FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 12, 2025
Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Contact: Dean Tonenna or Charlotte Lange
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

ESLT Contact: Amy Sturgill, Conservation Programs Director
Phone (760) 873-4554
Email: [email protected].

Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe Acquires Ancestral Land with Support from Eastern Sierra Land Trust and Sierra Nevada Conservancy

Lee Vining, CA – August 19, 2025 – The Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe has successfully acquired 160 acres of ancestral land in Mono County, California, located near Lee Vining. The project, completed in collaboration with the Eastern Sierra Land Trust (ESLT) and made possible through funding from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC), marks a significant step toward restoring traditional stewardship and cultural heritage on land long held by the Tribe.

The land, known as Tupe Nobe, is situated within the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area and is surrounded by Inyo National Forest. It lies approximately 10 miles east of Yosemite National Park and just 5 miles west of Mono Lake. This property is one of the closest private parcels to Yosemite from the east, making it a critical and strategic area for the Tribe’s conservation and cultural efforts.

Through this land return project, the Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe now has full ownership and management of the property, which will be used for traditional ceremonies, environmental stewardship, and educational purposes. The Tribe’s primary goal is to preserve and rejuvenate cultural heritage by conducting traditional ceremonies, ensuring that traditional knowledge and practices are passed on to future generations.

In addition to cultural preservation, the Tribe plans to steward the land by utilizing traditional land management practices to improve resilience to wildfire and enhance biodiversity. The Tribe will establish a Tribally Led Conservation Crew (TLCC), which will provide jobs and educational experiences for underserved young adults while restoring the land and improving habitat for both common and sensitive species. This work will include fuels reduction treatments, cultural burns, and habitat restoration. The Tribe has developed a Stewardship, Management, and Monitoring Plan to ensure the conservation values are upheld.

The property, formerly known as the “Burger’s Sierra Retreat,” includes several rustic cabins and a main lodge. These facilities will serve as a seasonal operations base for the TLCC, enabling the Tribe to manage the parcel year-round. The Tribe also plans to invite neighboring communities and visitors to experience Tupe Nobe through tribally interpreted educational camps and recreational retreats, providing a unique opportunity for public access and connecting visitors to the natural beauty of the Mono Basin.

Landback projects, or the return of ancestral lands to Indigenous communities, are crucial for restoring cultural practices, revitalizing traditions, and ensuring the continuation of tribal stewardship. These efforts allow tribes to reclaim their rightful relationship with the land, using traditional ecological knowledge to promote environmental sustainability and providing space for the resurgence of ceremonies and cultural practices that strengthens communities’ ties to the land, and enhances resilience for future generations.

“With the right partnerships and the plan of how we envision future acquisitions or whatever our projects may be, [Tupe Nobe] shows that it is possible. We just need to never give up, keep focusing on the future, building our tribe, and bringing our people back home.”- Dean Tonenna, Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe

The Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe and Eastern Sierra Land Trust are deeply grateful for the support of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, whose partnership has made this project possible, ensuring the return of ancestral lands to the Tribe and fostering lasting benefits for the land and surrounding communities.

About the Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe
The Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe is an Indigenous tribe whose ancestral lands are located in the Mono Basin region of California. The Tribe is committed to preserving and revitalizing its cultural heritage, language, and traditional ecological knowledge through land stewardship, environmental protection, and community engagement.

About the Eastern Sierra Land Trust
The Eastern Sierra Land Trust is an accredited land trust dedicated to preserving the beauty, ecological health, and cultural value of the Eastern Sierra. With over 23,000 acres of protected land in California and Nevada, ESLT works to protect open spaces, natural habitats, and community heritage through conservation easements, land acquisitions, and partnerships with local organizations.

About the Sierra Nevada Conservancy
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy is a state agency that supports the environmental, economic, and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada region. Through its programs, the SNC works to promote conservation, enhance climate resilience, and support regional development, ensuring a prosperous future for local communities and ecosystems.
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