Desert Researcher Magazine Issue 1

By Samantha Young, Education Manager Anza-Borrego Foundation

Now that you’ve learned a bit about the work being done by the staff environmental scientists in AnzaBorrego Desert State Park, we’d like to share with you research by other organizations/individuals, and other ways to get involved.

Education Programs

I run programs with the help of dedicated and knowledgeable staff, volunteers, and naturalists. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, we need your help! Reach out to Stacy@theABF.org for details on our upcoming volunteer training.

ABF developed a process with the State Park where all our education programs are approved by Colorado Desert District Superintendent and Lead Interpreter. This ensures that our programs provide added value to the Park’s resources and that we are providing a needed service to our community. Our programs span six program areas: Guided Hikes and Drives, Research Based Education, Virtual Access, Teacher Professional Development, K-12 Field Trips, and Career Pathways. You can find the calendar of events on our website here.

While some of these programs are directly relaying research to the public, such as the California Naturalist course and Anza-Borrego: In Focus lecture and field trip series, other programs instill appreciation and knowledge for the conservation of these natural resources in members of the public, teachers, and school children. Additionally, we’re committed to supporting the park we love by increasing access to our education programs through scholarships, student discounts, grant funds, and virtual programming.

Research Grants and Scholarships

ABF administers two conservation research scholarships in memoriam of two desert research pioneers, Howie Wier and Paul Jorgensen. Each awardee can receive up to $2,500 annually for field research in ecology, systematics, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology. Learn more here!

ABF also administers the Begole Archaeological Research Grant (BARG), funded through an endowment by pioneering archaeologist Robert S. Begole. This supports scientific archaeological research in Colorado Desert District and surrounding regions. Two awards are available annually of up to $5,000 each for both students and professionals. Learn more here!

Additionally, the Colorado Desert District offers annual research grants of up to $10,000. Research must occur on state land and in the Colorado Desert District (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, & Palomar Mountain State Park). Research can be on a variety of scientific topics, including Biological, Geological, Paleontological, Archaeological, Conservation, or Evolution. Learn more here!

Other Research in Anza-Borrego

ABF places an emphasis on partnering in and supporting research in AnzaBorrego. As a result of our research collaborations, ABF brings you summaries of other research projects that are recent or ongoing. We’re proud to share this research with our supporters through lecture series, field trips, retreats, and in-depth coursework, and in the following articles in our annual research magazine!