The gravesite at Burger Reserve

In 1911, Leslie Coombs Brand aka Father of Glendale purchased 160 acres for a vacation retreat near Mono Lake. The philanthropist and financier died in 1925.

In 1943, Dallas Osville Burger fell in love with the Mono Basin and bought the semi-abandoned property. He had a clear vision for the property, which was named Burger Sierra Retreat. It became a destination for birders and cross-country skiers.

In 1996, the 160 acres surrounding this Eastern Sierra Nevada gravesite was donated by the Dallas Burger family.

Formerly titled the Mono Basin Field Station at the Burger Reserve, its surroundings stretch between Yosemite National Park to the west and Mono Lake to the east. This land functions as a living laboratory for the Roberts Environmental Center for Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California.

There is a running total of wildlife seen at the reserve, which are recorded in plaques on the property; from mammals to birds, bats to butterflies.