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the
Heritage Herald
Volume
2, February 2007, an on-line newsletter
for those who cherish our natural and historic resources on the Angeles
National Forest
Sometimes it's as easy as turning over a rock . . .
As
many of us know, the world of public education sometimes
operates like
other areas of our culture, and is thus not immune
from following fads,
cycles, and yes, even the political winds. This past year two
new
educational concerns "broke into" the national debate. But
let's hope
that both of these "have legs" and are educational
priorities for some
time. The first was given a big boost with the publication
of Richard
Louv's timely Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children
from Nature Deficit Disorder. The second can be
found in the growing national debate over the chronic issue
of obesity in our school children.
Both
issues reflect complex social trends which have evolved over
time, and
thus will not be remedied overnight. But, based on
the range and level
of debate both are generating, there is hope they will
receive the
attention they deserve. Of course, gains in both areas ultimately
hinge
on the investment we make not only within the lives of our own
children but those we can influence and inspire as well.
Our public
educators, already burdened by unreasonable social expectations, cannot
be expected to solve these problems for us. All of us have a role
to
play.
The exciting thing about confronting both challenges is that they
profoundly intertwine, so that when we address one, we are at
the same
time addressing the other; hence, the old adage - a small
investment in
the life of a child goes a long way. Recently, at the end of
a busy
school field trip, one of our docents was reminded of
this while on a
nature walk beside the West Fork of the San Gabriel
River, when a third
grade girl, speaking on behalf of her friend and
herself, exclaimed,
"When we grow up we want to be like you and work in nature.
We looked
at all the scat on the trail to see what the animals were eating
just
like you taught us! Before we didn't want to go camping, but now we do
to look at things."
So, on behalf of inviting a child to get off the couch, and
"unplugged"
from their television or Nintendo Wii, to share
in a walk, here's
to those incomparable natural discoveries so many of us
first
experienced as a child because someone took the time to introduce
us to
our natural places - to examine scat, turn over a few rocks
and
"to look at things" once again. -- Rick Dean (RD)
Baby, It's Cold Outside ....
The
record low temperature for Baldy Notch, 7800', as recorded by the
Mt.
Baldy Ski Lift's weather station was set during the cold
spell that
occurred this past January. It was point four below zero Fahrenheit.
That's -0.4° F. On an outing on January 16 to see the waterfalls in
Dry
Lake Canyon between the two tunnels, 3100', we found instead icicles
two feet long! - Jane Strong
Are you Ready to Travel through Time?
Mark
your calendars! Once again get ready to venture back though
historic
southern California. June 9th and 10th will mark our second annual
"A
Pathway Through the Past" living history event at the Mt. Baldy Visitor
Center. Your trip will begin at Joatngna, our
native-American Tongva
Village, wind through a camp of rowdy gold miners, visit with
an early
park ranger saddling his horse for a patrol into the
backcountry; all
with an eye towards not being tardy for the first day of class in our
1920's one-room schoolhouse. Come share in the food and
entertainment;
and if you fancy yourself as one of our period actors, don't pass
up
the opportunity to star. - Karen Fortus (KF)
The "Dream Team" - Our 2007- 8 Naturalists
An
educational program is only as strong as its teachers. We
are fortunate
to have a very talented group of student-educators for the coming
school year. Back for their second year are Brianna Gionet, kinesiology
major (Mt. SAC, soon to transfer to the university level) and
Jessica
Cormalis, environmental biology (Cal-Poly Pomona). Joining
them are
Andrea Nick, geography (Cal State-San Bernardino) and Christina
Weyrant, environmental education (Citrus College). Over the
course of a
school year our naturalists touch the lives of several thousand
students, and judging from their fan mail, serve as tremendous role
models for budding naturalists and rangers. (RD)
Docents Contribute their Special Gifts to the Mix
Some
enjoy native-plant gardening, some geology, some work weekends to
help
forest visitors find the best hike to suit their needs, and some help
us teach school children through the week. Whatever your
gifts or your
special interests, why not share them with others by volunteering at
one of our two education centers? With facilities and
programs both
at Mt. Baldy Village and in San Gabriel Canyon, it is a safe
bet that
we can find a role that suits you. As always, new
docents will receive fun, painless training, and our personal guarantee
to never have to do anything that you don't enjoy. (RD)
Introducing Gwen Rodman
What
does a teacher do after spending an entire career in the
classroom before retiring? Continue teaching for free at Mt.
Baldy
Environmental Education! Gwen Rodman, one of our local Mt.
Baldy
residents, has seen the education program blossom from its
beginning
with one part-time employee to where it is today. In fact,
Gwen has
played an instrumental role in the growth of the program.
Possessing a
strong community spirit, and always on the move, Gwen divides her time
between travel (recently Alaska, India, and points far afield),
playing
music, and teaching with us. Visit the center and chances are you
have
seen one of the educational props or interpretive exhibits Gwen
assembled, from the props for the Tongva program to the canvas
tent for
our Echoes of the Past History Trail. And the best part is, when
Gwen
appears, we get "the guy" who is the unquestioned
celebrity for most
of our visiting students - Cam, the golden retriever. (RD)
Plight
of our Bighorn Sheep
In
2006 California Fish and Game completed their most recent bighorn
survey. Their survey estimate of 229 sheep spread over the San
Gabriel
range was well below the 322 figure which has been established as the
restoration goal. The goal of 322 is calculated as "322
sheep, well
distributed over six consecutive years."
In
the late 70's, early 80's population estimates in the San Gabriels were
put at 650-750 animals. Why the decline? Many factors may be
involved:
mountain lion predation, unproductive habitat, disease, as well as
human encroachment and dog harassment. Many government agencies
and
volunteer organizations are attempting to determine what is
contributing to the decline of these majestic animals. A five-year
study, currently in place, is utilizing radio collars
on sheep and one
mountain lion.
You
can help by reporting sheep and mountain lion sightings at the Mt.
Baldy Visitor Center (909 982-2829). Also report any
situations where
you have observed dogs harassing sheep, or dogs off leash in an area
where sheep are seen. - Steve Segreto
Lessons in Tongva Ethnobotany:
Bright Leaved Kwiash (Mugwort)
Along
dry disturbed places, in Coastal Sage Scrub, along the streams of
the
foothills, and even up to 11,000 feet, the beautiful bright green
leaves of Mugwort announce their presence. The multi-pointed leaves,
pale grey green on their undersides and bright green on their upper
sides are easily identified. The dream plant, the powerful medicine
plant, puberty plant, the plant that purified the hands of those who
handled the dead, Kwiash was loved by the Tongva and is still one of
our favorite plants.
This
beautiful perennial herb blossoms from June to October and can even be
found in the Mojave Desert and in Joshua Tree woodlands. It is
very
easy to grow and makes a wonderful addition not only to a native plant
garden, but to any garden brightening its neighbors with its
splendid
leaves. -- Mark Acuna.
San Gabriel Canyon Environmental Education Center Dedication
On
Sunday, May 20th at 1:30 we will be
dedicating our "new" environmental
education facility in San Gabriel Canyon. With the help of many
community volunteers, scout and other civic groups, this historic
Forest Service fire station has been brought back to
life as an
education center. This will be a special day honoring the
individuals
and groups who made this happen by volunteering their time or through
generous financial contributions. Since opening our doors,
5,000
students and teachers have gained a new appreciation for their
neighboring forest and learned valuable stewardship
lessons. By next
year we anticipate the number growing to 8,000 students. (KF)
A special thank you must
go out to all those individuals who contribute their time and efforts
to assist us at Mt. Baldy and San Gabriel Environmental Education
Centers. The list of amazing volunteers is overwhelming but their
efforts do not go unnoticed and if we don't verbalize our thanks to
each of you - please know that we could not effectively run either
center without your help. We are also especially appreciative to
all
the Mt. Baldy Community, the Mt. Baldy School, and Town
Hall. Thank you
so much for your support! (KF)
produced
by the San Gabriel Mountains Heritage Association
in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, Angeles National Forest
Mt. Baldy Visitor Center
P.O. Box 592, Mt Baldy, CA 91759
Phone (909) 982-2829 FAX: (909) 931-7130
Email: info @ mtbaldyeducation . org [remove spaces]
Web Site: http://mtbaldyeducation.org
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