Sign up to stay informed about the Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership
THE EASTERN SIERRA
SUSTAINABLE RECREATION PARTNERSHIP
A UNIQUE PUBLIC/PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN
THE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE AND LOCAL AGENCIES
A REPLICABLE SUSTAINABLE RECREATION PROGRAM
IN CALIFORNIA'S MAGNIFICENT EASTERN HIGH SIERRA
ENSURING THE PUBLIC'S NATURAL RESOURCES ARE ENJOYED RESPONSIBLY SO THEY WILL ENRICH AND INSPIRE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME
The Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership is providing its information-sharing platforms to benefit the Recreation and Tourism industry sector of Sierra Jobs First during its Catalyst phase through Sierra Works.
Sierra Works is a regional initiative dedicated to advancing projects that enhance the recreation and tourism sectors, key drivers of the Sierra region’s economy.
Led by the Recreation & Tourism Industry Sector Coordinators contracted through Sierra Jobs First, our goal is to foster sustainable growth, support businesses, and strengthen local industries through strategic investments and collaboration.
Funded through the California Jobs First initiative, Sierra Works aligns with broader state efforts to drive economic resilience, promote climate-conscious development, and create long-term prosperity for the region.
Serving Amador, Alpine, Calaveras, Inyo, Mariposa, Mono, and Tuolumne Counties.
Funding for this project has been provided by California Jobs First
On March 7, 2019, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC)'s Governing Board awarded Proposition 68 funds in the amount of $618,750 to launch the "Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership: Sustainable Recreation and Tourism Initiative (SRTI)." This action to benefit the SNC's Eastern Sierra sub-region demonstrated a pioneering commitment to California’s rural outdoor recreation economy and the natural resources that make it possible. The SRTI's subsequent program of work distributed across four areas of focus (see "tracks" below) was administered by Mammoth Lakes Trails & Public Access Foundation on behalf of the ESSRP from July 2019 until the grant's completion in January 2022.
Track #1: Regional Recreation Stakeholder Engagement
Recreation Stakeholder Project Ideas
Completed February 1, 2021
Track #2: Climate Adaptation & Resilience Assessment
A Changing Climate | Vulnerability in California's Eastern Sierra
Completed May 13, 2021
Track #3: Connection to the Eastern Sierra Visitor Audience
Completed February 22, 2021
Track #4: Project Development & Prioritization for Funding
ESSRP Prospectus for Future Investments
Completed January 31, 2022
Funding for this project has been provided by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, an agency of the State of California, under the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) and in support of the Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program.
SHARED STEWARDSHIP CHALLENGES PRESENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATIVE DECISION MAKING TO DEFINE A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
THE EASTERN SIERRA SUSTAINABLE RECREATION PARTNERSHIP IS:
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A unique "public/public" partnership between local and federal government agencies
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A regional voice - emerging as a leader for sustainable outdoor recreation in California
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Growing! In addition to the current signatories, other regional agencies are taking steps to join the partnership
RESOURCES:
Review the critical documents that informed the creation of the Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership
Review the efforts of the "Eastern Sierra Recreation Collaborative" that helped inform the Inyo National Forest's "Early Adopter" Management Plan update
“Resources” web pages are being hosted by the Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access Foundation (MLTPA)
ESSRP PARTNERS
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Alpine County, California
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Bureau of Land Management
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Caltrans
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City of Bishop, California
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Eastern Sierra Council of Governments
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Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Intermountain Region (USFS Region 4)
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Inyo County, California
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Inyo National Forest, Pacific Southwest Region (USFS Region 5)
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Mono County, California
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National Park Service
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Town of Mammoth Lakes, California
"Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership" – A Non Funded Challenge Cost Share Agreement between Mono County, and the Town of Mammoth Lakes, California and the USDA, Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, Inyo National Forest and Intermountain Region, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (July 2018) is being expanded to include additional agencies through an updated memorandum of understanding, the "ESSRP MOU.
WHAT THE PARTNERSHIP WILL DO:
THE ESSRP OPERATING PLAN IDENTIFIES THE FOLLOWING AREAS FOR REVIEW, PRIORITIZATION AND POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTATION:
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New trails and facility planning and construction
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New and existing "hard infrastructure" including bathrooms, pavement maintenance, water, sewer, other buildings
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New and existing "soft infrastructure" including trail maintenance, signage, campground service
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Maintenance and staffing of visitor centers
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County/Town recreational infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation, and new project Identification and work program development
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Project planning including environmental review
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Permitting facilitation and clean-up (i.e. use permits, film permits, other agreements)
“The condition of our recreation and heritage assets has steadily diminished, resulting in a ballooning backlog of maintenance needs for recreation facilities, trails, and roads.”
“National economic conditions and mounting financial demands underscore the inadequacy of traditional funding sources to meet growing needs...”
- from the United States Forest Service Framework for Sustainable Recreation
"Connecting People with America’s Great Outdoors: A Framework for Sustainable Recreation”
- United States Forest Service, USDA Recreation, Heritage and Volunteer Resources - June 25, 2010
