NEWLY FORMED ALLIANCE PROMOTES EASTERN SIERRA CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS

Media Contact: Jim Kellett, Tourism Marketing Manager

Phone: 760.934.2712 ext. 211

NEWLY FORMED ALLIANCE PROMOTES EASTERN SIERRA CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS

Mammoth Lakes, CA – The Eastern Sierra Cultural and Heritage Alliance (ESCHA) has produced and distributed an exceptional brochure map highlighting over 20 cultural destinations along HWY 395. The brochure map is designed to enhance the visitors experience to the rugged and remarkable Eastern Sierra by encouraging visitors to explore the many museums, parks and visitor centers throughout Inyo and Mono County.

ESCHA represents the alliance of museums and interpretive centers along U.S. HWY 395 from Bridgeport to Ridgecrest including the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association, the Sierra Business Council, along with Inyo and Mono Counties. The alliance was formed this year with a mission to generate and enhance awareness, appreciation and preservation of the natural and cultural resources through interpretation and education for visitors and residents of local communities in the Eastern Sierra.

Mary Canada is the Eastern Sierra Field Representative for the Sierra Business Council (SBC) and hopes the organization and brochure map can “broaden the reach of cultural tourism to touch not only our residents but our many southern California and destination visitors.” “This effort speaks to the core of SBC’s mission to secure the social, environmental and financial health of the Sierra Nevada region for this and future generations,” stated Canada.

The cleverly designed fold-out brochure map designed by local graphic designer Laura Patterson, and project manager Gloria Zinno (Town of Mammoth Lakes Program Marketing Manager) incorporates many unique elements. Each of the twenty cultural destinations are numbered on the map for easy reference and the accompanying text succinctly summarizes the attractions theme, location, hours of operation, associated entrance fees and contact details.

Perhaps the most novel aspect of the brochure map is the Passport Stamp Program. Designed to encourage visitation to all twenty venues, visitors simply collect a passport from participating locations and request to have their passport stamped. Visitors who turn in their stamped passports will receive a free gift from every site.

Funding for the program was made available from Mono County Tourism and Film Commission and Inyo Board of Supervisors grants, along with financial contributions from the individual sites, and the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA). In addition, the Sierra Business Council functioned as ESCHA's non-profit and financial management representative for the project.

“This cooperative venture to come together, seeing value in partnerships to promote Eastern Sierra cultural attractions, is a benchmark in collaboration, and all partners can be proud of their efforts to market themselves to our existing and potential visitors,” stated Canada.

Participating Eastern Sierra attractions include: (1) Mono County Museum, (2) Bodie State Historic Park, (3) Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area Visitor Center, (4) Mono Lake Committee Information Center and Bookstore, (5) Mono Basin Historical Museum / Old School House Museum, (6) Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center, (7) Devils Postpile National Monument, (8) Top of the Sierra, (9) Mammoth Ski Museum, (10) Mammoth Museum / Hayden cabin, (11) Laws Railroad Museum and Historic Site, (12) Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center, (13) Eastern California Museum and Bookstore, (14) Manzanar National Historic Site, (15) Beverly & Jim Rogers Museum of Lone Pine Film History, (16) Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center, (17) Scotty’s Castle, (18) Death Valley National Park – Furnace Creek Visitor Center and Borax Museum, (19) Shoshone Museum, (20) Maturango Museum.

For additional information regarding the Eastern Sierra Museums and Visitor Centers Brochure Map, please contact your local Chamber of Commerce or call Tourism and Recreation Dept. Program Marketing Manager, Gloria Zinno: (760) 934 2712 ext. 239.