Friends of Mono Lake

The Bodie Foundation was formed in 2008 by a small group of individuals dedicated to helping with the preservation of Bodie. During 2009 the Bodie Foundation became a 501 (c) (3) non-profit and signed a Donor Agreement with the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). In 2010 the mission of the Foundation was expanded by signing a Cooperating Agreement with DPR to raise funds to help support interpretation and education at Bodie State Historic Park, Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, and Grover Hot Springs State Park. In 2012 the Foundation signed a Concession Contract with DPR to keep Mono Lake open to the public, as budget cuts continued to erode DPR’s operating budgets. The Foundation’s fundraising for Mono Lake is through donations from individuals and corporations, special events, and sales from brochures, T-shirts, and baseball caps. We are a relatively young, small non-profit, largely run by volunteers (board of trustees). All funds donated specifically to the Friends of Mono Lake are used only at Mono Lake.

Our Mission

To help visitors understand, appreciate, and emotionally connect with Mono Lake's remarkable natural resources through interpretation and education and to inspire visitors to want to protect this outstanding resource and explore it further on their own.