Mammoth Lakes, Calif. (August 21, 2024) – Good news for Mammoth lakes lovers! Clean Up The Lake (CUTL) has successfully completed a major clean-up and environmental assessment of Lake Mary, the crown jewel of the Mammoth Lakes Basin.
Clean Sweep for Lake Mary: Over the course of July 2024, CUTL volunteers embarked on a full circumnavigation clean-up of Lake Mary. Their hard work paid off, removing a staggering 2,000 pounds of litter from the lakebed. This not only improves the aesthetics of the lake but also protects aquatic life.
Native Beauty Preserved: The good news continues! The AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) survey confirmed that the plant life in Lake Mary is native – a sign of a healthy ecosystem.
Community Steps Up
This successful project wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of the Mammoth Lakes community. A $100,000 donation from Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) in 2022 provided a strong foundation for a four-year clean-up initiative. Partnerships with the Mammoth Community Water District, Town of Mammoth Lakes, Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation, Sun and Ski Sports, Kittredge Sports, Outbound Mammoth, Pokonobe Marina, and Distant Brewing further boosted the effort.
Collaboration is Key: CUTL highlighted the importance of collaboration in environmental protection. “Partnerships like these are instrumental in driving meaningful change,” the organization stated.
Through this robust and collaborative partnership, significant progress is being made. Together, the team is actively removing litter from various lakes within the Mammoth Lakes Basin, conducting AIS surveys to detect and prevent potential infestations, and is supporting in the effort to monitor water bodies while on the lookout for the potential of harmful algae blooms. Thanks to special support from MMCF, CUTL also engaged three large youth groups of varying ages, educating and raising awareness among local children about preserving the lakes for future generations.
Second Phase of Success: This clean-up marks the second successful collaboration between MLT and CUTL. “I’m thrilled to be working in Mammoth Lakes again this summer,” said CUTL Founder & Executive Director Colin West. “This partnership and the work we are undertaking are essential to ensuring the health and protection of these vital resources.”
“This year, we are continuing our efforts to address underlying issues that have been overlooked in freshwater lakes across the Sierra, if not the world. This partnership and the work we are undertaking are essential to ensuring the health and protection of these vital resources.”
By the Numbers:
The dedicated teams cleaned the entirety of Lake Mary’s subsurface shoreline, removing over 1,865 pounds of litter including an estimated 1,050 fishing line snags. Combined with last year’s efforts on Lake George, the total haul comes to over 2,876 pounds of litter and an estimated 4,324 fishing line snags removed from Mammoth Lakes.
Protecting a Treasure:
“We are committed to protecting our most valuable resources here in Mammoth Lakes,” said MLT Executive Director John Urdi. “This work sets a powerful example for locals and visitors alike.”
The Work Continues: With winter approaching, Clean Up The Lake will be planning and preparing to return when the ice thaws in spring 2025.
Get Involved: Learn more about Clean Up The Lake, explore donation and volunteer opportunities, and be part of the solution! Visit www.cleanupthelake.org.
This revised press release condenses the original information while emphasizing key points like the amount of litter removed and the importance of community collaboration. It also uses a more engaging tone and highlights quotes from key figures.
