The native plant demonstration garden was developed as part of a USDA Forest Service Project.  In fiscal year 2006, Congress set aside funding for use by the National Forest System and its partners to fund cost-share projects.  The Inyo National Forest submitted a project description for the Interagency Visitor Center Restoration and Native Plant Demonstration Project.  It described the Project and its benefits as follows:

A newly upgraded Interagency Visitor Center* (IAVC) has recently been completed to better serve an increasing number of diverse visitors.  The IAVC serves an international audience, with many visitors from Europe, Asia and across the United States, who are drawn to the area by globally significant scenic and recreation opportunities, including Mt. Whitney, the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, and Death Valley National Park.  The previous IAVC, a much smaller facility, has been serving approximately 250,000 visitors annually.  This number is expected to rise significantly with the improved facilities.

While the new IAVC was constructed on the site of the existing smaller facility, much of the area needed to be graded in order to facilitate construction.  Restoration of the native alkali meadow, in conjunction with the creation of native plant demonstration garden for other local ecosystems, e.g., northern Mojave Desert, eastern Sierra foothill communities, etc., will provide a unique educational opportunity.  Visitors may learn about the native vegetation in the local environment, as well as have the opportunity to witness a water-wise fire safe, native plant landscape.

… Approximately 1.5 acres of native plant landscaping will be developed on the grounds of the IAVC.  A diverse mix of visitors, ranging from Los Angeles school groups traveling through to international visitors to the Lone Pine area, will gain an increased appreciation of local ecosystems, as well as an introduction to native plants and xeriscaping.

Long before actual work could begin, the Forest conducted preliminary soil/water site investigations. In addition, a botanical consultant prepared reports on potential botanical and wetland resources, as well as a noxious weed risk assessment. Copies of these reports, written in 2000/2001, are maintained at the Inyo NF Supervisor's Office.

Over the years, the garden was maintained by IAVC staff and occasional volunteer work parties.  Everyone recognized the need to find a community group to adopt the garden and help with its restoration and maintenance. In late 2019, the Inyo-Mono County Master Gardeners partnered with the Inyo National Forest to research, restore, and maintain the native plant demonstration garden.

Since that time, a dedicated crew of volunteers has been working through the challenges including the closing of the IAVC and other COVID-related restrictions on work parties. The native plants in the garden grew, uninhibited, and many volunteer plants began to crowd out some of the original plantings.  The automatic watering system failed. Some plants died due to lack of water, while other plants died due to over-watering.  Nevertheless, much of the original skeleton of the garden design has been revived and we hope to continue maintenance of the garden on a regular schedule.  

In the interim, we have been trying to unlock the history of the native garden and preserve it for future visitors. 

This post is the first in a series that will share some of the history of the garden at the IAVC.

Other thoughts regarding possible future changes to the garden included:

• Making the picnic bench area adjacent to the garden and the Visitor Center entrance more amenable to visitors by creating shade.
• Removing the chain link fence and replacing it with a split rail or more natural fence that blends with the garden. Consider placing a wooden gate that would provide access to the Visitors Center entrance.
• Placing benches on the north side of the Visitor Center, facing out to the garden, to give visitors an opportunity to view the garden.
• Adding rock plantings to the garden to create additional interest.
• Moving the vending machines to provide room for the potential mural.

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* Now called the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitors Center, but referred to as IAVC in this post.