On  Wednesday, October 24, 2007, the Visitor Center will host a variety of programs to celebrate the seventh anniversary of the establishment of Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. The photos on this page are from earlier events at the monument. (text continues below)

At a previous event, Smokey Bear checks in at the Visitor Center's counter:

The programs include an 8:30 a.m. hike, and programs at 10 a.m. and noon:

• 8:30 -10 a.m. Explore the Randall Henderson Trail on a guided hike and see amazing geology, migrating birdlife and a variety of cacti.
• 10 a.m. Step back in time to experience western settlement, and learn about the establishment of your public lands.
• Noon, enjoy a PowerPoint presentation and see sights in the local mountains and deserts at the There’s a Monument in Your Backyard program.

The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center is at 51-500 Hwy 74, Palm Desert.

All events are free. For more information, call (760) 862-9984.

Guides and Presenters will include: Tracy Albrecht, Interpretive Specialist, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument and PowerPoint presenter: Bonnie Adkins, Park Ranger, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

The celebration is sponsored by Friends of the Desert Mountains, and Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

See the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument homepage for a calendar with even more upcoming events.

 Retired BLM ranger Mike Meyer signs his recent book, "Ranger Stories."

BLM California News.bytes, issue 302