News Release

For Immediate Release: April 25, 2002 CA-610-02-48
Contact: Stephen Razo 909-697-5217; E MAIL srazo@ca.blm.gov

EARTH DAY ACITIVITIES PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DISCOVERY

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Barstow Field Office along with the city of Barstow, Caltrans, and the Mojave Desert and Mountain Waste Management JPA joined forces on Earth Day, April 20, for the annual Earth Day and Garden Party celebration. The event, held at the BLM Desert Discovery Center in Barstow, carried the theme "Together for the Earth" which provided educational information and activities to participants about environmental issues, composting and better ways to manage wastewater.

"We've co-sponsored this for the last four years, and it's a great opportunity to showcase our building to the community," stated Tim Reid, BLM Barstow Field Office manager. "It's a chance to show the public the things that go into the center."

Activities were especially geared towards the younger crowds. "We're trying to encourage kids to use their creativity to have fun," stated Rose Foster, BLM Barstow Field Office Volunteer Coordinator. "This year we added a room full of activities for kids. They assembled imaginary bugs out of recycled trash, they played Earth Bingo, and they ate a substance that looks a lot like dirt."

A first time participant was the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex located at Fort Irwin. According to outreach coordinator, Marie Massey, participants were very interested in the progress and purpose of several NASA unmanned planetary probes such as the Mars Odyssey probe currently in orbit around the planet Mars.

The event at the Desert Discovery drew so many people this year that organizers are considering moving the event to the local Sportspark next year.

Local off-road enthusiasts also participated in Earth Day with their 2nd annual Jack Waldron Memorial Cleanup at the Stoddard Valley off-highway vehicle area. Over 65 volunteers spent 390 hours in cleanup efforts that produced 12 tons of trash. The event is named after long time BLM Park Ranger, Jack Waldron, who patrolled the Stoddard Valley area for many years.

-- BLM --