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Anza-Borrego Foundation
Mission
To promote conservation in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and
the surrounding ecological region through land acquisition, education, interpretation and scientific studies.
History
Formed as the Anza-Borrego Committee of the Desert Protective Council at the
request of the State Parks Commission to help ABDSP acquire inholdings. Reorganized
as separate nonprofit organization, Anza-Borrego Foundation, in 1988.
Who is involved?
Seven staff people (3 full time; 4 part time), Colorado Desert District region,
over 100 people help annually.
Projects
During 2006, the Foundation purchased
365.85 acres of land and received 126.45 acres as gifts. Included in the acquired acreage was the 155-acre Las Arena Ranch, property that is contiguous to ABDSP in Shelter Valley. In December, the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation awarded the Foundation a $700,000 grant for a
$1.4 million project to acquire wilderness inholdings in the northwest region of ABDSP. The two-year project targets 320 parcels.
The Anza-Borrego Institute offered 74 classes, workshops and lectures (an increase from
62 last year) and launched the first Citizen Science Program. The first Desert Hostel tour was a great success. The sold out tour of 22 participants traveled over 660 miles in five days visiting the St. George Dinosaur Site, Zion National Park, the north and south rim of the Grand Canyon, the Vermillion Cliffs and other many scenic stops along the way.
The 5th Grade Environmental Education Tent Camp, a project in partnership with San Diego County Office of Outdoor Education and California State Parks, hosted eight camps for a total of 240 students. Fundraising efforts continue to help “weatherize” the camping experience with a windbreak, portable kitchen, and a wind resistant shelter.
The Institute continued funding for year three of the distance learning program--Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students (PORTS)that brings parks, interactive and in real time, into the classroom. During the
2005-2006 school year nearly 5,000 children from Imperial, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, and Riverside counties participated in the online distance learning program.
Goals
Our plan is to continue to acquire inholdings for ABDSP; under the new
Anza-Borrego Institute, we plan to grow our current programs, add distance
learning program and research project components.
Why we joined the Conservation Resources Network
To network with other like-minded conservation groups and for the support we
will receive from associating with SDCRN.
How are we unique?
We are the ONLY organization that acquires inholdings for ABDSP. Of
the 60,000 acres of inholdings in the park, ABF has acquired over 35,000
acres. We are the ONLY nonprofit partner for the ABDSP.
Business Partnerships?
Joint acquisition project (Horse Canyon) with the Native American Land
Conservancy. Partnership with California State Parks Colorado Desert
District and the Wildlife Health Center at UC Davis to form and run
the Anza-Borrego Institute and its programs.
Education Partnerships?
We have a partnership with San Diego Office of Outdoor Education in
presenting our 5th grade environmental education tent camp program.
Wish List
(1) identifying funding sources; (2) creative methods of member development
and retention
Contact for more information:
Linda Carson, Executive
Director
Anza-Borrego Foundation
P.O. Box 2001
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
phone: 760-767-0446
fax 760-767-0465
website: www.theabf.org
email: info@theabf.org
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Now
Linda Carson, Executive
Director
Anza-Borrego Foundation
P.O. Box 2001
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
phone: 760-767-0446
fax 760-767-0465
website: www.theabf.org
email: info@theabf.org
Our priorities are…
· acquiring inholdings, private lands locked within the Anza
Borrego Desert State Park, to help make the park whole.
· fostering conservation of the state park and the surrounding
region through education, interpretation and research.
Did you know that ABF:
· acquired 35,000 of the 60,000 acres of inholdings in the
Anza Borrego Desert State Park?
· led the preservation effort for an additional 10,000 acres
of land worth $14 million?
· is an official partner of the California State Park system?
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