Here’s a quick status of the tragic loss of the Schulman Grove Visitor Center in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, a beautiful section of the Inyo National Forest.
Beginning in late August a rash of vandalism started in the Eastern Sierra with the area around Big Pine being ‘ground zero.’ http://www.inyoregister.com/content/view/115766/27/
Thursday morning, September 4th, the Schulman Grove Visitor Center burned to the ground. This was amidst a rash of vandalism events occurring at the same time in the area. Arson is suspected. http://www.inyoregister.com/content/view/115529/1/
On Saturday, Sept 6th John Thomas Christiana of San Francisco was arrested in Lone Pine in connection with the vandalism. He had articles in his car that had been removed from a vandalized cabin. http://www.ksrw.sierrawave.net/site/content/view/1274/48/
Christiana was arraigned in Inyo County Court on Tuesday, Sept 9th. http://www.ksrw.sierrawave.net/site/content/view/1285/48/
Here’s the link to the latest article in the Inyo Register – http://www.inyoregister.com/content/view/116554/
Here’s what it looked like. It was a truly beautiful structure. http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2727239740033719756fZLuqQ
The visitor center will be rebuilt and efforts are underway to raise the expected $700,000 through private donations and matching funds. More information will be posted on this blog regardging the fundraising as it becomes available.
Here are a few more posts…
http://www.summitpost.org/view_object.php?object_id=440245
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/news/2008/09/shulman.shtml
http://www.ksrw.sierrawave.net/site/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=1268
http://www.sierravisionsstock.com/sierravisions/bristlecone-pine-visitor-center-lost-to-fire/
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What a senseless yet devistating crime. I hope the offender is brought to justice swiftly and the visitor centre is rebuilt better than ever, sounds like a lot of good people have donated money to see this happen. All the best, will check back for updates.