2024 Desert Update

ISSUE NO. 93 2024

DESERT UPDATE Everything you need to know about Anza-Borrego Foundation and how we meet our mission to protect Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

TEACHERS WEEKEND OUT

Connecting our classroom to the desert Celebrate our educational successes with our Education Director........Pg.04

PRESERVING THE DESERT FOR GENERATIONS:ABF's Ongoing Land

Conservation Successes We continue our mission!............Pg.08 Photo: Garett Wood

RETAIL UPDATE

Commiting to a Sustainable Future Supporting our Park one water bottle at a time!................Pg.11

WHY I GIVE A Story by Todd Linke Connect with one of our amazing volunteer as he tells his ABF journey and his love for the Park...........Pg.17 Photo: Steve Koskella

Our Mission

Photo: Chris Jager

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A Letter From the President Anza-Borrego Foundation is in the midst of its five-year strategic plan — a critical point. During the first two years of that plan, efforts focused on building the staff and operational structure that would support our ambitious plans. Much of that is now in place and it is now time for action.

It wasn’t easy.

Sophisticated and robust software did not always smoothly integrate into the systems in place. Increases in the number of staff meant training and culture building. These issues are

Photo: Paulette Donnellon

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.”

Bill McDonald

common among organizations that are making change. Speedy and significant growth that comes in the process of building capacity is often the most difficult phase in an organization’s life.

In the pages that follow, you’ll see more specific information from ABF leadership and staff about those building efforts and the programs that will flow from them. You’ll see why we feel confident that the people and systems in place will provide you programs of interest and importance. And, through them, will accomplish our fundamental mission — “To protect and preserve the

ABF’s capacity building efforts are also reflected in changes to its Board of Trustees. In earlier days, ABF had a small staff and very limited financial resources.

Those who joined the board expected, and were expected, to assist in the operation of the organization. It was a “working board.”

Photo: Denise Zuranski

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With the resources available to hire more experienced staff, board members have become less involved in regular operations of ABF. We look for board members now to provide advice on strategy and operations.

That said, as you may know, each trustee has a fiduciary duty to the organization and its supporters. We have the obligation to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that ABF has the financial resources to operate its programs, that funds are acquired and expended responsibly, and that there are no conflicts of interest. To do that better, we invest our time in understanding our finances, strategic plan, programs and relationship with the Park.

Future board meetings and retreats will include or focus on education about broad issues in conservation and preservation, paleontology, botany and history, as well as retail operations, education and land acquisition. We also want our connection to the Park to include more personal and group experiences in its wondrous spaces.

Looking ahead, we anticipate a greater connection to you — the community, our members and donors, Park visitors and people around the country, and world, who find our mission compelling and significant. Our communications, we hope, will lead to deeper connections with the Park and the people who protect it.

I hope you find this newsletter important and exciting. Not the writing, maybe the photos, but especially the new ways ABF seeks to accomplish its mission. We look forward to your continuing support in this exhilarating endeavor. Thank you!

Bill McDonald President

Photo: Denise Zuranski

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Photo: Cliff LaPlant

Teacher’s Weekend Out

CONNECTING THE CLASSROOM TO OUR DESERT By: Samantha Young, Education Director Welcome to this update from the desert! I'm looking forward to sharing with you all what ABF's Education Department has been up to and what we are working towards. It has been my absolute pleasure to (re)build and grow this department during my last two years with ABF. Our mission is to get people outside, help others connect with nature, and protect the wildlands that keep this planet functioning biologically. To do this, we need to create opportunities for experiencing, adventuring, learning, and growing in the outdoors. I believe so strongly in this and have observed how essential it is to the future of humanity by watching program participants, friends, and family, including my five-year-old daughter, transform when outdoors.

Anza-Borrego Foundation has an ambitious and beautiful education strategic plan focusing on doing the above with our communities. Our strategic plan encompasses five program areas designed to connect people to an oft overlooked ecosystem in nature – the desert– through education programming that spans multiple mediums and reaches diverse audiences. These areas include Guided Outdoor Excursions, Research-Based Programs, Train the Trainer & Professional Development, School-Based Programs & Career Pathways, and Virtual Experiences. You've probably heard of some of our public education programs, and perhaps Camp Borrego Fifth-Grade Camp, as many of these have been running since the origin of our education department. But I want to offer you insight into something newer that we're putting our hearts into and where our goals will take us. We grew tremendously last year by tripling our education staff, offering twelve times the number of education programs 04

from the previous year, launching an official volunteer training program, reaching over 550 new desert visitors, beginning a field trip and camping program, and going from one to eleven free programs.

We continue to offer or build programs in all strategic program areas.

As I write this, we are going into our most ambitious year yet with around 120 education programs and outreach events. One such labor of love is an initiative called Anza-Borrego for All, which seeks to increase access to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park by providing free or low-cost programs for those communities that perhaps need the most support in accessing our State Park – that is, youth and groups underrepresented in the outdoors. Anza-Borrego for All promotes environmental stewardship by connecting students, teachers, and families to our local ecosystem, builds future advocates and decisionmakers for public lands, and enhances health and wellness by creating accessible outdoor activities that provide physical, mental, and emotional benefits. But don't take my word for it; do a quick internet search, and you'll find a myriad of research expounding on the benefits of being in nature on our bodies, minds, and communities. Or, check in with yourself. How did you feel the last time you walked outside, went hiking or camping with family or friends? Pretty amazing, huh?

We are uniquely positioned as the official partner of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. As such, everything we do supports the State Park's mission, including partnering with the California State Park PORTS program, which is also pioneering education in the Park and throughout California. As a nonprofit, we can dream big and directly target the community's needs, whether they are local people in the gateway community of Borrego Springs or the larger region that touches California's largest state park.

There are many unique things about the Park. One of our goals as a nonprofit is to share these incredible resources with the public and facilitate life-changing experiences for participants to discover the importance of this natural resource and lesser-known public land.

We also care immensely about bettering our community by bringing people outside to connect with nature, move their bodies, improve physical and mental health, and discover parts of themselves only found in nature. The Anza-Borrego for All initiative creates agency and confidence in the outdoors and reduces barriers to underserved communities in accessing the free resources in this Park and other public lands. Our programs create profound growth, ultimately bettering life for those they engage.

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So far, Anza-Borrego for All includes "Desert Discoveries" youth field trips, Camp Borrego Fifth-Grade Camp, teacher professional development workshops ("Anza-Borrego Teacher Symposium"), Family Camping, the Anza-Borrego BioBlitz, and Latino Conservation Week. I am proud of all these, but I want to focus on the Anza-Borrego Teacher Symposium and share the strides we've made in the last two years and the pride I feel for offering this experience. These Symposia are transformative professional development experiences for teachers in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, created from scratch out of the desert dunes by our trusted friend and retired educator and administrator, Erin English, along with the 100 plus teachers who have so far attended a symposium. I have been a classroom teacher myself and thus can attest to the value of my students and school attending an immersive, experiential learning opportunity.

Teachers embark on a three-day, two-night retreat in the Park with their grade level cohort, hosted at the UC Irvine Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center, and are treated to food, drink, presentations by expert naturalists, guided desert adventures, and collaborative curriculum development. We know from firsthand observation and teacher testimonials that the impact of these hands-on, field-based learning experiences have profound impacts on teacher effectiveness as an educator and environmental steward of this State Park and all protected lands. As one teacher participant shared: "There are no pictures, slides, videos, or words that can replicate the experience of actually being there. (…) I feel so connected to this place. Thank you for this gift!" Many of these teachers have never been to the desert before and leave the symposium with a new world of experiences and teaching opportunities opened to them.

These teachers become ambassadors to our precious desert and undoubtedly influence their students.

The impact these teachers have on our southern California communities is vast. In a single year, we host around 24 teachers for each of the three symposia, reaching between 30 and 150 students yearly (depending on the grade level). This comes out to as many as 10,800 students in one year who are at least peripherally connected with the Park and the outdoors. We plan to continue to run at least three Symposia every year and touch as many students in southern California as possible. We understand that teachers are pivotal in our children's lives, and by sharing the precious resources of the desert with them, we can continue to have a profound impact on our larger community.

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Photo: Chris Jager

The crux of it all is that our Teacher Symposia are extremely low cost for teachers and target a large proportion of Title I schools across Southern California, which are underresourced and primarily contain students who come from low-income areas. In the current educational landscape, there exist many challenges for teachers to provide highquality education for their students. While the drive and passion for teaching may be there, teachers are limited by time, curricular standards, and a need for more resources.

This affects environmental education and nature immersion, which need to be improved in many schools. Professional development enhances educational quality by providing teachers with knowledge, resources, and firsthand experiences. And we don't want cost to be a barrier for teachers to attend, which brings me back to you, dear reader. These Symposia, along with our other free or low-cost programming, are funded by grants and donations from the community. Each time someone gives to education at ABF, it goes to running programs like our Teacher Symposia and directly impacting the lives of those teachers and their students. We want our teacher attendees to be engaged, reenergized, and feel empowered to bring information back to their schools and classrooms.

Programs like the Teacher Symposium are high in our quest to share this incredible desert with new audiences and grow a love of nature that will change the planet. And not to worry, our public programs, hikes, guided drives, naturalist talks, and photography aren't going anywhere. These programs are the lifeblood of the Education Department. Your registration fees go directly towards implementation, and any excess funds support programs like the Teacher Symposia. In the coming years, you'll see my role as Education Director shift towards molding our department into one that is razor-focused on our mission of supporting the Park by bringing new audiences out to the desert or bringing the desert to them. Join us in this goal by attending an education program, becoming a member, or donating to our organization. We are eager to have you join us in shaping the future!

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Preserving the Desert for Generations: ABF's Ongoing Land Conservation Successes

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Imagine yourself in the vast, untamed beauty of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, knowing that every step you take is on land protected for you, your children, and future generations. This dream of preserving the Park's landscapes, wildlife habitats, and cultural heritage has driven us to work tirelessly towards making the Park 'whole' through strategic land purchases and donations. In 2023 and 2024, this dream took a significant leap towards reality.

Our land program operates with a clear and impactful mission: to protect and preserve the natural beauty, wildlife, and heritage of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for the benefit of present and future generations. Every acre of land we conserve shelters delicate ecosystems and habitats, such as endangered species like the Flat-tailed Horned Lizard and Peninsular bighorn sheep, two species whose survival depends on the Park's protections.

We secured 698.75 acres in 2023/2024 alone, bringing us closer to a unified, protected Park goal. Among these accomplishments was a particularly impactful land purchase in January 2024: 640 acres in Clark Dry Lake and Coyote Mountain, a region once a rock and gravel quarry but now a Peninsular bighorn sheep habitat. This area is now safely under Park protection, ensuring its wilderness status is preserved for perpetuity.

Julie Gerson, who led our land program for nearly a decade, retired in January 2024, passing the torch to Lino Morales, who assumed leadership in March. With his fresh perspective and passion, Lino continues the program's vital work, aiming to preserve the Park's breathtaking landscapes and biodiversity.

We are actively working on a land transfer package containing 3,156 acres into the state park's ownership, ensuring that these areas become protected, and permanent parts of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. This accomplishment means we can reinvest in future land purchases and continue its relentless efforts.

None of these accomplishments have come without challenges. Rising real estate prices since 2021 have made negotiations with landowners more difficult, as some have unrealistic expectations of land value. Title issues also present hurdles, especially when properties have been passed through generations without proper documentation.

However, we remain determined, working through each complication to secure land for the public good.

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Photo: Richard Knudson

In August 2024, an unexpected act of generosity transformed a routine land purchase into a story of community and conservation. We initially slated a ten-acre property near the scenic Fonts Point overlook to be purchased. After months of delays and complications, the sellers, unable to meet escrow's requirements, decided to donate the land instead. This gesture of goodwill completed the transaction and reinforced the community's commitment to protecting the desert for future generations. What began as a simple purchase evolved into a gift of generosity.

Every purchase, transfer, and preservation effort brings us closer to ensuring that AnzaBorrego Desert State Park remains a place of wonder for all who visit. From the towering cliffs of Fish Creek Wash to the peaceful stretches of Clark Dry Lake, these lands are being protected forever—so future generations won't encounter "No Trespassing" signs but instead find open trails and awe-inspiring desert landscapes.

With each success, we reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding one of California's most cherished parks. Through the dedication of our staff, donors, and supporters, the dream of making the Park whole is within reach. And while the work is far from finished, every acre preserved shows the power of collective action and is a gift to the future.

Together, we can ensure that this desert remains wild, beautiful, and accessible to all.

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Retail Update

Committing to a Sustainable Future:

As we embark on this new desert season, we look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors to both of our retail locations and aim to highlight all the themes that make Anza-Borrego Desert State Park so special. We’ll continue expanding our partnerships with mission-driven vendors who promote sustainability and conservation while raising funds that support the Park and education programming.

Last season, we supported our commitment to sustainability by installing a water bottle filling station at the Visitor Center. As a result, we’ve discontinued sales of single-use plastic water bottles and saved over 8,000 from potentially ending up in our local landfill. If you haven’t already, show your support the next time you’re in the Visitor Center and pick up a reusable water bottle to help support this initiative!

We also invite you to explore our expanded Jr. Ranger assortment, designed to engage our youngest park visitors and foster the next generation of desert enthusiasts.

We hope you’ll also visit us in town where we plan to stock additional inventory to keep you ready for your next desert adventure. Keep your eyes peeled for an upgraded assortment of outerwear for those cold starry nights in winter, and a new line of UV clothing to keep you protected in the hot desert sun.

Photo: Thomas Nash

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Welcome New Staff!

We’re excited to introduce the newest members of the Anza-Borrego Foundation team! Over the past year, we've welcomed several passionate and skilled individuals who are helping us build capacity to meet our ambitious fiveyear strategic plan goals. These talented new staff members are dedicated to supporting our mission and strengthening our partnership with Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. With their expertise and energy, we are more prepared than ever to grow our impact, enhance our programs, and continue protecting this extraordinary desert landscape for generations to come. Meet the team that’s helping to ensure ABF continues to meet our mission in new and creative ways!

Photo Judy Kramer

A native of Borrego Springs, Noelhy is ABF’s bookkeeper and office manager and has worked with us for one year. She efficiently tracks every dollar in and out of the organization and maintains our donor database, gift processing, and acknowledgments. Noelhy ensures that day-to-day office operations run smoothly and supports all departments with their administrative needs.

She is excited to contribute to the mission of preserving the unique and vital ecosystem surrounding Borrego Springs. Noelhy loves the raw beauty, and calming nature of Borrego. She wants her son to experience nature, and Anza-Borrego is just the place. looking forward to using her hiking shoes and poles when the weather cools down.

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Stacy is our community engagement coordinator. They oversee ABF’s outreach programs, business partnerships and sponsors, volunteer programs, and co-facilitate our California Naturalist course.

Born and raised in Thermal, Stacy’s love for the environment began at an early age and grew after moving to the San Fernando Valley, where they identified their love for the mountains and hiking. Stacy has built a diverse and impactful career, with a strong foundation in education and a commitment to community engagement and service.

Stacy is dedicated to promoting the outdoors to underserved youth and their community and feels inspired to work with an organization that embraces inclusion and seeks to enrich the lives of community members through conservation and education.

The newest member of our team, Emily, started her work as education coordinator in August. Emily is responsible for coordinating and facilitating ABF’s outdoor education programs for adults, K-12 schools, and teachers. She ensures the success of all programs, from start to completion.

Emily works as a hybrid employee from her home in San Diego, coming to the Park as needed for in-person events.

She said she appreciates the “immense peacefulness and quiet one can find in the Park—especially coming from a city.

Your stress leaves and you find that you can think more clearly.”

Emily has dedicated her career to the environment and is passionate about conservation. She holds a Master of Environmental Management degree and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Policy. In her first few months, Emily has enjoyed learning about all the cool programs we will be offering and looks forward to experiencing them as the season kicks off!

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“Lino the Land Man” began working for ABF in March to lead ABF’s efforts to protect and preserve the 14,000+ acres of critical inholdings still scattered throughout the Park.

We’re thrilled to have him join our team as land program administrator to continue our vital land conservation work.

Lino was born in San Bernardino, raised in the Mojave Desert and moved to the San Diego area in 2001. He brings experience from a career in financial risk management as a bank loan workout officer, which helped develop his meticulous attention to detail and skill to resolve complex situations with individuals from different backgrounds amicably. The desert has always felt like his home, and since 2017, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has become his sanctuary. He says, "I'm very grateful to align my career with my passion and am eager to contribute to Anza-Borrego Foundation's mission."

Photo Karl Kirkman

Terry joined the ABF team as finance director in April. As a CPA with a passion for nonprofit accounting, Terry oversees our short- and long-term financial planning, organizational budget, external audit, and financial reporting.

After moving to Borrego Springs full time from Portland, Oregon last spring, Terry has immersed herself in the community. Events at the library, reviewing films for the Borrego Spring Film Institute, and acting on the stage of the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center are just a few activities that keep her busy when not at work!

Terry shared, “I appreciate the sheer magnificence and beauty of being surrounded by the State Park.” She is looking forward to using her hiking shoes and poles when the weather cools down.

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We are not just growing in size, we are growing stronger, by investing in process, skills, technology, relationships and community.

Growth and impact have their phases, it doesn’t always look like what it will become, along the way. When we hold the vision, eventually the hard work pays off and the goals are achieved. Many of you have been with us all a long and others are new to this Park and ABF. Either way, I am deeply grateful for your support and patience, as we work diligently to fulfill our mission in ways that really matter, that make the impact that will leave a legacy for this incredible place of pure wilderness and wonder.

With gratitude,

Bri Fordem

Executive Director

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WHY I GIVE Photo: Cliff LaPlant

Photo: Nick Price

STORY BY TODD LINKE You and I may have something in common: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park feels very special to me, and I have a strong connection to this place. Although I'm sure our stories are unique, we all have that moment, that day, that trip, when the desert first captured our attention. And once it did, there was no turning back. Here's my story.

My first trip to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park was during the infamous Superbloom of spring 2017. To be specific, it was Saturday, March 17, and yes, there was a lot of traffic in town. My hiking buddy Craig decided to divert south to State Route 78, where we found some relatively unpopulated trails.

In recalling this day, I couldn't remember which trails he chose because Craig was using "Afoot and Afield" and navigating. Despite my fuzzy memory, I could still remember a few things like yesterday. My most vivid memories were seeing yellow-painted mountainsides as we descended Montezuma Grade, an abundance of trailside flowers I had never seen, and my first rattlesnake sighting. This place seemed distant and peculiar - I had never been to a desert before -- but I knew it was someplace that was both exciting and comforting. We visited three trails that day: Plum Canyon, Mine wash, and Narrows Earth Trail. Predictably, there were flowers everywhere. And the usual ubiquitous desert plants, like cholla, ocotillo, and barrel cactus. And, of course, every photo was colored by sun-soaked blue skies and beautiful mountain ranges. Nothing out of the ordinary, really, except for the higher-than-average quantity of flowers. But there was something special about that day, and it planted a seed that would sprout several years later.

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Fast forward to February 2021, after I acquired my first 4x4 off-road capable vehicle and was ready to explore the desert. I had been back to Borrego Springs a few times since that first trip, but only on the well-traveled routes and to the easily accessible places. My husband Javier and I visited Galleta Meadows for all the silly dinosaur pictures, and we hiked the Slot in 100°F weather. Mom and I visited the visitor center to enjoy their short nature trail, and then we went to the Palms Hotel for a soda with a view.

All were fabulous places, but not necessarily ambitious.

This time was different. Equipped with a few paper maps printed off the internet, some handwritten notes, and my memories of hours of YouTube videos about "how to off-road," Javier and I headed down Buttes Pass Road, into Hawk Canyon, then to San Felipe Wash.

I had the big idea that we would drive up Hills of the Moon Wash directly into the Badlands. Quite an aggressive route for newbies! Needless to say, I never found the wash and didn't even realize that the Badlands were right in front of us. The whole thing was a healthy combination of excitement and fun mixed with a dash of frustration and confusion. We still laugh about it to this day. But we eventually made it back up Blow Sand Canyon, across Goat Trail, and safely to the Slot parking lot. We enjoyed a fun hike through the Slot and played on the Honeycomb Rocks. Afterward, we returned to town, bundled up for the chilly evening, and enjoyed an epic sunset with the dinosaurs. Can we all agree that that was a pretty epic first day of desert exploring?! We were hooked!

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So that's my story of how we first connected with the Park. I can't say it happened all at once—there was a four-year span between hikes—but when I got hooked, I really got hooked. I wanted to be in the desert all the time. I thought about it. I planned for it. And I would look forward to returning visits with the excitement of a child anticipating their birthday party. At one point, we were going nearly every weekend. The two-hour oneway drive from San Diego still seems like a mere formality and all part of the day's fun. I estimate I've been back to the Park over 100 times. It has become a part of my life and a part of my soul. Every memory becomes a story of its own, with enough pages to fill a book. Everyone I've brought or interacted with becomes a character in this book. It's not a dramatization to say that this desert changed who I am.

There are many characters, including Javier, family members, and friends who have shared countless hikes and campouts, pleasant weather and wild weather, rainbows and wildflowers, and stiff necks from hours of staring up at the sky and sleeping in somewhat awkward positions. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing.

Except maybe the nighttime windstorms! One major player is my desert friend Shelley, who worked in the Anza-Borrego Foundation store at the time. I went in for some quick advice and left with a half-hour conversation worth of fresh new ideas and the anticipation of exploring the vast desert. That one chance meeting changed everything! I've returned to the store and the visitor center many times, making friendships and continuing to learn more about the Park. The ABF and Park staff are passionate about the Park, and their love of this place shines through like the bright desert sun.

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That's how I got involved with the ABF. Once I became a member, I started learning about their educational and adventure programs. I knew I was up for a hiking challenge, and this challenge was met by adventure hike leaders Mark and Sicco's challenging hikes. I've crab crawled to the top of Travelers Peak, hiked to Whale Peak in the snow, returned from Villager Peak in the dark, arrived at the Hellhole Canyon oasis from the "backside," and rock scrambled down an unnamed ravine from Pinyon Ridge. These hikes were memorable and exciting, but they didn't happen casually. I saw the time, effort, and passion invested by many ABF members and staff, which inspired me to become a monthly donor. This might be a cliché, but it's true: I wanted to give back to the organization that was giving so much to all of us.

I've seen ABF grow and expand its reach throughout the last few years, from member and adventure hikes to the return of off-road drives and night hikes. Last year, I became aware of another new initiative called FamCamp and volunteered in two campouts.

FamCamp is an all-inclusive experience designed for people who wouldn't otherwise go camping to immerse themselves in the desert. FamCamp leader Annie is a master at managing small and large groups, making them feel at home, keeping them well-fed, and showing them an excellent desert experience. I'll never forget my second trip with 40 students and chaperones from Orange Glen High School in Escondido. Being a lifelong camper and adventurer, as well as a 25-year educator, I knew the powerful positive impact that being in the outdoors can have on teenagers and adults alike, especially those without previous experience or the means to do it on their own. I didn't necessarily realize it then, but that campout was another game-changer.

That impactful weekend inspired me to give back even more. I saw students doing a lot of firsts that weekend: setting up a tent, hiking in the desert, eating s'mores, going on a night hike, gazing up at the moon and constellations, and interacting with each other with conversation and laughter. Not all students loved it equally, but I can guess they all had stories to tell, and these memories will live on for many years. The memories may have been free for the participants. Still, FamCamp is not and must be partially funded through ABF member contributions and grants.

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I approached my friend Jaime, an ABF staff member, about a matching fundraiser. She and her coworker Samantha enthusiastically supported the idea of matching fundraisers to support FamCamp. I'm happy to say that the matching fundraiser exceeded expectations, raising over $1,400 for FamCamp and $1000 for land conservation. It feels really good to give back to the Park, knowing that I'll leave an impression on this place and the students these donations help bring there.

I want people to know that the ABF is much more than land conservation. At the same time, this is important—to preserve the biological, geological, and archaeological treasures that lie within the Park—the ABF does so much more. It brings educational and adventure programming to visitors of all ages, outdoor abilities, and financial means.

What's more, the ABF staff has increased in number and energy to create a slew of new ways to explore the Park. There will be dozens of new opportunities this upcoming desert season. I have been increasing my volunteer efforts, and this coming season will be my best ever. I'm leading or supporting several hikes and off-road adventures, and believe me, it feels like a dream come true! I hope you take advantage of some of those opportunities, which you can read more about on their website.

My wish for the Park is that it continues to serve as a retreat for anyone who yearns to experience its magic. While we all come to the Park for different reasons—fun, adventure, beauty, and serenity, to name a few—my hope for you is that you find your reason and keep coming back. Hopefully, one day soon, like me, you'll be hooked, too—if you're not already!

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Outreach Update

BY STACY VALDEZ, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

As we kick off the 2024/2025 fiscal year, I'm excited to share the remarkable accomplishments of the Volunteer and Outreach Department this past winter/spring season. Our team has been hard at work this summer, and it's been a pre-season filled with enthusiasm and progress! ABF's Mission revolves around enhancing the Park's natural beauty and cultural richness while fostering community engagement. We continue to expand our outreach program, emphasizing education programming and access to the Park.

We focus on education, outreach, and volunteerism to ensure that visitors and locals alike can experience and appreciate the Park's unique offerings, grow love for the Park, and become future stewards. We've collaborated closely with the Education Department to refine our outreach and volunteer programs. This summer, we participated in several community events to raise awareness about the Park and its opportunities for exploration.

Looking forward, we are eager to deepen our involvement in Borrego Springs Springs and its surrounding areas and our partnership with the State Park. Our outreach will extend to community events in Julian, San Diego, Imperial County, and the Coachella Valley. Additionally, we have exciting family camping collaborations with groups from Los Angeles and Georgia. Reflecting on our past successes, I am filled with anticipation for what we can achieve together in this new season. Thank you for being an integral part of this journey!

Stacy Valdez Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator

Photo: Paulette Donnellon

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REACHING OUROUTREACH GOALS: STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS We are deepening our connections with the Native Peoples of this region by attending events like the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians' Earth Day celebration and the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians' Traditional Gathering.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT We introduced monthly Desert Connection Mixers to create informal networking opportunities for locals and foster discussions on supporting the Park and each other. We have received positive feedback and plan to continue them throughout the season.

OUTREACH INITIATIVES We stay active all year long by attending outreach events in San Diego County throughout the summer, even though it's our "off-season.” Keeping people aware of our mission and program offerings yearround

INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY Our engagement with new audiences at community events, including a family-friendly event at the Imperial Valley Desert Museum, has made the Park more accessible to those who may not have known about it.

Photo: Peggy Collins

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VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT Our newly formalized Volunteer Program has engaged 71 volunteers this year, including eight new members this Fall season and additional volunteers who participated through Zoom, in virtual training. This hands-on involvement allows us to enhance visitor experience and deliver high-quality programming.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT Collaborations with local businesses through our Borrego Partners program, have yielded sponsorship for events and event collaborations, reinforcing the community's commitment to ABF and the Park. Through our partnerships we aim to create more inviting spaces for community engagement and support the businesses that support the Park.

Photo: Paulette Donnellon

INSPIRATION FOR EVERYONE We are developing new programs designed to connect diverse audiences with the Park's natural and cultural resources, ensuring that everyone can participate in and benefit from these experiences. These include "chill" (easy) and intermediate hikes, beginner driving tours, and new programs like our Watercolor Painting class.

Photo: Kathy Heath

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Our Team Board of Trustees

Staff

Bill McDonald - President

Brianna (Bri) Fordem - Executive Director

Dave Van Cleve - V. President

Emily Blanchard - Education Coordinator

Linda Tandle - Secretary

Annie DeFino - Outdoor Educator

Janie DeCelles - Treasurer

Noelhy Delgadillo - Office Manager & Bookkeeper Karin Eugenio - Corp. & Government Affairs Specialist

Trustees Maris Brancheau, Esq. Ernie Cowan Stephanie DiPalma Paulette Donnellon Sharon Goldsmith Ben Kingsley Sergey Kusch Phil Pryde, Ph.D. Lynn Rhodes Wendy Youngren

Contact

Kathy Jorgensen - Foundation Ambassador Anja McGuire - Lead Foundation Ambassador Bob McGuire - Foundation Ambassador Terry Miley - Finance Director Lino Morales - Land Program Administrator Mario Mouett - Retail Director Jaime Purinton - Communications & Marketing Director Briana Puzzo - Operations Director Amanda Sweeting - Communications Coordinator Stacy Valdez - Community Engagement Coordinator Samantha Young - Education Director

(760) 767-0446 info@theabf.org

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2001, Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Become a Member Our greatest impact comes from people like you, individuals who have joined together to support the Park they love. theabf.org/membership

Volunteer with us

WAYS

TO GIVE

We rely on the dedicated support of volunteers to ensure the smooth functioning of our operations. Much of what is accomplished at ABF and in the Park is credited to our committed volunteers. theabf.org/volunteer

Leave a Legacy Leave a “forever gift” by designating Anza-Borrego Foundation as the beneficiary of your asset. Your gift ensures the wonders of the Park are here to contemplate and cherish for generations to come! theabf.org/legacy-society 25

EVERY PURCHASE SUPPORTS ANZABORREGO DESERT STATE PARK GOOD GEAR - GREAT CAUSE!

Now Online!

Free shipping at www.theabf.org/store with code: SHIP24

ABF STATE PARK STORE LOCATIONS The Mall 587 Palm Canyon Dr. #110 760-465-2605

Visitor Center 200 Palm Canyon Dr. 760-767-4205

WWW.THEABF.ORG

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