BLM California News.bytes 
News.bytes Extra, issue 542

"Survivor: Coachella Valley" teaches kids about nature

Kids from the communities of the Coachella Valley are now enjoying  greater access to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument in their backyard. This summer the Friends of the Desert Mountains, the Desert Recreation District and the National Monument have teamed-up to offer “Survivor: Coachella Valley” to kids, as a way for them to learn about nature and beat the heat!

The Desert Recreation District’s Summer Camp for Kids now has a weekly field-trip to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, where kids learn about survival in our harsh desert habitat. They explore plant adaptations through a fun scavenger hunt and take a closer look with magnifying lenses. Kids learn about animal survival techniques through birding adventures.

This partnership has been a true success, and at its completion will have educated over 100 local youth.

a ranger points to a tortoise as children watch
Kids enjoy “Tortoise Time,” with Monument Park Ranger Emily Hoerner, during which they get to help feed our adopted desert tortoises…

a man holds a bighorn sheep skull for a boy to examine
...and hold a real Bighorn Sheep skull with help from Monument volunteer George Raymond.

a woman points at a man holding a backpack
They also learn about survival techniques for humans too, through fun activities on the "10 essentials of desert hiking."

children work on their signal mirrors
The kids finish out their fun-filled morning with the creation of their very own signal mirror for their hiking backpacks. 

- Steven D. Harris, BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner, Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument  (July, 2012)

BLM-California News.bytes, issue 542 -- To subscribe to News.bytes, send an e-mail to: mailto:Join-Newsbytes@List.ca.blm.gov OR visit our News.bytes subscription page.