Spring 2014 Newsletter

No. 77 Spring 2014

PHOTOS, DAVE VAN CLEVE

Striving to Complete the Vital Land Acquisition of Lucky 5

by Dave Van Cleve

Anza-Borrego Foundation currently has an exceptional opportunity to complete a very important land acquisition. Former ABF President

Ralph Singer is leading the Foundation’s efforts to protect the remaining portion of the Lucky 5 Ranch in the Laguna Mountains. If achieved, the acquisition would be the culmination of a 40-year effort to secure this beautiful and biologically important 4,245-acre ranch!

The entire property runs alongside both Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park near Sunrise Highway in the Mt. Laguna area. Fortunately the Daley family, who currently owns the ranch, and previous owners have all provided exceptionally conscientious stewardship of this magnificent land over many decades.

Anza-Borrego Foundation played a crucial role in buying almost two-thirds of Lucky 5 Ranch from the Daleys and incorporating that land into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in 2001. It is ABF’s desire to now purchase an additional 1,170 acres that Mrs. Barbara Daley, who represents the ownership trust, is willing to sell.

The ranch was first homesteaded in 1860 by the Harper family, who built a home and some ranch buildings in the Rattlesnake Valley. They sold it to Charles Luckman in 1940.

Charles and his wife had three sons, so he changed the name of the ranch to “Lucky 5” to reflect the name and size of his family. Luckman, who was mainly based in New York, built the ranch house (that still stands today) as a summer home. The Luckmans sold it to Lawrence Daley in 1950.

 The first Harper homestead, around 1865

 The Lucky 5 Ranch gate, from an old black and white photo

Why Lucky 5?

In the early 1970s, Lucky 5 Ranch was being considered for addition to the State Park System due to its scenic qualities, its size and location, and its natural and cultural richness. As State Park budgets shifted and acquisition  The Luckman’s living room priorities changed, Lucky 5 never continued on page 4 www.theabf.org

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From the President Guess what? I am your new ABF Board President, and I am glad to serve you! Of course I am standing on the shoulders of Ralph Singer, our past President, as well as all of the ABF leaders who have come before. Thanks are owed to all of them.

BOARD of TRUSTEES: Jim Smith PRESIDENT

Dick Troy

VICE PRESIDENT

Delores Lukina

VP OF ACQUISITIONS

Bill Reavey SECRETARY

Joanne Ingwall TREASURER

TRUSTEES: Nicholas Clapp Ernie Cowan Al Ducheny Sharon Goldsmith Diane Hydoski Bill McDonald John Peterson Ralph Singer David Van Cleve ABF STAFF: Paige Rogowski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Joan Carskaddan

TOUR COORDINATOR

Briana Puzzo

EUCATION MANAGER

Tracie Cofer

STAFF ASSISTANT

Bri Fordem

DONOR RELATIONS MANAGER

Emi Gates

SALES ASSISTANT

Ashley Kvitek

EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Chris Rogowski

INTERPRETIVE SALES MANAGER

Janice Smith

CAMP COORDINATOR

ANZA-BORREGO FOUNDATION 587 Palm Canyon Drive #110 & 111 Borrego Springs, CA 92004 (760) 767-0446 www.theabf.org info@theabf.org Anza-Borrego Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt [IRS code 501(c) (3)] charitable organization DESERT UPDATE: Bill McDonald, Paige Rogowski EDITORS The Bloom Organization

GRAPHIC DESIGN Printed in U.S.A. on 50% postconsumer recycled paper.

New is everywhere. New season, new board members, new fifth graders in Camp Borrego, new acquisitions of land, new questions to be answered about continuing mysteries in the badlands, a new batch of 8,000 kids reached in our Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students program… Okay, that’s enough, but there is so much more!

By the time you read this report, much will have been accomplished, such as our annual ABF fundraising gala honoring 10 years of Camp Borrego. We are all so thankful to our camp donors for their support! Michael McCormick gave a wonderful guitar performance at the Performing Arts Center with all proceeds benefiting ABF and its efforts. The Photo Contest showing off our Park in all its splendors completed another great run at Borrego Art Institute. Tony Feathers headlined his songwriting and musical talent with a concert benefiting who? Our up-and-comers: the Junior Rangers! And, I hope you didn’t miss Untold Stories starring past ABDSP luminaries regaling us with epic tales from our colorful history.

Let me introduce a couple of new ABF Board members like Dave Van Cleve.

Remember him? He ran the place! Dave spent the last 14 years of his State Parks service as our Park and District Superintendent prior to Mark Jorgensen. Now who else would you want on your board?

Our other fantastic addition is Sharon Goldsmith. By the time I finished reading her CV, I was another year older. Holder of a PhD, author of over 100 articles, papers and chapters on setting standards in education, and president of her own international educational consulting firm. Whew, again, that’s enough. EXPECT RESULTS, folks.

What are our challenges? ABF has one job. Support and preserve our Anza-Borrego Desert State Park! We purchase private land that resides within or contiguous to our Park so as to make it whole. For example, we are gaining ground on phase two of the purchase of the Lucky 5 Ranch. The original purchase linked our Park with Cuyamaca Rancho State Park so that everybody from foxes to lizards could come on through! At ABF we also seek to educate our constituents — both children and adults — so that our Park will be preserved forever.

If you haven’t already bought and read Ernie Cowan’s wonderful book on the beauties of our Park, Anza-Borrego, A Photographic Journey, you have missed something great.

On the dust jacket is a quote from a fellow conservationist, Baba Dioum, that I will never forget:

“ In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.”

That is us, folks, and we need YOU! Thanks, Jimmy Smith, ABF President

Annual Report The Annual Report will be released in October for the calendar year of 2013 and the 2013-14 fiscal year. The change will align the Annual Report with ABF’s fiscal year.

six sturdy American-made Yurts — and the fifth graders now sleep in relative comfort. The camp kitchen and distance to restrooms have also seen improvements.

Superintendent’s Corner

by Kathy Dice, ABDSP Superintendent It is hard to believe that Camp Borrego is celebrating its 10th year in 2014. The idea of providing a desert camping experience to area fifth graders began with Anza-Borrego Foundation Board member Al Ducheny, his wife (then State Senator Denise Ducheny), and former ABDSP Superintendent Mark Jorgensen. They looked at locations all around Borrego Palm Canyon and finally settled on creating the camp right in the center of the existing campground facilities.

The Ducheny’s passion for providing a desert experience for the underserved children of Imperial and San Diego counties led them to leap into fundraising for their mission. ABF also jumped in to provide support for the project and soon the fifth grade camp — dubbed “Camp Borrego” — was born.

The first few years of the camp were primitive by comparison to now: There were dome tents that slept 4-6 kids each, an open camp kitchen and restrooms located a short walk down the trail. Oh, the stories we could tell… but no matter what challenges the staff was dealt from week to week, each three-day camp brought the same joy of adventure and learning to every successive group of fifth graders.

Within a couple of years, authentic Mongolian Gers inspired

by Anza-Borrego’s sister park, Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, arrived. They were beautiful to see and thrilling to use, but it was discovered that we also needed authentic Mongolians to help us maintain them correctly! So ABF has now invested in

2014 Colorado Desert Natural History Research Symposium

San Diego County Board of Education and State Park staff continue to provide exciting environmental education programs for each arriving class. Ten years later it is still true that most of the children we see have not been in a desert or even had an outdoor adventure before attending this camp.

Camp Borrego is made possible by the support of ABF and generous donors (like you?), and the park staff salutes all that ABF continues to accomplish in providing this amazing experience for hundreds of fifth graders each year!

Park experiences for children do not end there. ABF also assists Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in funding the PORTS (Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students) program, which reaches into classrooms all over California to provide an interactive State Park learning adventure aligned with state-mandated science curricula. Our remarkable staff members share and communicate about park resources and values with over 12,000 children in their classrooms each year. Wow! Thanks once again to ABF for helping to keep this valuable program alive.

Our park staff and volunteers at the Visitor Center also enrich the lives of local fourth graders with the Friday afternoon Junior Ranger Club. Each week the kids learn about a different aspect of the Park and its resources, which culminates in late spring with a hike to the Borrego Palm Canyon Oasis to give them a chance to apply all they’ve learned to what they see in the canyon. They are rewarded for their hard work with a hot dog and marshmallow roast at the campfire center following the hike. Once again, this is all made possible by ABF’s support for educational programs.

Thank you, Anza-Borrego Foundation, for all you do to support us as our park partner! 

Nature Writing Workshop

November 7-9, 2014

Judy Fort Brenneman February 8-14, 2015

Join Anza-Borrego Foundation for a weekend devoted to current natural history research here in our beautiful Colorado Desert region. There will be a poster display, a day of lectures on various current research projects by field experts, a banquet dinner and plenty of time to learn about the natural history of our fragile desert.

This week-long writers’ retreat will offer time to write, reflect and explore the inspiring landscapes of Anza-Borrego — a welcome relief after the rush of the holiday season. Participants will enjoy daily focused workshop sessions, one-on-one guidance with the insructor and two trips into the Park. This is an open workshop appropriate for writers of all levels and genres.

Mark Your Calendar!

Daybreak over Font’s Point, BILL DAHL

Striving to Complete the Vital Land Acquisition of Lucky 5 continued from page 1

quite made it above the cutoff line for approval.

Then in the late 1990s, when I was the Superintendent for the Colorado Desert District, a major donor visited Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and asked if I had time to take him on a hike. We went to the south fork of Palm Wash, since he had never before experienced that beautiful canyon. While walking, he asked me my highest priority for Anza-Borrego land acquisition. Without hesitation, I told him Lucky 5 Ranch, which lies between the Anza-Borrego Desert and Cuyamaca Rancho State Parks.

Why was that my choice?

First of all, its purchase would create a wildlife corridor — a continuous connection of publicly protected lands — between Anza-Borrego and Cuyamaca. See, in the 1990s, a major shift in park planning had evolved. Rather than continue to establish “stand-alone” parks, a primary goal became to connect existing open space reserves. The connections did not need to be between two state parks, just between two established preserves. Connecting a state park to forest service land, a national park to a county park, a fish and wildlife refuge to BLM wilderness — all these actions had conservation value. In addition, they were usually less expensive and more efficient.

So the opportunity to provide a wildlife corridor from the desert floor to the Laguna Mountains was very exciting.

Besides this new state park corridor, a connection to the Cleveland National Forest would also exist.

Acquiring the ranch would also expand the system of riding and hiking trails within the two state parks and perhaps provide excellent potential for several animal species to relocate due to the effects of climate change.

The donor said he wanted to place “a major gift” of $2,000,000 to assist with the effort to protect this property.

I told him I was not even sure if it was for sale and, even if it were, what the sales price would be. He was very 4

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sophisticated in his understanding of the transaction and funding processes for large tracts of land, so those were not big issues. He did ask if the Anza-Borrego Foundation had the capacity and expertise to pull off such a large deal; I told them that ABF had the capacity and could hire the expertise. He was satisfied with that response, and we were off to the races.

I immediately called the ABF President at the time, Ralph Singer, and asked if the Foundation would be willing to take the lead on this real estate transaction, and I could feel Ralph’s excitement for this potential deal come through the phone. ABF engaged the services of a conservation lands real estate broker, Kevin Knowles, and Ralph got the deal rolling.

Closing the Initial Deal Ralph, Kevin and I became the team to determine how to effect this important transaction. Lawrence and Barbara Daley, owners of the 4,245-acre ranch, were willing to sell 2,675 acres, or 63% of it, to the Foundation at that time.

In addition to the $2,000,000 private gift, the Foundation had to raise another $3,590,000 to close the deal. Through a combination of federal and state grants, along with some unrestricted ABF funds, the Foundation was able to close the deal in 2001, and the lands were transferred to the State to be included in the Park. Executive Director Linda Tandle also carried out a major part of the grant writing and behind-thescenes negotiations.

Although we were disappointed at the time that we were not able to acquire the entire ranch, we able to secure enough of the property to achieve several management and conservation goals. And in the backs of our minds, we knew we could always return later and see if the owners were willing to sell the remaining portion of the ranch.

Achieving Management & Conservation Goals As noted above, the purchase of two-thirds of Lucky 5

Ranch created an unprecedented wildlife corridor between the desert floor of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the Laguna Mountains.

After acquiring the land in 2001, the parks department built a day-use parking lot for trail access, equestrian trailer parking, restroom facilities and trail signage along the Sunrise Highway (County Highway S-1). These changes allow recreationists today to access trails to Cuyamaca Lake, the Pacific Crest Trail and the California Riding & Hiking Trail.

the Foundation has agreed to purchase a conservation easement that will be attached to that 400-acre parcel. This conservation easement is like other easements in that it will exist in perpetuity and provide certain rights to both parties (the Daleys and the Foundation).

The language of every conservation easement varies; in this case, the Daley family still owns the 400-acre property and can live in the ranch house and enjoy the use of their ranch, exactly like they are doing currently. In reality, nothing much will change in the near future. However, the language The Lucky 5 property supports of the easement will prevent family abundant wildlife such as golden members and future generations eagle, mountain lion, bobcat, gray of family members (or successor fox, mule deer and numerous species owners) from subdividing the of reptiles and birds. The ranch property, constructing new structures is habitat for a state endangered outside a “building envelope,” or plant (Parish’s meadowfoam) and conducting activities that have a federally listed species (San a negative impact on the area’s Bernardino blue grass). conservation values. The easement  Wildflowers on the Lucky 5 Ranch Due to climate change, species adds a layer of conservation in many ecosystems have to relocate hundreds of miles protection while still affording the property owners the to find suitable habitat; in steep ranges like the Lagunas, ability to enjoy the ranch’s amenities. however, we believe that some species will be able to adapt The opportunity to acquire the 1,170 acres along with the to climate pressures by moving only a few miles upslope. conservation easement also means the Foundation needs This hypothesis needs to be tested and affirmed, but now to raise funds again to complete this transaction. The total we have a permanently protected corridor and, due to the project cost is estimated at $3,191,000 and includes the establishment of the Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert purchase of the land as well as closing costs, reports, legal Research Center in Borrego Springs, UC Irvine should be able fees, personnel and other expenses associated with the to provide a number of students who may adopt this area as acquisition. Due to very generous grants from The Nature part of their research and study plans.

Conservancy, Resources Legacy Fund and private donations, The Opportunity Today the Foundation has raised nearly half of the total project costs.

Mrs. Barbara Daley, who represents the ownership trust, has If you are interested in supporting this special acquisitions agreed to sell 1,170 acres of the remaining 1,570 acres at the project, please contact Paige Rogowski at (760) 767-0446.

Lucky 5 Ranch to the Anza-Borrego Foundation. For the 400 We welcome your support of this incredible opportunity to acres that will still be privately owned by the Daley family, complete the 40-year journey to conserve the Lucky 5 Ranch! 

www.theabf.org

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2014 Desert Hostels Escape to the Land of Alpenglow

An Introduction to the Dynamic Outrcrop Geology Between Owen’s Valley and the Sierra Nevada, California’s Easternmost Frontier Paul Remeika August 7-14, 2014 $1,395 per person

$350 single person supplement; $200 deposit required

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oin earth scientist Paul Remeika on a seven-day, two-wheel-drive geologic trek across the uneasy crust of California’s easternmost frontier. This trip explores the dynamic outcrop geology between the subsiding Owen’s Valley and the uplifted tiltblock of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

We will follow immense earthquake fault escarpments through the boulder-strewn Alabama Hills to the Volcanic Tableland north of Bishop, California. Witness the volatile volcanic terrain inside the Long Valley Caldera and its Resurgent Dome from atop Mammoth Mountain and Obsidian Dome. This active quaternary volcanic center was created by a catastrophic eruption some 750,000 years ago that sent tremendous ash clouds into the atmosphere, blanketing much of the western United States, including the Anza-Borrego Desert.

Enjoy a canoe adventure on Mono Lake as we paddle through the magnificent tufa pinnacles that line its south shore. The glaciated countryside of Yosemite National Park is examined above Tioga Pass with a hike to Lembert Dome. Other points of interest include Tenaya Lake, Glacier Point, the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees, and Yosemite Valley’s Vernal and Nevada Falls, on the trail up to Half Dome. Visits to Manzanar National Historic Site, the Bristlecone Pine Forest, Devil’s Postpile National Monument, the Mono-Inyo Craters, and Bodie State Historic Park are also planned.

What is included: Accommodations – two nights at Best Western Frontier Inn, Lone Pine; two nights at Best Western High Sierra Inn, Mammoth

Lakes; two nights at Boulder Lodge at June Lake; two nights at Southgate Inn, Oakhurst. All rooms are non-smoking double occupancy with limited single availability.

Tour price includes sack lunches, all local event fees, a descriptive daily travelogue, and final group dinner.

What is not included: Breakfasts and dinners are on your own. This frees participants to enjoy eating when and where they prefer, and choose the foods and portion size they desire. Since many restaurants are unable to accommodate large groups eating together, this has been a favorable solution. Most lodges included expanded continental breakfast. National Park Service Fees, alcoholic beverages, and tips to local guides are also not included.

Participants provide their own transportation and travel in their own 2WD high-clearance vehicles. We expect to travel at least 200 miles during the trip and vehicles should be well maintained and in good working order. Expect some improved gravel roads.

Physical Difficulty: Short hikes to points of interest can be on uneven terrain within close proximity to the vehicles. Planned hikes are about one mile each way. 

For more information or to register for either of these programs, visit us online at www.theabf.org/events or call us at 760-767-0446, Option 4

ESCAPE TO THE LAND OF DINOSAURS

A Desert Hostel to the Dinosaur Triangle, A Geologic Introduction to the Colorado Plateau’s Grand Staircase, Its Fossil Resources, and Hidden Scenic Attractions

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Paul Remeika September 17-27, 2014 $1,675 per person

his Desert Hostel provides a geologic introduction to the Colorado Plateau’s Grand Staircase, its fossil resources and hidden scenic attractions. Explore the natural wonders within the Dinosaur Triangle between the cities of Grand Junction, Colorado, and Vernal and Price, Utah. The wonder of discovery that’s sure to be experienced at many points of interest will also be supported with educational visits to the Dinosaur Journey Museum, Dinosaur National Monument, the Field Natural History Museum and Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry in the San Rafael Swell.

Farther south, more secrets will be revealed on field excursions to examine fossil footprints, bones, shell beds and petrified forests in and around Capitol Reef National Park, along the Waterpocket Fold and in the Circle Cliffs and Devil’s Garden of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Hiking opportunities await us as we explore the spectacular countryside in detail along the San Rafael Reef in

$350 single person supplement; $200 deposit required

Goblin Valley, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, the Red Desert, and Zion Canyon. Not to be overlooked is our scenic full-day raft trip on the Green River south of the Flaming Gorge Dam to Little Hole, Discovery Day at Bryce Canyon National Park, and an optional day eleven for anyone interested in a private tour of the Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm in the St. George Basin.

What is included: Accommodations – three nights at Best Western Dinosaur Inn, Vernal, UT; one night at River Terrace Inn, Green River, UT; two nights at Best Western Capitol Reef Resort, Torrey, UT; one night at Prospector Inn, Escalante, UT; two nights at Bryce Canyon Inn, Tropic, UT; one night at Bumbleberry Inn, Springdale, UT. All rooms are non-smoking double occupancy with limited single availability. Tour price

includes lodging, sack lunches, all local event fees, a descriptive daily travelogue, and final group dinner.

What is not included: Breakfasts and dinners are on your own. This frees participants to enjoy eating when and where they prefer, and to choose the foods and portion size they desire. Since many restaurants are unable to accommodate large groups eating together, this has been a favorable solution. Most lodges include expanded continental breakfast. NPS Pass, alcoholic beverages and gratuities to local guides are also not included.

Participants provide their own transportation and travel in their own 2WD high-clearance vehicles.

We expect to travel at least 350 miles during the trip and vehicles should be well maintained and in good working order. Expect some improved gravel roads or non-maintained dirt roads.

Physical Difficulty: Short hikes to points of interest can be on uneven terrain within close proximity to the vehicles. Planned hikes are about one mile each way. 

www.theabf.org

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Spirits of Carrizo Gorge by Kevin Price Best of Show and Desert Landscapes, First Place This image is clean and sharp, with great awareness of light and shadow. “The best rock art ever done for this competition,” said one judge. It is very difficult to show this subject in context. Here Kevin includes not only the rock art but also foreground and background. It gives a true sense of place.

What made it Best of Show? Of all the images in this competition Kevin’s thoughtfully and beautifully made photograph tells the story of this place that IS Anza-Borrego. Nature is the palette upon which man has made his mark. Nature provides us with danger as well as grace. We are fortunate to have this very special place to treasure and to photograph.

2014 Anza-Borrego Desert Photo Contest Winners Congratulations to our 2014 photo contest winners! This year our judges selected the winning photos from the 253 wonderful adult and youth entries.

Accompanying each photo are the judges’ comments on what made each of these first place photos stand out.

Many thanks to contest judges Donna Cosentino, Bill Evarts, Dennis Mammana, Paul Johnson, and Alfred Pagano, and Judy Smith, Fran Gilloon and the many other volunteers who donate their time to make the contest a success. 

Phantasm by Leo L. Larson Desert Plants, First Place This image won first place because it is beautiful and different. The use of deliberate movement, the silhouette, and the golden background color was very attractive. It is dreamy and not an ordinary way of seeing.

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Hike to Elephant Knees by David Scarbrough People Enjoying the Desert, First Place This black and white tells a story...man is so small against the desert. The sense of scale in this image really works to its advantage. We are but a speck, we are overwhelmed by nature’s beauty, and her vastness. The drama of the light and shadow and the technical handling of tonal values are superb.

Rock Slide by Logan Stephens Youth, First Place This image is technically great, the B&W tones are full, and the texture pattern creates a near abstract. The fact that Logan saw this and made an image of it was quite impressive to the judges. Most people might walk on by. Logan saw it.

Brittlebush & Canyon Wall by Alexander Kunz Black & White, First Place This elegant image has its own unique power. The luminescent tones are reminiscent of a darkroom print...lush and rich. It has wonderful emphasis on texture and composition. The fact that such a simple subject could capture Alexander and make us, the viewers, bring our attention to this little bit of life against a canyon wall is a strong statement of vision.

Please Don’t Stick Me by Denise Zuranski Desert Animals, First Place There was little question that this image was superb. The light, sharply focused subject, simplicity of composition, use of depth of field, and the color of that shallow focused background all added up to make this photograph number one. www.theabf.org

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 Camp Borrego Turns 10! Guests enjoy the celebration.

On March 29, dozens of

supporters wished ABF’s Camp Borrego a happy 10th anniversary during a special event that celebrated the program’s impact on the lives of socioeconomically disadvantaged children.

 Hosts Janice Smith (Camp Coordinator) and Jimmy Smith (ABF President) lead the crowd in singing camp songs.

 Former campers share their story about how Camp Borrego impacted their lives at Camp Borrego Turns 10!

 ABF Executive Director Paige Rogowski, Camp Borrego volunteer Herb Stone and Judy Davis view the history of Camp Borrego.

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After joining Mark Jorgensen (retired superintendent of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park) and camp staff on tours of the facility, guests enjoyed a starlit dinner provided by the Big Horn Bar and Grill. The setting provided a small example of the natural grandeur that has brought new experiences and inspiration to at-risk students from San Diego and Imperial counties for the last decade.

Supported by private contributions and operating in collaboration with public education agencies, Camp Borrego provides urban, low-income children a free, three-day introduction to the wild desert: an environment just 90 minutes from their neighborhoods but a very different place. The program promotes an awareness of desert ecosystems and how to conserve the environment, and it allows the fifth graders some time simply to stop, wonder at and interact with nature.

Camp Borrego (known more formally as the Anza-Borrego Fifth Grade Environmental Camp) is the only program of its kind available to fifth grade students in the area and is often the first camping experience for the students. Fewer than one in seven students in California participates in an outdoor education program — a type of program found to be important to a child’s reasoning skills, linear thinking and cognitive development.

Each year more than 300 students participate in three-day Camp Borrego sessions held over a five-week period in the spring on a dedicated site in the Park’s Borrego Palm Canyon.

Both students and teachers stay in yurts, modern refinements of the portable dwelling units traditionally used by nomads of Central Asia. They are introduced to scientific research

underway in the Park, exposed to careers (paleontology and wildlife biology, for example) that they might never have considered, and offered a taste of the distinctive serenity and mystery of the desert.

 Borrego Palm Canyon serves as an outdoor classroom for these campers from Calexico.

 A rare treat for any park visitor, campers get a private tour of the paleontology laboratory.

 Camp naturalist Greg Hill leads campers in singing about the outdoors.

 Nick Clapp (ABF Trustee), Janet Anderson (DPC President), Terry Weiner (DPC staff), Mark Jorgensen (ABF volunteer), Marty Key and John Peterson (ABF Trustee) enjoy the new yurt at Camp Borrego.

In collaboration with the San Diego County Office of Education Outdoor Education Program, ABF has developed a curriculum that meets fifth grade standards and enhances learning. It offers: 

Viewing specimens of ancient mammoths, giant ground sloths and saber-toothed cats in the Park’s world-class paleontology laboratory

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Meeting with park employees to learn what they do and how they came to make the choice of a career working in the outdoors

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Hiking canyons to learn how to identify and classify local plants

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Attending an evening program to view the sky and learn about the solar system Surveys of students demonstrate that they find enjoyment in substantive activities of the program, e.g., hiking Borrego Palm Canyon, making fire with a bow and spindle, studying the night sky and rock climbing.

Funds raised in support of Camp Borrego provide, in addition to quality outdoor education instruction, meals and housing for students and their teachers, a camp coordinator, supplies and equipment necessary for the camp, and insurance and travel for the coordinator to meet with teachers and parents prior to attending.

Over the next 10 years, ABF hopes to double the number of Camp Borrego sessions, adding two sessions every two years for an annual total of 20, and increase the number of students in each session to 45. This would result in the program serving 900 students each year by 2025. Additional financial support is needed to provide more yurts and staff time, increase and improve the physical facilities, and cover inflation for the cost of services and meals.

ABF thanks all the donors to Camp Borrego over the last 10 years AT&T Foundation Barbara Oyler Borrego Springs Rotary Bryce Miller Californians for Fire Safety Christine Caliandro Dan Dorritie David Stang David Western Deborah Knapp Desert Protective Council Diane Hydoski Dick Wayman Donald J. Stang Fred Jee Gene Monroe Germaine Schwider Grace Clark H. Fort Flowers Foundation Harry Majewski Helen K. and James S. Copley Foundation Herb Lagois Ian Purcell MD APC Isidro D. Ortiz Jack Manning Janet Kister Jim Judge Joan Rosen Judith Begole Rahner Judy Ramirez Karen Smith Katherine Kubala Kelly Schaefer Kimball Elementary School

Las Patronas Laura Gerdsen Linda S. Crook Linnie Cooper Foundation Marjorie Hatcher Mark M. Jackson Mary Fitz McCarthy Family Foundation Michael Wells Outdoor Writers Association of California Pat Morris Paul A. Peterson Philip Harsha Rancho de la Nation Elementary School REI Richard Breisch Sally Williams San Diego Gas & Electric Scot Martin Sempra Energy Subaru of America Foundation Susan Salt Suzi Jackson Teamsters Local 542 Terry Begole Fowler The Foster Family Private Foundation The Heller Foundation of San Diego The Parker Foundation The Pratt Memorial Fund at Union Bank of California The San Diego Foundation

Recognized at the 10-year anniversary celebration, in addition to the many individual supporters, was the Desert Protective Council for its generosity in supporting Camp Borrego as well as ABF Trustee Al Ducheny and his wife, former California State Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny.

The Desert Protective Council and the Duchenys have been critical to the successful first decade of Camp Borrego. ABF extends our gratitude for the tremendous support of the program over the years!  www.theabf.org

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New Faces at ABF Anza-Borrego Foundation trustees have elected new officers for 2014–15 as well as strengthened the professional capabilities of the board with two new trustees. ABF has also added two new staff members!

New Officers After 12 years of being an active participant in Park programs and activities and two years spent on the ABF board (2011–13), Jimmy Smith has now become President of the board. Jim and his wife, Judy, moved to Borrego Springs upon his retirement in 2002. He has worked as a pilot in the Air Force, an educational counselor in the Los Angeles Unified School District, a board member and president of McKinley Children’s Home in San Dimas, and a financial planner.

Jim has been a certified member of the Anza-Borrego Paleontology Society since 2002 and has participated in numerous plays and musicals presented by the Performing Arts Association. He and Judy received the Superior Achievement Award from California State Parks for their active participation in Camp Borrego.

A member of the board since 2007 and current chair of its Land Committee, Dick Troy was elected board Vice President. Dick had a 30-year career with California State Parks — from park ranger to deputy director for operations — and serves as president of the California Trails Conference Foundation.

Trustees also elected Joanne Ingwall as Treasurer and reelected Bill Reavey as Secretary, as well as re-elected Al Ducheny, Bill McDonald, Joanne Ingwall and Jim Smith to three-year terms. Two new trustees, Sharon Goldsmith and Dave Van Cleve (see below), join the board for three-year terms.

New Trustees Sharon Goldsmith, PhD, is internationally recognized for her expertise in standards development, certification, continuing education, and higher education accreditation, receiving a distinguished service award from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). A graduate of Brooklyn College, with a master’s degree from New York University, and master’s and doctoral degrees from City University of New York, she is president of Goldsmith Associates International, a multinational consulting firm based in Washington, DC. Sharon and her husband, Jerry, have a special interest in conservation and land trust community, and have spent time in Borrego Springs each year for more than 20 years.

They are long-time members of and donors to ABF. In addition to contributing as a volunteer and donor to several conservation organizations around the country, Sharon 12

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has served as a consultant with the Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission for several years. In this role she helped design and implement its accreditation program that recognizes land trusts that demonstrate compliance with national standards for land trust operations, conservation and management.

Dave Van Cleve spent 32 years total with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, serving his last 14 as District Superintendent of the Colorado Desert District, which includes the Park. After leaving state service, he spent nine years as senior project director and eco-regional director for the California chapter of The Nature Conservancy.

Dave has a master’s degree in geography from UC Santa Barbara. A graduate of UC Santa Cruz, he says his greatest achievement there was creating the Banana Slug as the university’s mascot! He is writing a book on the management of parks and open space reserves.

New Staff Bri Fordem joined ABF in March as Donor Relations Manager. Bri will be responsible for managing relationships with ABF’s members and donors, including the new Friends of ABF society. Her extensive career in both nonprofits and start-up companies make her a valuable addition to the ABF team.

She has a passion for organizational and environmental sustainability and completed her MBA in that field in 2010 from Antioch University New England. A native San Diegan and now a full-time Borrego Springs resident, Bri enjoys exploring the Park and working in her desert garden.

Dave Duncan will join ABF in June as our Tour Coordinator, succeeding Joan Carskaddan in planning our popular Desert Hostel trips. Born and raised in San Diego, he is a life-long visitor to ABDSP. Dave spent most of his adult life in the Pacific Northwest engaged in the maritime industry. Over a decades-long career he has operated large commercial fishing vessels on Alaska’s Bering Sea, eco-tours on the lower Columbia River, whalewatching excursions on Monterey Bay, and tugboats and passenger ferries on San Francisco Bay. Now a full-time resident of Borrego Springs, he looks forward to carrying on the legacy of ABF’s well-crafted and attended Desert Hostel Trips. 

 Jimmy Smith, PORTS Interpreter LuAnn Thompson, Paige Rogowski, Terry Weiner and Briana Puzzo receive DPC’s check for 2014 programs. Photo, Terry Weiner

Why We Give: Impacting the Lives of Children Here at Anza-Borrego Foundation, we hold a special place in our hearts for the Desert Protective Council (DPC). First and foremost, DPC’s Anza-Borrego Committee was the genesis for today’s Anza-Borrego Foundation. So we should probably say “Thanks, Mom!” for raising and nurturing us to be the organization that we are today!

Education is at the heart of DPC’s mission, so the organization gladly jumped at the chance to support the PORTS (Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students) program as well as the pilot Fifth Grade Environmental Education Tent Camp (now called “Camp Borrego”). These youth education programs help to grow the next generation of park enthusiasts and supporters. The PORTS distance-learning program allows Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to reach thousands of students who otherwise would not be able to visit the Park. In fact, if you see the PORTS satellite truck giving programs in Anza-Borrego, you can thank DPC for this ingenious way of changing lives!

has provided more than $130,000 in total support, which has ensured that all Imperial County camp sessions are fully funded year after year! Camp Borrego hosted nearly 300 fifth graders this past spring — including 90 students from Imperial County schools — with the goal to reach twice that number of students annually over the next ten years.

“Camp Borrego is often a life-changing experience for the fifth-grade students.”

DPC has also been a generous supporter of Camp Borrego, our three-day environmental education camp where select underserved  Students from Ira Harbison Elementary School in fifth grade students get an National City get a wonderful surprise while hiking in overnight desert experience in Borrego Palm Canyon. Photo, JASMINE HOOKER the heart of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Throughout the camp’s ten-year history, DPC

Its consistent support makes the Desert Protective Council ABF’s longest funder of the program.

When asked about DPC’s motivation to support Camp Borrego, Imperial County Projects and Conservation Coordinator Terry Weiner said, “Camp Borrego is often a life-changing experience for the fifth grade students. DPC considers it a privilege to continue funding the AnzaBorrego Foundation’s wonderful environmental camp program. In providing children the opportunity to experience the unique serenity and beauty of our extraordinary Colorado Desert, ABF is helping foster the next generation of desert lovers and protectors. The students often report returning to the desert with their families as a result of their new interest in and enthusiasm for the desert.”

By providing grant funding for Camp Borrego, the Desert Protective Council fulfills part of its mission, which is to educate children and adults to a better understanding of the deserts. And thanks to DPC’s contributions, Camp Borrego and PORTS have been able to educate and inspire thousands of future park lovers, park rangers and desert advocates!  www.theabf.org

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New items for sale at the Visitor Center & State Park Store

Join Friends of Anza-Borrego Foundation Today!

We now carry four new postcards that feature beautiful desert paintings by acclaimed artist Armand F. Vallee for 50 cents (plus tax) each. You’ll also find these new items (and more!) at our online store: shop.TheABF.org.

Who We Are Friends of Anza-Borrego Foundation (Friends of ABF) are among the most committed supporters of AnzaBorrego Desert State Park. We appreciate all the desert has to offer and invest in the long-term preservation and growth of California’s largest state park. Friends of ABF live near and far, visit often or even once a year.

What brings us together is our strong affection for this special place and a desire to share it with others.

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What We Support Friends of ABF support the most pressing needs of the Park, including: Land Acquisition and Protection – In 2012, Anza Borrego Foundation celebrated our 50,000th acre acquired!

Youth and Adult Education – ABF provides field trips, guided hikes, Camp Borrego, and the PORTS program that reaches 8,000 students a year.

Research – Over the past 10 years, ABF has sponsored over $200,000 in desert-related research grants and scholarships to individuals.

Park Support – Last year Anza-Borrego Foundation contributed more than $900,000 in programs to benefit the Park, including funding staff to keep the Visitor Center open full-time during the busy season.   

What We Do In addition to giving generously, Friends of ABF have opportunities to learn more about Anza-Borrego Desert State Park though exclusive tours, lectures and events. Whether it’s a walk to view a new wash or an update on nature’s reconstruction after a storm, Friends of ABF have access to park officials and Foundation staff for the most recent happenings. Friends of ABF also hold occasional socials and salons in their homes on timely topics.

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Visitor Center: Open Everyday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Starting July 1, Weekends & Holidays only State Park Store: Open Friday - Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Starting July 1, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - Noon

How You Can Join Becoming a Friend of ABF means you are making a measurable and critical difference in the success of the Park. We offer three accessible levels of membership: $1,000 –$2,499 Benefactor’s Circle $2,500–$4,999 President’s Circle $5,000+ Founder’s Circle For more information, please contact Executive Director Paige Rogowski at (760) 767-0446 ext. 1001, or paige@ theabf.org. 

ABF thanks the following for their generous support and welcomes our new members!

Friends of Anza-Borrego Foundation, September - December 2013 Founder’s Circle Norman H. Anderson Janie DeCelles Desert Protective Council John and Dorothy Helm Bob and Barbara Kleist Leslie and John A McQuown Susan and Haddon Salt San Diego Gas & Electric George Sardina M.D. Ralph Singer and Lou Bahar Subaru of America Foundation The Foster Family Private Foundation President’s Circle Borrego Valley Inn Steve and Carolyn Conner Tim and Claudia Costanzo Diane and Frank Hydoski

Mike Medema NRG Energy Inc. Barbara Oyler Jim and Judy Smith Benefactor’s Circle Anonymous Anonymous Russell Avery Robert and Gail Bardin Sharon L. Barta Dr. Edith F. Borie David Byrd California Garden Clubs, Inc. Bruce and Christine Clegg Janene Colby Richard Fowler and Terry Begole Fowler Thomas F. and William Garner

Susan Gilliland Suzanne and Nancy Gilliland Dr. Sharon Goldsmith and Jerry Goldsmith Bruce Heimbach Larry Hendrickson Dick and Joanne Ingwall Elizabeth A. Javens Ann Jopling and George Eslinger Bob and Sandra Keeley Ann Keenan Janet and John Kister Lowell and Diana Lindsay Callie Mack and Phil Roullard John Martinez John and Christine Murphy Eric Mustonen and Amee Wood Oceanside Photo & Telescope John Prewitt

Larry and Peggy Puzzo Dennis and Denise Quinn Judith Begole Rahner Dr. Russell Shelden Karen Smith Donald J. Stang and Helen Wickes Herb Stone Cynthia Stribling and Paul Webb Melvin and Ellen Sweet The Borregan The San Diego Foundation Renee Thornton Homer and Bettina Townsend Ralph and Rosalie Webb Mike Wells and Marie Simovich Kirsten Winter and Charles Vantassel Andrew Zimbaldi

Donors, September - December 2013 Camp Borrego Anonymous San Diego Gas & Electric The Foster Family Private Foundation

Coldwell Banker Jim and Kathy Dice in memory of Carl Kennerson Marilyn Dickson in memory of Carl Kennerson Lawrence Fine Annual Fund Dr. Mary Harte Joyce Applen in honor of Marjorie Hatcher Ralph Webb in memory of Ms. Toni Atkins Carl Kennerson Sharon L. Barta Stephanie Hernandez Lynn Gay Basquez in memory of in memory of Paul Basart Mark Basquez Hewlett-Packard Mike and Jan Bigelow Barbara Holden Bighorn Fudge Company Tony and Janice Hoople Jill and Jeff Blaemers Lou Jackson in honor of Victoria and David James Rob Blaemers Jeanne Johnstone and Borrego Outfitters George Jefferson Nancy Boss in memory of in memory of Carl Kennerson Robert Johnstone Elizabeth Burns in memory of Just Give Sue and Hal Bob and Sandra Keeley Cactus and Succulent Society in memory of of Massachusetts Robert Johnstone in honor of Frank Colver Ann Keenan in memory of Calicos Carl Kennerson California Overland Kendall’s Cafe Carmelita’s Mexican Grill & Barbara and Gordon Kitchens Cantina in honor of Tony and Shirley and Webb Cate Karen DeLorenzo’s Father in memory of Carl Kennerson Dr. Arie Korporaal in memory of Grace A. Clark in memory of Carl Kennerson Carl Kennerson Paul A. Larson and Ingrid Coffin Mary E. Ekelund Janene Colby in memory of Carl Kennerson

Ray and Lucy Larson in memory of Carl Kennerson Diana and Lowell Lindsay in memory of Robert Johnstone Lyn Loerke in memory of Carl Kennerson Kenneth and Susan Maehler in memory of Eugene Mielcarek Margaret G. McIntyre in memory of Paul McIntyre Crawford McNair and Karin Vickars in memory of Carl Kennerson Debra Morgan in honor of Rider South Victoria Morgan Tracy Norris Ann Morton Nourse in memory of Carl Kennerson NRG Energy Inc. Oceanside Photo & Telescope PAC VID and SECURITY in memory of James E. Chafey David Reneau Gary and Ann Roberts in memory of Zach Ammons Peter and Winona Rowat Daniel H. Schumann Judy Schwartz David Sewell in memory of Richard Garnett Clark and Eleanor Shimeall in memory of Carl Kennerson Karen Smith

William and Lisa Snider Karen Staser Sarah Super in memory of Casper Medema Linda Tandle The San Diego Foundation Silke Thode Doug Thompson Sam and Astrid Webb in memory of Carl Kennerson Barbara Williams Land Acquisition Norman H. Anderson James Bauer Dr. Edith F. Borie in memory of Polly Peltit Cora Hawley Dale Kraai George Sardina M.D. Paleontology Fund Paulette Ache and Bill Holst Superintendent’s Fund Mike Medema Wier Scholarship Fund Larry Hendrickson

www.theabf.org

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Anza-Borrego Foundation P.O. Box 2001 Borrego Springs, CA 92004

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 17 San Diego, CA

New Members, September - December 2013 Michael and Lynda Alamo David Aleshire Claire and Gary Almquist Steve and Gloria Robert Berghofer Nita Bishop, ND Carey Blakely Pia Brown Charles Cameron Nate Capehart Elizabeth Carrington Monique Chefdor Kelly Chu Philip Constant Richard Courtney John and Pat Downing Brad and Micki Dutenhoeffer Mike Evans Michael Field Michael Finch Albert Foster Patricia Gifford Stacy and Gerry Goss Gerry Gregory James Gregory Bill Griswold and Maureen Fedy Christopher Hazlett Melvin (Mel) Hochhalter 16

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Robert Hughes Chandler James Neil and Jill James Teresa A. Jover Jim Keller Jennie Kelly Dr. Judith Kemp Terry Klein Aleta Lawrence Jazmine Lopez Brian and Celia Lux Ralph MacIntyre and Debby Baskin Deb Martin Alan Marvin Carol Mason Kathy McKernan Enrique Medina Timothy Mielcarek and Brian Marquez Paul Milling Ken Mills Lynn Mohns Nancy Monte Rose Murphy Neal Nickerson Ursula Niederer Catherine O’Toole

Major Dudley Oatman and Kathy Oatman Rebecca Olsen Brian Parnham Dr. Richard Payne Don Pernicano Jon Postlethwaite Cynch Ramos Richard Redfern Jules Resnick and Mary Ann Leer Brenda Robbins Anne-Catherine Roch-Levecq Howard and Joan Rontje Vanessa Rusczyk Ernest Sato Bob and Judy Schmader Brian Sixt Gregory S. Smith Randy Staley and Velda Welch Brent Stephenson Krista Stephenson Will Stubblebine Prof. George Brian Sullivan Donald Sweinhart and Betty Wallin Julie Taylor Paul and Pat Tedford

Dr. Katherine Tsaioun Karen Vanderbilt Gerald Vernon Mickey Walker Susan Wallace Mary B. Watkins Barry Weathersby Cari Wegner Chas White Bob and Jackie Willey Jody Young Robert Younger Hans Zima

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