2023 - 2024 Annual Report by Anza-Borrego Foundation

Photos left to right: Edwin Villanueva, Jennifer Valkier, Melissa Danskine

LETTER FROM ABF’S PRESIDENT, DAVID VAN CLEVE

Together, we are ensuring that this magnificent desert landscape remains protected and accessible for generations to come.

I am proud to be the newly elected President of Anza-Borre Foundation’s (ABF) board. As a former superintendent of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and having worked at the Park as an ecologist and serving as an ABF board member several years, I feel deeply rooted in the Park and ABF.

These are exciting times for us and our staff and determined to fulfill our mission – to partner with through public education, advocacy, land con interpretive sales, and direct funding of park pr

ABF was founded 58 years ago to begin the dif eliminating inholdings (privately owned propert park boundary) and has done an admirable jo down the numbers of acres and property owne those lands to the Park for permanent protectio

Over the years, ABF has added other programs education, and now operates the retail stores i Visitor Center and the Borrego Springs mall. Ag from these programs help support the Park.

I have the unique advantage of having worked and having a trusted support partner in ABF an on the ABF board and supporting the Park. In b I learned that the relationship between the two is largely based on the rapport between the Pa superintendent and ABF’s executive director. Th has never been stronger, due to the mutual res shared vision between Ray Lennox and Bri Ford

Thank you for your continued support of both A Desert State Park and our Foundation.

David Van Cleve, ABF President

Photo: Daniel Buck

Our Mission

To protect and preserve the natural landscapes, wildlife habitat and cultural heritage of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and its surrounding region for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Photo: Rebecca Kuritz

YEAR IN REVIEW BRI FORDEM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As I reflect on ABF’s work during the 2023 - 2024 fiscal year, I am struck by how vital our mission has become in the face of evolving challenges. This year reminded us once again of the importance of remaining nimble and responsive to both threats and opportunities affecting this extraordinary Park, the largest and most biodiverse in California's state park system.

The past year brought significant challenges: state park budget cuts threatened critical services, while legislative proposals attempted to weaken environmental review processes for projects that would impact the Park's delicate ecosystems.

Despite these headwinds, we achieved remarkable results across all our program areas, demonstrating the resilience and commitment that define ABF.

Our financial strength provided the support for our work, continuing to grow our impact and allowing us to purchase nearly 700 acres of private inholdings, including a critical 640-acre parcel on Coyote Mountain that serves as essential bighorn sheep habitat. Since our founding, we have now conserved over 57,000 acres, gradually transforming the Park from a fragmented landscape into the expansive, protected wilderness it is today.

What makes us truly special is the synergistic relationship between our core focus areas: land conservation, education, retail, and direct park support. This synergy was evident in our new "Anza-Borrego for All" initiative, which addresses barriers to Park access for underserved communities through programs like youth field trips,

Photo: Sherri Schottlaender

Photo: Jan Strack

Photo: Rebecca Kuritz

Photo: Bill Brothers

overnight camps, teacher workshops, and Family Camping. Our education initiatives reached hundreds of students and teachers whose influence will extend far beyond their experience. Our retail operations welcomed thousands of shoppers whose purchases directly supported the Park, while serving as "mini ambassadors" for desert conservation.

Having been with the Foundation since 2014, I've witnessed firsthand the remarkable adaptability of ABF through an array of challenges: budget fluctuations, staffing shortages, wildflower "superblooms" that brought unprecedented visitation, and even a global pandemic. Through it all, ABF has not merely survived but thrived, maintaining steady growth in our support and services.

What lies ahead remains unknown, but ABF's track record and dedicated supporters like you give me complete confidence in our ability to continue providing vital support, no matter what challenges arise. This confidence stems from our exceptional staff and dedicated volunteers, each of whom shares a personal connection with Anza-Borrego as well as our healthy Partnership with the State Department of Parks and Recreation.

Our community of supporters continues to grow, a testament to the increasing recognition of the Park's significance and the value of our work. Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support makes everything we do possible, and together, we will continue to ensure that Anza-Borrego Desert State Park remains protected and accessible for generations to come.

With deep gratitude,

Bri Fordem Executive Director

Alexis Kay

CONSERVATION IN ACTION: A YEAR

OF PROTECTING DESERT WILDLANDS

MORALES, LAND PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR

ABF’s land program continues to play a crucial role in safeguarding the vast landscapes of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. In the past fiscal year, we successfully purchased 698.75 acres of private inholdings from willing landowners. Of that total, 691.25 acres are within State Wilderness areas, including a 640-acre parcel on Coyote Mountain that serves as critical bighorn sheep habitat within the Park. Fully funded by grants and one

generous donor, this purchase ensures that this sensitive ecosystem remains undisturbed, providing a refuge where wildlife can thrive.

Since 1967, ABF has conserved over 57,000 acres, transforming the Park from a fragmented mosaic of private landholdings into the expansive, protected landscape it is today. Our efforts continue with an upcoming land transfer to the State Park of 3,156 acres across 86 parcels, advancing our mission to preserve this desert’s breathtaking beauty for generations to come.

Every acre we protect is made possible by the generosity of our donors and partners. Your support empowers us to steward the land, wildlife, and cultural heritage of this extraordinary desert landscape.

Thank you for being a vital part of our work.

Photo Tracee

ANZA-BORREGO FOR ALL

By Samantha Young, Education Director

After the pandemic put most of our education programs on pause in previous years, we built back capacity to run 85 education programs and reinstate our volunteer training program. Engagement in our education programs was high, with direct participation by 1,584 people, 557 of which were first-time attendees, 366 were K-12 students, and 72 were K-12 teachers.

We have continued to work to better our community by bringing people outside to connect with nature, move their bodies, and improve physical and mental health, and discover parts of themselves only found in nature.

A new initiative started this year, Anza-Borrego for All, does this by creating agency and confidence in the outdoors and reducing barriers to underserved communities in accessing the free resources in this Park and other public lands. These programs create profound growth, ultimately bettering life for those they engage. Anza-Borrego for All currently includes:

One important strategic goal for us is to increase access to education programs by providing student discounts, scholarships for financial hardship, and make programs free, when possible, by seeking grants and funding subsidies from our fee-based programs. During the year we increased financial accessibility by offering 11 free programs and 85% of all programs had a full or partial scholarship option.

Family Camp

In partnership with California State Parks, Anza-Borrego FamCamp provided free, first-time camping experiences, teaching San Diegans the skills to camp on their own and providing greater access to the resources in this State Park. Grant support from The Parker Foundation allowed us to run seven FamCamp weekends at no cost to the 163 participants.

“This camping trip got my kids (5 and 3 year old) to love the desert. They still talk about the animals and the cactus they saw and can't wait to go back. Thank you for making this a fun experience for the kiddos!”

- Participant

AT NO COST TO THE 163 PARTICIPANTS.

BioBlitz

In collaboration with the Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center and other partners, we hosted our first AnzaBorrego Desert BioBlitz. This two-day event invited community members and families to join scientists and naturalists in documenting as many living organisms as possible within the Park. Participants engaged in night surveys of bats, arthropods, and snails, as well as daytime surveys of birds, plants, amphibians, and reptiles. Utilizing the iNaturalist app, attendees contributed valuable data to our understanding of the Park's biodiversity. A BioBlitz is a focused, fast-paced effort to document as many species as possible in a short time, offering valuable data for conservation while engaging the public in scientific discovery. The BioBlitz fosters a deeper appreciation for the desert ecosystem and highlights the importance of community involvement in conservation efforts.

30% of participants visited Anza-Borrego for the very first time during the BioBlitz – a truly remarkable statistic! Using iNaturalist, participants made 2,501 observations and identified 517 species.

EDUCATION PROGRAM PARTNERS

ABF Staff: Stacy Valdez, Annie DeFino, Samantha Young

Danny McCamish, Senior Environmental Scientist Colorado Desert District California State Parks

ANZA-BORREGO TEACHER SYMPOSIA

TRANSFORMATIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCES

Teachers embarked on a three-day, two-night retreat in Anza-Borrego with their grade level cohort, hosted at UC Irvine’s Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center. The all-inclusive program includes presentations by expert naturalists, guided desert adventures, collaborative curriculum development, food and accommodations. It serves a large proportion of Title I schools across southern California, which are under-resourced and primarily contain students who come from low-income areas.

Teachers share with us that their experience “was eye opening and enriching… learning to appreciate the desert environment with so many different lenses. [Hearing from a] historian, biologist, photographer, tracker… I will never see the desert in the same way again and I am so excited to share it with my students.”

TEACHERS HAVE AN EXPONENTIAL IMPACT, EACH REACHING AS MANY AS 150 STUDENTS EVERY YEAR. WHEN MULTIPLIED BY THE 72 TEACHERS WE TRAINED, AS MANY AS 10,800 STUDENTS WILL BE MORE CONNECTED WITH ANZA-BORREGO AND THE OUTDOORS.

of these hands-on, field-based learning experiences have profound impacts on teacher effectiveness as both educator and environmental steward of this State Park and all protected lands. “The Anza Borrego Teacher Symposium was an unparalleled gift. To spend a weekend led by field professionals, and in the company of thoughtful peers, has been edifying and uplifting. I have been provided with a wealth of resources, foundational knowledge, and the means to immediately translate my learning experience to my classroom. The accommodations and provisions were ample and exceptional. Every detail was considered and resulted in a highly valuable and memorable experience.”

The direct experience in a program “…is the perfect opportunity to slow down and experience the world as […] students appreciate it… This experience reminded me to step back and approach teaching from a standpoint of students’ impact on the world and how they can begin the process of learning to appreciate the environment we live in. With the support of the amazing

All photos by Paulette Donnellon

OUTREACH GROWING OUR COMMUNITY

In the new role as Community Engagement Coordinator, Stacy Valdez hit the ground running building bridges between ABF and our neighbors across San Diego County. Stacy formalized our Outreach Program, representing ABF at multiple county-wide events,

inx of Borrego Springs to co-create g g g programs more accessible to Latinx community members.

On the volunteer side, we launched a comprehensive Volunteer Program anchored by a 28-page handbook and a spring virtual training (eight new recruits!). We introduced a streamlined system for tracking hours and ramped up two-way communication, publishing a biannual Volunteer Newsletter featuring stories and tips directly from our volunteers. This year, 71 volunteers lent their time, including 20 who showed up consistently across multiple programs and seven proud graduates of the California Naturalist program.

WE HAD 71 CARING VOLUNTEERS DONATE THIER TIME AND PASSION!

Pints 4 The Park

Our annual Pints 4 the Park was held at the Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center. The evening brought together 143 guests for a lively celebration of the Park. This beloved fundraiser was not only a joyful gathering but also a successful way to support our programs and raise awareness about our mission.

Earth Day

A day of celebration and environmental stewardship with the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians. Events like these are an important reminder of the longstanding relationships between Indigenous communities and the land we now call the Park.

Annual Photo Contest

Our 18th annual Anza-Borrego Desert Photo Contest was a celebration of creativity and conservation that helps connect people of all ages to the Park. With 557 photo entries submitted, the contest captured the stunning diversity of the desert - from sweeping vistas and delicate wildflowers to elusive wildlife and dramatic night skies. View all the winners here!

SOME OF OUR 2024 PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS:

FINANCIAL REPORT

JULY 1, 2023 – JUNE 30, 2024

Anza-Borrego Foundation is fortunate to have the support and generosity of donors, volunteers, and various partners, which include California State Parks.

Consolidated results in our audited financial statement for the fiscal year 2023-24 show operating income at $2.1 million and operating expenses of $1.6 million. Operating income includes donations, contributions and memberships of $828k and investment income from board designated endowments and reserve funds of $840k.

As the official Park Partner, we are also the fiscal agent which supports the needs of the Botany, Archaeology, and Paleontology departments for the Park. We provide resources for unanticipated threats to the Park which are described in more detail in this annual report.

We believe that transparency is essential for ensuring accountability to our members, donors, partners, and the communities we work with as we believe that transparency is vital to enabling good performance and is the key to maintaining legitimacy and credibility. In this way, we can preserve the Park for generations to come.