Learn more on a field seminar
Through a combination of field excursions and classroom presentations, field seminars emphasize a spirit of learning and camaraderie in a magnificent outdoor setting at a reasonable cost. Instructors are experts in their fields and include scientists, naturalists, and acclaimed photographers, writers, historians, and artists.
Learn more on a field seminar
Through a combination of field excursions and classroom presentations, field seminars emphasize a spirit of learning and camaraderie in a magnificent outdoor setting at a reasonable cost. Instructors are experts in their fields and include scientists, naturalists, and acclaimed photographers, writers, historians, and artists.
2026 Mono Basin Field Seminars
Registration for the 2026 seminars opened on Sunday, February 15 at 8:00am.
| Seminar and Instructor | Date | Member/Non-member price | GROUP SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Documenting the Range of Light Sarah Attar | April 24–26 | $410/$390 | 10 |
| Los Angeles Aqueduct Tour Maureen McGlinchy & Robbie Di Paolo | May 2 | $185/$170 | 15 |
| Wildlife Tracking in the Mono Basin Phil Johnston | May 8–10 | $310/$295 | 15 |
| Breeding Birds of the Mono Basin Nora Livingston | May 22–24 | $310/$295 | 12 |
| Avian Ecology of the Mono Basin | June 26–28 | $345/$330 | 12 |
| Miwok-Paiute Basketry Lucy Parker, Dr. Julia Parker, & Ursula Jones | July 10–12 | $630/$605 | 12 |
| Botanizing the Basin: Exploring Mono Lake’s Diverse Flora Steve Root | July 17–19 | $310/$295 | 15 |
| Mono Basin Landscape & Dark Night Sky Photography Jeff Sullivan & Lori Hibbett | July 17–19 | $410/$390 | 10 |
| Butterflies & Moths of the Eastern Sierra Paul Johnson | July 24–26 | $310/$295 | 10 |
| High Country Marvels: Wildlife with an Altitude Beth Pratt | July 31–August 2 | $310/295 | 10 |
| Geology of the Mono Basin: Land of Fire & Ice (will be filled by a lottery) Greg Stock | August 7–9 | $310/$295 | 14 |
| Traveling Through Geologic Time in the Mono Basin Guleed Ali | August 14–16 | $310/$295 | 15 |
| Communing with Lands and Waters Bree Salazar | August 21–23 | $40–80 sliding scale | enrollment limited |
| Falling for the Migration Dave Shuford | August 21–23 | $310/$295 | 14 |
| Lee Vining Creek Crawl Hannah Ashby | August 28–30 | $250/$235 | 15 |
| Cuentos y Cantos al Desierto (English itinerary, Spanish itinerary) Blanca Stacey Villalobos – This bilingual seminar is specifically designed to create a space for native & heritage Spanish-speaking participants. | September 4–6 | $40–80 sliding scale | enrollment limited |
| Natural History at the Edge of the Sierra Nora Livingston | September 18–20 | $310/$295 | 14 |
| Geology of the Mono Basin: Land of Fire & Ice (will be filled by a lottery) Greg Stock | September 25–27 | $310/$295 | 14 |
| Fall Colors of the Mono Basin Hannah Ashby | October 10 | $185/$170 | 15 |
Seminar registration
Registration for the 2026 Field Seminars opened on Sunday, February 15 at 8:00am PST. If you have any questions, please send us an email or call (760) 647-6595.
Wait lists
If the seminar you wish to sign up for is full, you’ll be able to join a wait list. We will contact you as soon as a space opens up and you can always give us a call to inquire about your spot on the list: (760) 647-6595.
Cancellation policy
If you cancel three weeks prior to the seminar start date, we will refund your payment (less a $15 processing fee per person per seminar). If you cancel within three weeks of the seminar start date, we will refund 50% of your payment. If you cancel within one week of the seminar start date, no refunds will be issued.
If a seminar receives less than six participants it will be canceled two weeks in advance, and full refunds will be issued.
Geology of the Mono Basin lottery
The two Geology of the Mono Basin field seminars are filled by lottery. You may enter the lottery once when the lottery period is open. When applying for the lottery, you will be asked which seminar date(s) you would like to apply for, how many people are in your group, and if anyone in your group has attended the Geology of the Mono Basin field seminar before.
The lottery opened on February 15, 2026 at 8:00am PST and closed on February 25 at 11:59pm PST. Entrants were contacted on February 27 by email with the results of the lottery. If your lottery entry is successful, you had until March 6 to complete your registration. If your lottery entry was not successful, you were notified of your position on the wait list (determined by random draw) and asked if you would like to accept that spot on the wait list. First-time registrants for this seminar get priority; however, there are a limited number of spots for past attendees as well.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pay for a field seminar?
You need a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express credit card to pay for your seminar, whether you are signing up online or over the phone. We do not accept personal checks.
Can I attend only a portion of a field seminar?
You may, as long as you attend the very first meeting of the seminar. For example, if your seminar begins on Friday evening at 6:00pm, you must attend that portion. There are no discounts for attending only a portion of any field seminar.
Is lodging included?
No, seminar participants must arrange their own lodging. We advise that you make your lodging reservations as soon as you sign up for any seminar(s). The town of Lee Vining has several motels, as does the town of June Lake, approximately 15 miles south of Lee Vining. Campsites may also available in nearby campgrounds or at the Mono Vista RV Park in Lee Vining. Dispersed camping is also an option; please make sure you camp in an area where it is allowed (sleeping in your car is not allowed in Lee Vining or at Mono Lake recreation sites).
Can I bring my children?
Children ages 12 and older are welcome to participate in field seminars, as long as a parent or guardian is also registered in the same seminar. Children under the age of 12 are not allowed in Mono Lake field seminars.
Can I bring my pet?
No pets are allowed on any Field Seminars. Please consider this in advance and find boarding accommodations for your pets or leave them at home; do not leave pets in your car during seminars. Service animals assisting people with disabilities are allowed on seminars and must be leashed.
Do I need four-wheel drive for my field seminar?
No, generally not.
Does weather affect the seminars?
Weather: The Mono Basin’s dramatic weather is part of what you come here to experience. There are no refunds for weather-related reasons, so please check road conditions before you leave home, and bring plenty of layers, rain gear, and warm clothes for your seminar.
Wildfire smoke: We will make every effort to avoid wildfire smoke, which may include relocating portions of seminars to less-smoky areas (be prepared for seminar itineraries to change at the last minute). If the Air Quality Index (AQI) for Lee Vining according to Purple Air is lower than 100 for PM-2.5, the seminar will proceed. If the AQI is 100 or higher, the seminar instructor may decide to cancel the day’s activities if they cannot be relocated. If the AQI is 150 or higher, the day’s activities, and possibly the entire seminar, will be canceled. Anyone may leave a seminar at any time due to smoke sensitivity, regardless of the AQI. Refunds will be issued on a case-by-case basis; please contact the seminar team to discuss refunds.
All Field Seminars operate under permits from the Inyo National Forest and California State Park system.
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