A CHANGING CLIMATE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE EASTERN SIERRA

CLOSING NIGHT!

Panel Discussion Keynote Finale - A Changing Climate And Opportunities For The Eastern Sierra

PRESENTED BY: Mammoth Lakes Recreation

VIDEO DOCUMENTATION: Watch here

YOUR INPUT: Click here to email us your thoughts!

Four and a half years of drought have devastated seasonal snowpacks in the Sierra Nevada, diminishing California’s water supply and encouraging catastrophic wildfires. These same wildfires are assaulting the health of our forests while simultaneously compounding the stresses on their carbon sequestration function and impacting the viability of our region’s outdoor recreation economy.

The Closing Session of the Mammoth Lakes Winter Recreation Summit will feature a discussion among four panelists about how we can best respond to the changing climate, and take on the efforts necessary to mitigate impacts, advocate for policy changes, adapt to conditions, and collaborate and work together to ensure our continued economic growth and sustainability through our outdoor recreation products and experiences.

Chris Steinkamp, Executive Director for Protect Our Winters (POW), will share his organization’s story about starting a social movement on climate change designed to activate a passionate community and create the political will for meaningful action by state and federal policymakers. POW is the leading climate advocacy group for the snowsports industry, and Chris will share how mountain communities and resort destinations can engage with this effort.

Tracy Lamb is the Director of the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, but it’s his experience as a leader in the International Biathlon Union that he’ll share as part of the panel. Tracy has travelled the globe on behalf of the sport and has seen what innovative steps international biathlon destinations have taken to adapt to changing snow levels and climate conditions. He’ll discuss how the techniques found in the European countries might be used in Mammoth Lakes.

David Page is the newest Advocacy Manager for the Winter Wildlands Alliance and a freelance journalist based in Mammoth Lakes. David will discuss the value of collaboration among diverse interests and how such collaboration will lead to improved planning and implementation efforts related to winter outdoor recreation.

NOAA: This Was the Warmest Winter on Record

The United States is in the midst of the warmest winter on record. NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information just released its State of the Climate: National Overview for February 2016 report tracking weather stats for December through February. The data reveals record high average temperatures across the contiguous U.S.

POW (Protect Our Winters) Website

See what Protect Our Winters is up to, advocating responsible outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship.

Tracy Lamb Bio

Bio information for Tracy Lamb, Director of the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA and International Technical Deligate to the International Biathlon Union.

Biathletes for Climate Action

Hannah Dreissegacker -Team USA Biathlete speaks about the Biathletes for Climate Action initiative in this quick video.

How is the Ski Industry Responding to Climate Change?

Colorado Ski Country interviews Beth Jensen, Director of Corporate Responsibility for the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA).

Which ski areas might actually win as a result of rising temperatures?

Contrary to what some have said, those who professionally study the changing climate and its rising temperatures do not foresee an end to snow. Or winter. Or skiing.

Climate Impacts on the Winter Recreation Economy in the United States Report

In 2012 POW and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) contracted with Elizabeth Burakowski and Matthew Magnusson from the University of New Hampshire to independently examine the economic impacts of the winter tourism industry. See the full report here.

New York State to Create Cross-Border Winter Tourism Advertising Campaign

Take a look at out how other communities are collaborating to promote winter tourism.

Engaging Gen-Y, an economic report by SnowSports Industries America (SIA)

Check out SIA's report designed to help better understand the characteristics of 'Generation-Y" not only in terms of labels and vague character traits, but in terms of the environment they adapted to as they became adults with hundreds of billions of dollars in spending power.

Colorado firms throw flag on Utah plan to cut coal-plant emissions

Companies from Aspen Skiing to Warren Miller Entertainment petition EPA to crack down on pollution from two Berkshire Hathaway-owned plants