Education

Eastern Sierra Institute - The BLM, Bishop Field Office in association with the Inyo County Office of Education and other area agencies provides a biannual field program for science program. Dubbed the Eastern Sierra Institute (ESI), BLM trains teachers to learn outdoor methodologies the agency scientists use in their field work. Teachers then apply these new tools in outdoor settings at their local schools. Many of the teachers are from southern California and specialize in teaching science. The BLM conducts its programs at the Fish Slough Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), helping teachers understand the relationships between the area's wildlife and plant features and how they are affected by human uses of the area.

The accompanying photos are part of the ESI program conducted in March of 1998.

Funding for the program comes from the Eisenhower Grant which provides state science and math teachers professional development and training opportunities. The ESI has been conducting programs since 1992.

Other agencies who participate in the program include the U.S. Forest Service, the California Dept. of Fish and Game, the City of Los Angeles' Department of Water and Power, and others.