ABOUT THE SUMMIT
The Eastern Sierra faces opportunities and challenges that extend beyond jurisdictional boundaries and individual organizations. From sustainable recreation and wildfire resilience to working lands and economic development, many of the issues shaping our future require coordinated approaches and strong partnerships.
The Co-LAB Summit is a new regional gathering designed to bring together diverse perspectives, share practical solutions,, and strengthen connections across the Eastern Sierra.
This inaugural event will feature local leaders alongside practitioners from other regions who have faced similar challenges. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, participants will explore proven approaches, exchange ideas, and identify opportunities for regional action around these four core sectors.
Sustainable Recreation
Exploring approaches to recreation planning, stewardship, infrastructure, visitor management, and outdoor access.
Wildfire Resilience
Advancing collaborative collaborative strategies for landscape-scale resilience, fuels management, cultural fire, and community preparedness.
Working Lands & Agriculture
Highlighting the role of agriculture, ranching, and local food systems in supporting healthy communities and resilient ecosystems.
Economic Development
Building a foundation that strengthens local economies, supports community priorities, and creates lasting and sustainable regional benefits.
CoLAB Summit Presentations
Day 1
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Co-LAB Summit. The conversations, ideas, and perspectives shared throughout the event reflected a collective commitment to the future of the Eastern Sierra.
To extend the value of the summit beyond the event itself, we've made presentation materials available below. Whether you attended and would like to revisit a session or were unable to join us, we hope these resources provide useful insights and inspire continued collaboration.
Presentation files are organized by session and speaker. Additional materials may be added as they become available.
Day 2
Agenda
Co-LAB SUMMIT Kick-Off | 1:00 - 1:30 PM
Purpose of event
ESCOG and the Four Core Areas
Logistics
Land Acknowledgement- The Eastern Sierra’s Longest Stewardship Story
OPENING REMARKS |1:30 - 2:00 PM
Why collaboration and effective governance matters for Rural Communities
Danna Stroud
Associate Deputy Director, Regional Engagement & Development
Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
BREAK | 2:00 - 2:15 PM
PANEL 1 | OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES: HOW COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS MOVE US FORWARD | 2:15 - 3:30 PM
The realities of working across the Eastern Sierra’s Jurisdictions, land ownerships, and stakeholder interests; what’s working, what isn’t, and where collaboration has helped. Hear from agency representatives, land managers, tribal leaders, and NGO founders as they speak to challenges and opportunities of the region.
Panelists:
Paul McFarland, Mono County District 3 Supervisor, Eastern Sierra Council of Governments Board Member
Adam Perez, Water Operations Division Director, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Tom Gustie, Environmental Director, Bishop Paiute Tribe
Adam Burnett, Public Services Staff Officer, Inyo National Forest
Phillip Gross, Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management
PANEL 2 | POSITIONING THE REGION FOR OPPORTUNITY | 3:45 - 5:00 PM
Recent efforts in the Eastern Sierra that are proving that there is power in numbers. Learn about current initiatives that are leveraging collaboration to advance regional priorities. Speakers will share examples of successful partnerships, emerging opportunities, and lessons from collaborative efforts underway throughout the Eastern Sierra. Engage with leaders from the Eastern Sierra Foundation, Eastern Sierra Wildfire Alliance, and the authors of the Recommendations for Collaborative Action for Sustainable Recreation and Tourism.
Panelists:
Jeff Griffiths, Eastern Sierra Community Foundation
Laura Beardsley, Executive Director, Whitebark Institute and Eastern Sierra Wildfire Alliance
John Wentworth, President, Mammoth Lakes Tourism and Public Access Foundation
WRAP UP & LOGISTICS | 5:00 PM
DOWNTOWN BISHOP DINNER CRAWL | 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Networking and Raffle Prizes
Networking and dinner across local establishments; collect tickets to earn raffle entries for the Fire Lines screening.
“FIRELINES” MOVIE + Q&A | 7:00 - 9:00 PM
C5 Studios (210 S. Warren St., Bishop)
Documentary on wildfire, forest mismanagement, and a community that turned to trails for hope after the Dixie Fire. Director Ken Etzel will provide a Q&A following the screening.
THURSDAY JULY 9TH
Tallman Pavilion, Tri-County Fairgrounds
475 Sierra St; Bishop
COFFEE + MINGLE | 8:30 - 9:00 AM
WELCOME & STATE OF THE REGION | 9:00 - 9:15 AM
Where we have been, why regionalism, and what’s possible
Chris Bubser (Eastern Sierra Council of Governments Chair / Town of Mammoth Lakes Councilmember)
OPENING REMARKS | 9:15 - 10:00 AM
Fred Steinmann (Director of the University Center for Economic Development, University of Nevada, Reno)
Stew McMorrow (Board Member, Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, Professional forester, Staff Chief of Wildfire Resilience for CAL FIRE)
BREAK | 10:00 - 10:15 AM
PANEL 3 | WHAT MAKES IT PAY | 10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
What does it take to move collaboration from good intentions to lasting impact? This panel will explore how communities are funding cross-sector partnerships, aligning organizations around shared priorities, and leveraging resources to build stronger, more connected communities and regions.
Panelists:
Tony Karwowski, CEO/President, North Tahoe Community Alliance/Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Council
Rob Patterson, Town Manager, Town of Mammoth Lakes
JT Chevallier, Economic Development Director, Alpine County Economic Development
Keith Taylor, Associate Professor, Community and Economic Development Lab, University of California, Davis
PRE-LUNCH: Knitting it all Together | 11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Short facilitated reflection session to weave together different conversations of the Co-LAB Summit.
LUNCH (provided on-site) | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
FACILITATED DISCUSSION | GETTING TO WORK | 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Building a Collective Vision for the Eastern Sierra
What can we learn from local conversations, existing local efforts, and examples from other regions? How the findings inform our own regional vision and structure for collaboration.
Working Session Kick-Off, Elaine Kabala, Executive Director, ESCOG
Facilitation by Agnew::Beck
CLOSING REMARKS | 4:15 - 4:45 PM
HAPPY HOUR (5 - 6pm) & FARM DINNER + PANEL (6 - 9pm) -SOLD OUT!
Blue Heron Farm (475 Sierra Grande St., Wilkerson (Bishop))
Come enjoy a beverage with colleagues at the Blue Heron Farm, followed by a panel discussion on local food systems. Then enjoy a delicious farm dinner prepared by chef Sarah Knight comprised of locally sourced ingredients.
FRIDAY, JULY 10TH
CERRO COSO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
4090 West Line Street; Bishop