Annual Update 2021

ISSUE NO. 91 2021/2022

ANNUAL UPDATE Everything you need to know about AnzaBorrego Foundation and how we met our mission to protect Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in 2020/2021.

CAMP BORREGO'S FUTURE Building a permanent facility for Camp Borrego and more! pg. 4

YEAR IN REVIEW

Our 2020-2021 annual report. pg. 17

PROGRAMS IN THE TIME OF COVID Bringing the Park to the people. pg. 21

FROM THE PRESIDENT In the last issue, my predecessor, Dick Troy, described the several initiatives ABF was about to undertake as part of its new strategic plan. Then the pandemic hit.

Those initiatives, however, didn’t stop. They paused, but that was to await the resources generated by the transfer of 17,697 acres of land to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. That occurred in August, and it’s been “pedal-to-the-metal” since.

B o a rd of Trustee s Bill McDonald- President Lynn Rhodes- Vice President Linda Tandle- Secretary Janie DeCelles- Treasurer

T r u s tees Dick Troy Ernie Cowan Sharon Goldsmith, Ph.D Terry Hunefeld John Peterson Phil Pryde, Ph.D. Jim Smith Joan Schneider, Ph.D. Dave Van Cleve Mike Wells, Ph.D. Wendy Youngren Maris Brancheau, Esq. Paulette Donnellon

Staff Bri an n a ( Bri) Fordem- Executive Direc t o r Bri an a P u zzo- Assistant Executive Direc t o r Jul i e G e r son- Land Program Manager Laur e n S e xton- Administrative Assista n t Mari o M ouett- Reta il Manager Jai me P u r inton- Communications Spec i a l i s t Kend a l l A bady: Development Coordina t o r Kath y J o r gensen- Sales Associate Shel l e y A nderson- Sales Associate Anj a M c Guire- Sale s Associate Bob M c G uire- Sale s Associate Kate J u e n german- Sales Associate

C o n tact Anza-Borrego Foundation PO Box 2001 587 Palm Canyon Dr. STE #122 Borrego Springs, CA 92004 760-767-0446 www.theabf.org info@theabf.org

The contents of this newsletter provide you an overview of our progress in what have been troubling times for so many. I want first, in this space, to say a few words of thanks . . . to you. Faced with the prospect of no programs, Visitor Center closure, and few visitors, we were uncertain about our ability to continue to operate at more than a minimal level.

And we asked for your support.

Your response was generous. I want to convey the deep gratitude of the ABF staff and members of the board. Even better, I hope, the expanded programs, facilities and partnerships to come will demonstrate to you the value generated and sustained by your assistance.

I also want to commend and thank the ABF staff.

During these past months, they have been dedicated and resilient. Confronting circumstances foreseen by none and experienced by few before, they have responded in a professional and compassionate manner.

Back to stepping on the gas as an organization.

You will learn from the articles herein about exciting forward steps in new and different directions as well as advancements in the foundational activities of ABF. We encourage you to keep up-to-date with our progress and equally seek your input and feedback.

Though our optimism has sometimes been tested in recent months, I believe the entire ABF organization sees a brighter future for itself and, especially, the programs and initiatives about to blossom.

We believe your continuing support shows you share that positive vision for the work ABF does. And for that, I thank you again.

501(c)(3) Media Inquiries: jaime@theabf.org

Bill McDonald ABF President

CAMP BORREGO'S FUTURE Building a permanent facility for Camp Borrego and more!

By: Ernie Cowan

L o o k i n g t o t h e f u t u r e , l e a d e r s o f t h e A n z a - B o r r e g o Foundation are e x c i t e d a b o u t d e v e l o p i n g a s t r a t e g i c p l a n t h a t will emphasize education.

A s p a r t o f t h e n e w a n d e x p a n d e d A B F e d u c a t i o n program, the s t r a t e g i c p l a n i d e n t i f i e s s e v e n d e l i v e r y o p t i o n s . I n itially, ABF will f o c u s o n d e l i v e r i n g t h e f i r s t f o u r o p t i o n s w h i l e c o n tinuing d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e r e m a i n i n g t h r e e l a r g e r , l o n g -term education programs.

H e r e i s w h a t t h e E d u c a t i o n S t r a t e g i c P l a n e n v i s i o ns: 1. V i r t u a l p r o g r a m s , i n c l u d i n g h i k e s a n d c l a s s e s c o n ducted online 2. G u i d e d h i k e s a n d d r i v e s , e i t h e r w i t h k n o w l e d g e a ble leaders or self-led 3. C a m p i n g f o r y o u n g s t e r s a t C a m p B o r r e g o o r f a m ily camping 4. F i e l d d a y r e s e a r c h 5. M u l t i - y e a r c o m p r e h e n s i v e s c h o o l - b a s e d p r o g r a m with career pathways 6. S y m p o s i a f o r b o t h t e c h n i c a l a u d i e n c e s a n d t h e i nterested public 7. D e s e r t - t o - m o u n t a i n - t o - c o a s t c o m p r e h e n s i v e e c o system program A k e y e l e m e n t o f t h e o v e r a l l p l a n i s t h e r e t u r n o f Camp Borrego, b u t t h i s t i m e a s a p e r m a n e n t c e n t e r p i e c e o f a n educational effort f o c u s e d o n y o u n g p e o p l e , f a m i l i e s a n d e v e n t h e community of Borrego Springs. “ A s w e m o v e e v e r c l o s e r t o o u r g o a l o f a c q u i r i n g private i n h o l d i n g s w i t h i n t h e p a r k , o u r t r u s t e e s r e a l i z e h o w important it is t o e d u c a t e f u t u r e g e n e r a t i o n s a b o u t t h e d e s e r t , o ur natural e n v i r o n m e n t a n d o u r p a r k s , ” s a i d A B F P r e s i d e n t Bill McDonald.

A s e n v i s i o n e d , C a m p B o r r e g o w i l l p r o v i d e a p e r manent home for a n e x c i t i n g e d u c a t i o n p r o g r a m t h a t w o u l d i n c l u d e extended o u t d o o r e d u c a t i o n e x p e r i e n c e s f o r s c h o o l c h i l d r en as well as a f a c i l i t y t o h o s t s e m i n a r s , p a r k p r o g r a m s , f a m i l y c amping, social gatherings and community events. “ O u r p r i o r i t y i s t o c r e a t e a f a c i l i t y t o c o n t i n u e o u r Camp Borrego y o u t h e d u c a t i o n p r o g r a m , b u t t h i s i s a l s o s o m e t h i ng that can be a n a s s e t t o o u r c o m m u n i t y , ” s a i d A B F E x e c u t i v e Director Bri Fordem.

A n z a - B o r r e g o F o u n d a t i o n , i n p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h A n za-Borrego Desert S t a t e P a r k , B o r r e g o V i l l a g e A s s o c i a t i o n a n d B o r r ego Valley E n d o w m e n t F u n d , i s n o w w o r k i n g t o m o v e C a m p Borrego from c o n c e p t t o r e a l i t y . P l a n n i n g f o r t h e c a m p b e g a n several years

a g o w h e n s a f e t y c o n c e r n s h a l t e d t h e A B F y o u t h e ducation p r o g r a m d u r i n g e f f o r t s t o e x p a n d t h e e x i s t i n g c a mp. Camp B o r r e g o b e g a n i n 2 0 0 3 a n d h a s i n t r o d u c e d t h o u s a nds of y o u n g s t e r s t o t h e m y s t e r y a n d b e a u t y o f t h e d e s ert. “ W e w a n t t o c o n t i n u e t h a t a n d m a k e s u r e t h e r e i s a next g e n e r a t i o n t h a t a p p r e c i a t e s t h i s u n i q u e n a t u r a l e nvironment,” Fordem said.

A B F d i r e c t o r s w a n t e d t o s e e C a m p B o r r e g o r e t u r n since it provides a n o v e r n i g h t e x p e r i e n c e f o r f i f t h - g r a d e s t u d e n t s from schools in I m p e r i a l , R i v e r s i d e a n d S a n D i e g o c o u n t i e s . D u r i n g a three-day, t w o - n i g h t c a m p e x p e r i e n c e , s t u d e n t s h a d a c h a n ce to meet with p a r k r a n g e r s a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l s c i e n t i s t s , a n d l e arn about park a r c h e o l o g y , b o t a n y , p a l e o n t o l o g y , a n d b i o l o g y w hile enjoying hikes and desert exploration.

T r u s t e e s c o m m i t t e d f u n d s f o r t h e p l a n n i n g a n d d e sign of a p e r m a n e n t c a m p t h a t h a d b e e n h e l d p r e v i o u s l y i n tents or M o n g o l i a n y u r t s . G r a n t s h a v e b e e n s o u g h t t o h e l p with funding a n d t h e p l a n n i n g p r o c e s s h a s c l o s e l y i n v o l v e d S t a te Parks. ABF p l a n s t o l a u n c h a c a p i t a l c a m p a i g n e a r l y n e x t y ear as the effort moves closer to reality. “ O u r m e m b e r s w h o l o v e p a r k s a n d o u r d e s e r t h a v e long supported t h e w o r k o f A B F a n d w e h o p e t h a t t h e y w i l l s e e h ow exciting and i m p o r t a n t C a m p B o r r e g o i s t o t h e f u t u r e o f p r e s e r ving and p r o t e c t i n g o u r d e s e r t , ” s a i d A B F P r e s i d e n t M c D o n ald.

T h e C a m p B o r r e g o v i s i o n i s n o w c l o s e r t o b e c o m i ng reality as t e n t a t i v e d e s i g n p l a n s b e i n g p r e p a r e d b y S p u r l o c k Architectural f i r m s h o w w h a t t h e c a m p f a c i l i t y c o u l d l o o k l i k e . As envisioned, t h e c a m p w o u l d u l t i m a t e l y i n c l u d e s i x s l e e p i n g c abins, each c a p a b l e o f h o l d i n g s i x t o e i g h t p e o p l e , a n o p e n - air kitchen, o u t d o o r c l a s s r o o m s , a 2 , 5 0 0 s q u a r e - f o o t m u l t i - u s e building, r e s t r o o m s , W i - F i a c c e s s , a n e x p a n d e d t r a i l n e t w o rk, campfire c i r c l e a n d a t e r r a c e d o u t d o o r s e a t i n g a r e a . C a b ins would be r a i s e d f o u r f e e t o f f t h e g r o u n d t o p r o t e c t f r o m f l ash flooding, and t h e b u i l d i n g d e s i g n w o u l d b e s e n s i t i v e t o t h e c u l tural and natural content of the area.

F o r d e m s a i d t h e g o a l i s t o d o u b l e c a m p c a p a c i t y , provide p e r m a n e n t s t r u c t u r e s a n d m o r e p r o g r a m m i n g , a s well as increase p a r k a c c e s s a n d r e c r e a t i o n o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r B o r r ego residents a n d t h e p u b l i c . S h e s a i d t h e c a m p w o u l d l i k e l y b e built in phases, w i t h t h r e e c a b i n s a n d r e s t r o o m s p a r t o f t h e f i r s t p hase targeted f o r o p e n i n g t o t h e p u b l i c i n S p r i n g 2 0 2 6 . “ D e p e n d ing on grants, it c o u l d t a k e u p t o 1 0 y e a r s t o c o m p l e t e t h e w h o l e project,” she said.

T h e c a m p i s b e i n g p r o p o s e d a t t h e s a m e l o c a t i o n as the original c a m p , n e a r t h e P a l m C a n y o n T r a i l h e a d , b e h i n d t he public c a m p g r o u n d . T r a i l s w o u l d b e c o n s t r u c t e d o f c o mpacted, d e c o m p o s e d g r a n i t e t o p r e s e r v e t h e n a t u r a l l a n d scape, but allow f o r s a f e a n d e a s y h i k i n g , w h e e l c h a i r a c c e s s o r b i c ycles.

P u b l i c i n p u t h a s b e e n r e c o r d e d , a n d a r e p o r t p r esented in N o v e m b e r f o r p u b l i c r e v i e w . T h o s e a t t e n d i n g t h e public e n g a g e m e n t m e e t i n g s w e r e e n t h u s i a s t i c a n d s u pportive about the p r o p o s e d c a m p , b u t d i d a s k s o m e h a r d q u e s t i o n s . Concerns were r a i s e d a b o u t l i g h t i n g t h a t c o u l d p o t e n t i a l l y i m p a c t the dark night s k y t h a t a t t r a c t s s t a r g a z e r s f r o m a r o u n d t h e w o r l d . Night lighting is t o b e l i m i t e d t o s t a i r s a n d r e s t r o o m a r e a s a n d c o m ply with county r e g u l a t i o n s d e s i g n e d t o m i n i m i z e l i g h t p o l l u t i o n . T here was a q u e s t i o n f r o m o n e a t t e n d e e a b o u t e v e n t s t h a t w o uld conflict with t h e p e a c e a n d q u i e t o f c a m p , s u c h a s l o u d m u s i c . Anza-Borrego D e s e r t S t a t e P a r k S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , R a y L e n n o x s a i d any event p r o p o s e d f o r t h e c a m p f a c i l i t y t h a t w a s “ o u t s i d e of normal park activities would require a permit.”

W h i l e C a m p B o r r e g o i s t h e m o s t e x c i t i n g e l e m e n t of the ABF E d u c a t i o n S t r a t e g i c P l a n , i t i s j u s t t h e b e g i n n i n g . Member support, g r a n t s , m a j o r d o n o r s a n d t h o s e w h o s h a r e t h e v i sion of how i m p o r t a n t e d u c a t i o n i s t o t h e f u t u r e o f p a r k s a r e the ingredients t h a t w i l l a l l o w a l l o f t h i s t o b e c o m e r e a l i t y . T h e A n za-Borrego F o u n d a t i o n i s o n t h e m o v e . W e h o p e t o m a k e t h e future of parks a s w e w a n t i t t o b e , a n d n o t j u s t l e t i t h a p p e n . E ducation is key to t h a t e f f o r t , a n d y o u w i l l s e e t h a t p r o g r a m m o v e i n to high gear w i t h t h e h i r i n g o f a n A B F E d u c a t i o n D i r e c t o r e a r l y next year.

W e h o p e y o u j o i n u s . S t a y t u n e d , t h e r e i s l o t s m o re to come.

L e a r n m o r e a t h t t p s : / / t h e a b f . o r g / c a m p - b o r r e g o /.

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.

P h o to: T h o mas N a s h

WHY I GIVE

By Terry Hunefeld

I d iscov e r e d A n z a - B o r r e g o D e s ert S t a t e P a r k i n 2 0 0 0 , within a y e a r a f t e r m o v i ng my fami l y f r om M i c h i g a n to c o a sta l S a n D i e g o . T h a t w as t h e be g i n n i n g o f h u n d r e ds o f wee k e n d s o f w i l d e r n e ss b a c kpa c k i n g , h i k i n g a n d b a c k-c o u n t r y c a m p i n g i n t h e Pa r k b y m y s e l f a n d with my chil d r e n . E i g h t y e a r s a go —daug h t e r s s a f e l y o u t o f c o l leg e a n d s a f e l y o u t o f c o l leg e a n d i n c a r e e r s —my wife An n a n d I d e c i d e d t o r e t ire t o ma k e B o r r e g o S prings our permanent hom e.

Wheth e r h i k i n g , b a c k p a c king or driving in the Par k, I experience a p r o fou n d s e n s e o f d e e p gratitude for the dozens of men and women w h o - - o v e r t h e p ast 90 years – fought to make all this p o s sib l e . W e t r u l y “ s t a n d on the shoulders of giants.” Thanks to t h o se de d i c at e d m e n a n d women, the Park consists of more than 6 0 0 ,00 0 a c r e s o f p r o t e c t e d wilderness for us to explore and enjoy – a ll fo r f r e e .

A s my w a y o f g i v i n g b a c k to the Park, I joined the Visitor Center V o l unt e e r s s i x y e a r s a g o . That led to my becoming a certified S t a te Pa r k I nt e r p r e t i v e N a turalist, leading scheduled group i n t erpre t i v e hi k e s a n d p r o grams throughout the Park.

I support the mission of ABF with my time and pocketbook because I firmly believe that the more we can do to protect and preserve the Park, the greater the impact will be on future generations – in ways we can’t even imagine today.

Over ti me , I b e c a m e m o re active in supporting the Anza-Borrego F o u nda t i o n a n d i t s m i s s i o n to protect and preserve natural l a n dsc a p e s , w i l d l i f e h a b i tat and cultural heritage of Anza-Borrego D e s ert S t a t e P a r k . A s I b ecame more involved, I began providing c u s tom - t a i l o r e d , p r i v a t e Jeep and desert wildlife and plant tours o n beh a l f o f A B F f o r t h o s e visitors who wish to make a generous d o n ati o n t o A B F . I t ’ s a g reat opportunity to make new friends and s h a re th e wo n d e r s o f A n z a-Borrego Desert State P ark while raising f u n ds fo r A B F. I s uppor t t h e m i s s i o n o f A BF with my time and pocketbook b e c aus e I f i r m l y b e l i e v e that the more we can do to protect and p r e ser v e t h e P a r k , t h e g r eater the impact will be on future g e n era t i o n s – i n w a y s w e can’t even imagine tod ay.

Over th e p a st 4 0 y e a r s , I have served on numerous boards and d o n ate d t h o u s a n d s o f h o urs of my time to various organizations, b u t I ca n t h i nk o f n o n e more worthy than helping ABF accomplish i t s goal s .

Welcoming New Trustees:

NEW FACES

Wend y Y oungren Boar d M ember

Mari s B r a ncheau, Esq. Boar d M ember

Paul e t t e Donnellon Boar d M ember

NEW FACES

Welcoming New Staff:

Kate J u e n german Seas o n a l Sales Associate

Jai me P u r inton Comm u n i cations Sp ecialist

Kend a l l A bady Deve l o p ment Coor dinator

Shel l e y A nderson Seas o n a l Sal e s A s sociate

O n A ug us t 11, 202 1 t he tr ans f e r of 1 7, 597 a cr e s of f orm e r l y pr i v ate i n hol d i ng s f r om A nz a-Borre g o F ound a ti on to t h e St ate Par k w as com pl e te d . Th e l an d s i n th i s tr a ns acti on r e pr e s e nt ove r a quart e rce n tury of d e d i cate d pl anni n g and w or k. Som e par ce l s i n the t ra ns f e r w e r e pur chas e d by A B F as e a r l y as 1 992, w i th th e m os t re ce n tl y acqui r e d i n 2016. The 331 par ce l s cont a i n e d i n th i s l a nd tr ans f e r r e pre s e n t t he l ar g e s t an d m os t com pl e x t r a ns a cti on e v e r be tw e e n a n on -pr of i t s t at e par k pa rt n e r a nd C al i f or ni a St ate Par ks .

A ccor d i ng l y , on e of th e m os t i m port an t e l e m e nt s of our m i s s i on h e re at A nz a-B orr e g o Foun d at i on i s t o s e cure l an d f r om w i l l i n g s e l l e r s an d d on ors f or e ve n tual tr an s f e r to A n z aBorre g o D e s e r t Sta te Pa r k. Si n ce A BF ’s f or m at i on i n 19 67, m ore th a n 5 5 ,0 0 0 acr e s of cri ti cal i n hol d i n g s h ave be e n acqui re d to pr ot e ct r e s our ce s an d i m prov e t h e m an a g e m e n t an d ope r ati on of t he Par k. Th e s e acqui s i t i on s have ra n g e d f r om th e R i v e r s i d e C ount y l i ne i n t h e N or t h t o the Me x i can Bor d e r . T h e y i ncl ud e prope rt i e s i n t h e i con i c are as of t h e Par k, i ncl ud i n g B or r e g o Pal m C an y on , t h e Borre g o Ba d l a n d s , and C oy ote C an y on, to na m e a f e w , a nd cont a i n cr i t i cal nat ur al re s ource s , cul tur al s i t e s , an d habi ta t f or e n d an g e r e d s pe ci e s .

Nearly 10,000 acres of this transfer are designated State Wilderness Areas.

Thi s tra ns f e r “d i s s ol v e s ” 310 m i l e s of pr i v at e pr ope rty boun d ar i e s , d e cre a s i n g par k pat r ol an d m an a g e m e n t cos ts .

O ur s t ory d oe s n ot Hund r e d s of e n d w i th t hi s hi s tor i c acr e s i n t he tran s f e r! W e s ti l l h av e tr a ns f e r e xpan d a l on g w ay to g o t o and pr ote ct t he m ake th e Par k “F l ow e r F i e l d s ”, e col og i ca l l y a n d a pr e ci ous e cog e og ra ph i cal l y s y s te m and w h ol e . O ve r 1 4 ,0 0 0 popul a r acre s of cr i ti ca l d e s ti nati on i n i nhol d i n g s r e m ai n the s pri ng . s cat te re d thr oug h out the Park. Si x cr uci a l are as i n t h e Pa r k cont a i n s i g n i f i cant con ce n t r ati on s of i nhol d i n g s . T he s e ar e a s ar e al l ri ch i n n atur al , s ce n i c, pal e on t ol og i cal , a nd g e ol og i cal re s ource s an d i n cl ud e i m por ta nt cul t ur al s i t e s and pr i m e habi t at f or e n d an g e re d pl an ts a n d an i m al s .

Future Land Acquisition Focus Areas

Northern Coyote Canyon: 1,100 acres

Clark Dry Lake: 1,200 acres

Glorietta Canyon: 100 acres

Kane Springs Road: 600 acres

Borrego Badlands: 1,800 acres

Old Springs Corridor: 1,000 acres

W e ha ve not com e t hi s f a r w i thout t he g e ne rous he l p of Park s upporte rs l i ke y ou. He l p us f i n i s h the j ob. Your f i nan ci al s upport w i l l al l ow us t o f ul f i l l our l ong -s tan d i ng d r e am of m aki ng th e pa r k w h ol e . A nz aBorr e g o D e s e r t Sta te Park ne e d s y ou!

“What a lonely place it would be to have a world without a wildflower!”– Roland R. Kemler

A YEAR IN REVIEW

July 2020-June 2021

Our Growing Staff in November 2021

The support of friends of Anza-Borrego Foundation, assistance from nonprofit organizations and federal programs, as well as good fortune, enabled ABF to weather the COVID-19 pandemic successfully in 2020-21. Response to our request for additional contributions in the summer of 2020 was enthusiastic. The donations were much appreciated and had significant impact.

ABF was provided two federal Payroll Protection Plan grants, which allowed it to do just what the grants were meant to accomplish — meet payroll. ABF laid off no employees and repayment of each grant, originally intended as a loan, was later forgiven. An application to the San Diego Foundation in a joint effort with Mission Driven Finance to support nonprofits in San Diego, resulted in loan of $300,000 at zero interest for a two-year term. This loan too, provided ABF with a layer of protection during tenuous times. Overall, ABF was able not only to survive, but to advance.

17

12

Board Members

Sales 20%

TOTAL REVENUE

Staff Members

Grants 3% Planned Giving 19%

Contributions 24%

Investment Earnings 30% Membership 4%

TOTAL EXPENSES

Interpretive Sales 19%

Research Grants Land Acquisition 1% 10%

Park Support 22% Fundraising 14%

Education & Outreach 5% Administration 29%

REIMAGINE

2020 brought many opportunities for us to reimagine how we met our mission.

Developed new online store platform to bring product to those who could not visit the park Created new store product in partnership with Leave No Trace to support changed visitor behavior Started Regional Parks Grant Application to fund the new Camp Borrego facility Completed phase one of a three phase education strategic plan process Received grant funds to buy video equipment to support increased virtual Park access Completed a five-year Strategic Plan Direct Park Support: Installed touchless, COVID safe doors at the Visitor Center

ENGAGE

Engaging the public is the core of our work; it's how we educate, inspire and build future advocates.

1,103 attendees registered for the Anza-Borrego: InFocus virtual series Partnered with Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to teach desert specific principles to recreate responsibly 320 participants in our 2021 Photo Contest Hired Communications Specialist to upgrade communication strategy and inspire the public 23 Students from local Borrego Springs Elementary School participated in Camp Borrego Awarded $9,857 in scholarships to support: Conservation Research Archaeological Research

Direct Park Support: Purchased supplies for 4th grade Junior Ranger Program Funded salaries for two Park Interpretive Staff at the Visitor Center

CONSERVE

It is only through conservation that this land will be available for future generations to experience.

Advocated to protect water and land from solar/wind farms and water pipelines Transferred 17,597 acres to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to be protected in perpetuity Acquired 785 acres of private inholdings Supported Park staff with restoration efforts in Sentenac Cienega Direct Park Support: Program and supply support for Paleontology & Archaeology labs Visitor Center museum taxidermy maintenance

No person and no organization can express pleasure about what took place as a result of the pandemic. If ABF received assistance that allowed it to operate without significant negative effect on personnel and programs, which it did, that does not diminish the negative effects of the pandemic on so many individuals and their families and the impact of the response to it on business, culture and family. We will never forget that hundreds of thousands of Americans and millions of people worldwide suffered greatly from this virus. The world, for all of us, changed dramatically.

With hope that, as a society and world, we are coming closer to managing the impact of the virus, ABF also recognizes that some changes have occurred that put the natural world, and the desert in particular, greater in importance to more people. We have seen more first-time visitors to AnzaBorrego Desert State Park, new people interested in conservation and, yes, new people willing to support Anza-Borrego Foundation's goals and programs.

It is our obligation to use these new levels of awareness and support to expand programs and partnerships that help to fulfill ABF’s mission. You will see in the coming months initiatives, particularly in education, but also in land acquisition and expansion of the Park. You will see an Anza-Borrego Foundation with greater capability to fulfill its mission and accomplish new goals that benefit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and its environs.

IIf you'd like to contribute to our work, please click here.

Photo: Duncan Sinclair

PROGRAMS IN THE TIME OF COVID Anza-Borrego: In-Focus Virtual Series

When COVID restrictions put an end to all in-person events, we had to find a way to bring the Anza-Borrego: In Focus Series, normally an in-person program, to the people.

Our solution?

Go virtual!

We brushed up our Zoom skills and put together two virtual webinars; "What You Need to Know About Ocotillos Before You Die", with James Cornett, and "The Desert Underground", with Robin Kobaly. N O M A D I C | 2 4

These webinars were our two most attended events to date!

We saw roughly an average of 471% increase in registrations and 250% increase in attendance over the past inperson Anza-Borrego: In-Focus series. By having these programs virtually, it opened up access for a whole new audience to be able to participate. From the comfort of their home, anyone with access to a computer and the internet could now enjoy these great webinars and learn about the desert without having to be here in person.

Post webinar surveys showed that participants enjoyed the webinars immensely. 82% were very satisfied with the information given in the webinars. 77% rated the

"The speaker was so knowledgeable and her passion for the desert was inspiring. I learnt a lot and I'm so glad I was able to attend!"The Desert Underground Participant webinars a 10, on a scale of 110.

Many had positive comments on the quality of the information and the interesting topics. In fact, they were so successful, we plan to keep the virtual webinars moving forward and are working towards creating a "hybrid" version of both in-person and virtual for the best of both worlds.

Make sure to keep an eye out for the next Anza-Borrego: InFocus Series coming in 2022!

ANZA-BORREGO: IN-FOCUS STATS

Total Registrations

Total Attendees

2019

2021

193

1,103

193

667

SHOP ABF AND SUPPORT THE PARK! CUTEST SOCKS EVER

LEAVE NO TRACE GEAR

TEES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

CAMPING BUDDIES

State Park Store 587 Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 110 Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center 200 Palm Canyon Drive Borrego Springs, CA 92004

STORES OPEN DAILY 9 AM - 5 PM SHOP ONLINE AT WWW.SHOP.THEABF.ORG