 |
A wide variety of climates and landscapes can be found in California. BLM manages more than 14 million acres in the state--from sagebrush plains to old-growth forests, sand dunes to Pacific coastline, and deserts to lush river valleys. The Mojave Desert covers large areas of southeastern California. Key BLM sites in California include a National Mounument and National Conservation Area in the Mojave, as well as environmentally sensitive areas in many other parts of the state.
BLM Coordinators for California Jump to Another State
Environmental Education: Tony Staed
Cultural Education: Ken Wilson
CALIFORNIA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES
BLM California Needles Education Programs
State page
Information on education programs offered by the Needles, CA, field office, on cultural and natural resources and Leave No Trace; also includes link to Desert Junior Ranger booklet
http://www.ca.blm.gov/needles/needles_out_reach.html
California's Eastern Sierra Institute
1998 BLM Environmental Education feature
Describes partnership program to introduce Los Angeles high school students and science teachers to the ecology of eastern California.
http://www.blm.gov/education/feature/1998/ca/feature.html
Desert Discovery Center
Education Center Homepage
Describes education center in Barstow, CA, that offers formal and informal programs on natural, cultural, and historic resources of the Mojave Desert.
http://www.discoverytrails.org/welcome1.html
Earthshaking Events
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, Feb. 2001 p. 33
Students create their own version of a seismograph to understand how scientists use this tool to measure earthquake vibrations.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/mojave02a.html
Geology and Mining History Field Trips
State page
Information on program of earth science field trips to points of mineralogic, geologic, paleontologic, and historic interest in central California--for high school age and older, including in-service continuing education.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/bakersfield/geologytrips.html
Hands on the Land - Fish Slough
Interactive website
Profile of Fish Slough, a BLM Hands on the Land site near Bishop, California.
http://www.handsontheland.org/profiles/profile_details.cfm?sitecode=fisl
Hands on the Land - San Joaquin River Gorge
Interactive website
Profile of San Joaquin River Gorge, a BLM Hands on the Land site in Auberry, CA
http://www.handsontheland.org/profiles/profile_details.cfm?sitecode=sajo
Hands on the Land - Sand Canyon
Interactive website
Profile of Sand Canyon Environmental Education Program, a BLM Hands on the Land site in California. For more information, contact BLM field office, Ridgecrest, CA.
http://www.handsontheland.org/profiles/profile_details.cfm?sitecode=seep
Keeping Cool
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, Feb 2001 poster back
In this activity, students test the effectiveness of various ways animals keep cool in desert environments.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/mojaveposterback2.html - Anchor-3936
Living in the Rain Shadow
1997 BLM Environmental Education feature.
Describes 3-day Sand Canyon Environmental Education Program (SEEP) where fifth graders visit a riparian area in California's Mojave desert and learn about the region's history. For more information, contact BLM field office, Ridgecrest, CA.
http://www.blm.gov/education/feature/feature3.html
Lokern Grazing Study Project
State page
Describes a study on the effects of livestock grazing on a community of species at risk in the San Joaquin Valley.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/bakersfield/lokerngzpj/index.html
Mapping Deserts
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, Feb. 2001, p. 33
In this activity, students research, map and report on the world s deserts, including subtropical, coastal, interior, and rain shadow deserts. Correlated to National Geography Standard.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mystery_of_the_mesa/classroom.html
Mixing it Up
Classroom Activity from Science & Children, Feb 2001 poster back
In this activity students examine the composition of soil and make their own soil mixtures to understand the process of soil formation and how soils contribute to plant growth.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/mojaveposterback2.html
Student Conservation Association in Kern River Valley
State page
Describes fire education work of Student Conservation Association volunteers in California's Kern River Valley.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/bakersfield/firemanagement/thesca.html
The Mojave Desert: A Place in the Sun
Based on Science & Children article, February 2001
Examines the rich, complex and fragile ecosystem of the Mojave Desert. Focuses on the plants and animals and the diversity of life and habitats contained.
http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/index.html