FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Clean Up The Lake to Lead Upper Twin Lakes Environmental Cleanup


Mono County Expresses Deep Gratitude to Clean Up the Lake as Upper Twin Lakes Project Expands Eastern Sierra Stewardship


MONO COUNTY, Calif. (August 10, 2026) – Mono County and non-profit Clean Up The Lake (CUTL) have launched the Upper Twin Lakes Cleanup Project near Bridgeport, California this week. The initiative expands CUTL’s mission to safeguard freshwater ecosystems by removing submerged debris and mobilizing communities to protect fragile underwater environments.


Mono County extends its deepest gratitude to Clean Up the Lake for bringing this vital stewardship project to our region and expanding their conservation efforts across Eastern Sierra waters. As a treasured destination for anglers, boaters, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts, Upper Twin Lakes is both an invaluable natural resource and an area particularly susceptible to the long-term impacts of heavy recreation. This new project builds directly upon findings from CUTL’s July 2025 pilot efforts—which revealed significant amounts of hidden, submerged debris beneath the surface—and addresses a critical need for ongoing cleanup and monitoring in the Twin Lakes system.


"As visitation to our freshwater ecosystems continues to grow, proactive stewardship becomes increasingly important," said Jenny Uvira, Programs Manager at Clean Up The Lake. "Our previous work at Twin Lakes showed us that there is meaningful work to be done beneath the surface. This project is an opportunity to protect water quality, preserve habitat, and ensure that future generations can continue enjoying these beautiful lakes."


The Upper Twin Lakes Cleanup Project combines underwater debris removal with vital scientific monitoring to protect the watershed and preserve the region's recreational value. In addition to retrieving submerged litter before it breaks down into pollutants, field teams will conduct aquatic invasive species (AIS) surveys and harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring across the Twin Lakes system. By collecting water and biological samples for laboratory analysis, the project will establish critical baseline data for resource managers, enable early detection of environmental threats, and support the long-term health of the ecosystem.


This effort is made possible through support from the Mono County Fish and Game Fine Fund, Outdoorsy, and Westrek. Funding from the Fine Fund directly supports local watershed conservation, while Outdoorsy’s commitment to responsible recreation and Westrek’s operational partnership provide critical field and community engagement resources.


"Upper Twin Lakes is a true crown jewel of Mono County, drawing visitors from across California to fish, boat, and explore our incredible Eastern Sierra landscape," said Jennifer Kreitz (District 1), Chair of the Mono County Board of Supervisors. "We are proud to invest in this effort through the Mono County Fish and Game Fine Fund and are grateful to Clean Up The Lake for partnering with us to protect our natural resources from the bottom up, ensuring our pristine waters remain a healthy ecosystem for future generations."


Through partnerships like these, Clean Up The Lake continues demonstrating that protecting freshwater ecosystems requires collaboration between nonprofits, local governments, businesses, and outdoor communities.


Community members are encouraged to follow the project and learn more about how they can support freshwater conservation efforts throughout the Sierra Nevada region at cleanupthelake.org.


About Clean Up The Lake


Clean Up The Lake is a nonprofit organization dedicated to removing submerged litter from freshwater ecosystems, conducting aquatic invasive species monitoring, and inspiring environmental stewardship through community engagement and education. Since its founding, the organization has removed tens of thousands of pounds of debris from lakes and waterways while activating volunteers to protect what lies unseen beneath the surface.


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