MEDIA RELEASE

5/8/2025

— For Immediate Release —

Contact: Louis Medina, Outreach Director, Sierra Forever [email protected], Cell 323.788.7447

 

Sierra Forever Issues Call for Papers: Presentation Ideas Sought for 2025 Eastern Sierra History Conference

Interpretive education and conservation nonprofit Sierra Forever is seeking presentations on the history and culture of the Sierra Nevada and Great Basin, along with research that may have taken place outside of our region but is related to the history of the area, for its 10^th Annual Eastern Sierra History Conference this fall.

The deadline for submitting a maximum 250-word abstract along with a brief biographical statement is Friday, June 27, and those selected will be scheduled to present on either the first or second day of the conference, which this year is scheduled to take place Friday – Sunday, Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, at the Bishop Campus of Cerro Coso Community College.

Presentations can be either 30 or 40 minutes long, to be followed by 10 minutes of discussion and Q&A.

To get an idea of some of the topics presented in past conferences, please visit the Eastern Sierra History Journal at scholarship.claremont.edu/eshj. A digital publication, this journal is a collaboration between Sierra Forever and the Claremont Colleges Library. History Conference presenters are given the opportunity to also submit an article about their topic to the History Journal.

Sierra Forever Board Member and Editor in Chief of the Eastern Sierra History Journal, Char Miller, said the conference “is an amazing opportunity for historians and lovers of history to gather in Bishop and explore their shared interest in the Eastern Sierra’s remarkable, complicated, and at times contentious past.” A published author, Miller teaches environmental analysis and history at Pomona College, one of the five Claremont Colleges.

Through the Eastern Sierra History Conference, Sierra Forever aims to increase awareness, enrich knowledge, and build recognition of the diverse and complex heritage of the Sierra Nevada and Great Basin region. Individuals who are passionate about our region’s local history, from amateur historians to academics, are welcome to submit presentation ideas, according to Sierra Forever Executive Director Jeff Gabriel.

Those interested in presenting at the History Conference should submit an abstract and bio following the guidelines above to Michelle Kelly, Sierra Forever’s Education & Events Manager, at [email protected]. For questions, please use the same email to contact her, or call (760) 920-9224.

About the Eastern Sierra History Conference

Sierra Forever’s Eastern Sierra History Conference features two full days of dynamic presentations on Friday and Saturday, including morning keynotes on both days, and field trips to choose from on Sunday. Breakfast, lunch, and light refreshments at breaks will be provided on Friday and Saturday for all speakers and conference attendees. Sierra Forever, which runs 20 bookstores at public land visitor centers and ranger stations throughout the Eastern Sierra and Great Basin on both sides of the California/Nevada state line, will be selling relevant books, maps, and other items during the conference. An announcement with registration details for those wanting to attend will be made later this spring.

For information about all program and event offerings from Sierra Forever, please visit sierraforever.org.

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