MAMMOTH TRAILS COMMITTEE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
We talk a lot about the Mammoth Lakes Trail System and all the great opportunities to recreate and be a steward of our public lands. But did you know in 2015, the Town of Mammoth Lakes contracted with Mammoth Lakes Recreation (MLR) to oversee a new Trail Coordination program adopted by the Town Council? To achieve this, MLR convenes and facilitates the 7-member Mammoth Trails Committee (MTC) to provide program and fiscal oversight for the Mammoth Lakes Trail System and collaborate “with the Town and partners on providing recommendations to Town Council for the continuation, prioritization, implementation, and design of programs and services to support the Mammoth Lakes Trail System.”
We had a chance to catch up with one of the MTC members, Spencer Ostergaard this month. Here’s a little more about this engaged committee member…
Spencer grew up in Oak Park, Illinois and then went to Northland College in northern Wisconsin, earning a B.S. in Natural Resources. Immediately after graduating in 2015, he spent his first winter season in Mammoth. Finding his way in Mammoth, Spencer taught snowboarding at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort for five seasons and also did a stint at Footloose Sports. He has worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a Wildland Firefighter and for their Off-Highway Vehicle program. Now, he is working as a Real Property Appraiser for the Mono County Assessor’s Office, while concurrently working on a Master of Science in Land Resources and Environmental Science through Montana State University.
When he’s not working or studying, Spencer loves to canoe, hike, fly fish, mountain bike, snowboard, and really any activity that gets him outside. Camping is the favorite for Spencer and his wife. They have set a goal to camp at least once a month for this year – bundle up!!
After being on the MTC for one year, Spencer has this to say, “I think that it is so rad our community helps to maintain our local trails and drives the creation of additional trails in our backyard. I joined the Trails Committee to be part of this awesome process and to share my knowledge and scientific mindset. It is my pleasure to serve our community in this manner and hope to help improve our trails into the future.”
The next MTC meeting is scheduled for February 9, 2023, at 3:00pm. Sign up through the Town of Mammoth Lakes “Notify Me” system to receive information on upcoming meetings.
Thank you Spencer for your dedication to our trails!
About Mammoth Lakes Recreation
Formed in 2014, Mammoth Lakes Recreation’s mission is to deliver cutting edge sustainable recreation, mobility, and arts & culture opportunities and infrastructure for the benefit of the community and natural environment of Mammoth Lakes. For more information, go to www.mammothlakesrecreation.org.