Bureau of Land Management’s 2018 Public Lands Partnership Excellence Award: Announcement of Winner
United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Washington, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov
February 8, 2018
In Reply Refer To:
1114, 1105, 8300 (420) P
EMS TRANSMISSION 02/12/2018
Information Bulletin No. 2018-032
To: All Washington Office and Field Office Officials
From: Assistant Director, National Conservation Lands and Community Partnerships
Subject: Bureau of Land Management’s 2018 Public Lands Partnership Excellence Award: Announcement of Winner
We are pleased to announce the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) 2018 Public Lands Partnership Excellence awardee: Trinidad Gateway of Trinidad, California. The biennial Excellence award recognizes a BLM partnership that demonstrates exceptional support for the BLM’s interpretation, education, and/or public outreach programs. We thank all the BLM offices that submitted nominations; there were many excellent partnership nominations deserving recognition.
About the Trinidad Gateway:
The Trinidad Gateway is a model of collaboration among several local, State, and Tribal partners working with the BLM for the protection and management of the California Coastal National Monument (monument). Connecting the Pacific Ocean with the land, the monument provides unique coastal habitat for marine-dependent wildlife and vegetation on more than 20,000 rocks, islands, exposed reefs and pinnacles along the California coastline, as well as 7,924 acres of public land in six onshore units. Trinidad is an important gateway community because of its proximity to near-shore rocks that provide critical habitat for seabird colonies, cultural resource values, and scenic attractions for visitors and local residents. Since its start in 2005, the Trinidad Gateway partnership has built greater understanding of the notable natural and cultural resources associated with the monument. Trinidad Gateway has accomplished this by supporting and implementing diverse interpretation, education, restoration, and recreation projects within the monument.
In 2013, the Trinidad Gateway developed a well-regarded BLM Junior Explorer activity book for youth. The engaging, 32-page book offers games and activities for young people of all ages and highlights the natural and cultural resources associated with the BLM and the monument. This educational resource continues to be in high demand, with more than 20,000 books printed and disseminated. Given the high level of interest, monument staff will revise and reprint the book in 2018.
The Trinidad Gateway has hosted an array of events, including guided walks, lectures, field trips, and classroom activities. The group developed a Trinidad Coast Naturalist Training and outreach program, which offers participants the chance to learn about the cultural and natural history of the area through classroom and field study. These events have reached thousands of local residents as well as visitors from across the nation, enhancing understanding of public lands and resources in the Trinidad area.
Following the transfer of the Trinidad Head Lighthouse property from the Coast Guard to the BLM in 2014, the Trinidad Gateway assisted the BLM in developing the Environmental Assessment and Management Plan for the new acquisition. Community members volunteered countless hours to paint the lighthouse and provide tours, enabling the BLM Arcata Field Office to open the Trinidad Head Lighthouse to the public.
Designated a Hands on the Land (HOL) outdoor classroom in 2010, the Trinidad Gateway has hosted thousands of students from throughout Humboldt County; allowing them to explore tide pools, view nesting seabirds, visit the past through living history at the Trinidad Head Lighthouse, participate in monument-themed art contests, and contribute to citizen science data about sea star wasting disease. The HOL designation allows the Trinidad Gateway to reach a diverse audience through inclusion of students of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds.
The Trinidad Gateway has contributed to the development and presentation of excellent educational and interpretive materials. The organization developed a brochure highlighting opportunities to view the monument. Produced in 2007, the brochure has become the “go-to” map and guide for the Trinidad area, with over 80,000 copies printed.
The Trinidad Gateway also worked with the Arcata Field Office to develop the North Coast Seabird Protection Network. This effort to prevent human disturbance to seabird populations has resulted in increased community involvement through citizen science training and seabird outreach and education.
We have invited a representative of the Trinidad Gateway to Palm Springs, California, to accept the Excellence award at a special ceremony held in conjunction with the 2018 convention of the Public Lands Alliance (PLA). The PLA is an umbrella organization for interpretive associations and friends groups that foster stewardship and appreciation of Federal and State public lands and historic sites nationwide.
For additional information on the BLM’s Public Lands Partnership Excellence Award, please contact Brianna Candelaria, the BLM’s National Lead for Interpretation at bcandela@blm.gov, or Trevor Needham, National Partnerships Lead, at tneedham@blm.gov.
Signed by: Authenticated by:
Christopher J. McAlear Robert M. Williams
Assistant Director Division of IT Policy and Planning,WO-870
National Conservation Lands and
Community Partnerships