sierra , open to all, and unencumbered by inappropriate development. Our core values compel us to advocate constructively based on science and data, and with ethical conduct.
We collaborate with communities and diverse peoples of the Eastern Sierra. We are inclusive and respectful with our partners, land management agencies, members and each other.
WHAT DOES FRIENDS OF THE INYO DO?
Friends of the Inyo is a community based in California’s Eastern Sierra that believes public lands are a national treasure.
To protect the plants, animals and iconic places here, we believe in a balancing preservation and recreation. Encouraging people to explore their public lands and educating these visitors on impact is a key part of the Friends of the Inyo mission to grow this community of public lands advocates.
WHO IS FRIENDS OF THE INYO?
The Friends of the Inyo community includes anyone who believes in public lands and want to ensure a vibrant future for the Eastern Sierra.
The nonprofit organization includes a board of directors and five full time staff. Professional crews and volunteers play an important role in the work the organization accomplishes.
The Friends of the Inyo partners include federal agencies, businesses, and nonprofit partners.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Friends of the Inyo membership includes monthly newsletters, notifications, and a published magazine full of ways to get more involved. We appreciate all skill levels and offer many ways to help from volunteering to a single task to serving as a volunteer board member.
The first step is to Join as a member or renew your membership as Friends of the Inyo is a member supported organization. Some members only support financially but we have many other ways to stay involved.
- Members actively engage the community by sharing public causes and initiatives or by attending public meetings.
- Volunteer trail days and events are a great way to get involved with the Friends of the Inyo.
- Volunteer help at our major events is also a great way to learn about our mission.
Our opportunities continue to change, but our goal is community engagement in support of trails, meadows, campsites, lake shores and all the beautiful places in the Eastern Sierra.
HISTORY
The board members of Friends of the Inyo spent countless hours discussing the name, Friends of the Inyo.
FOI was originally organized over 30 years ago to comment on the Inyo National Forest (INF) forest planning process. Since then, FOI has evolved into its current form working on a broad range of public land issues that impact Inyo and Mono Counties.
We’ve kept with the name because of continuity, and because the word Inyo contains power. Most think it is a Paiute word, meaning “dwelling place of the great spirit.” As those of you who walk, climb, bike, ski, run, bird watch, backpack and otherwise wander here know, it is a great, spirited land.