THE MOJAVE SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT A Community Approach to Education in Ecosystem Restoration and Natural Resource Management Neville Slade Agriculture and Natural Resources Department Victor Valley College

The Southwest portions of the Mojave are collectively referred to as the “High Desert” which remains one of the most affordable regions in which to buy a home in California THE HIGH DESERT

Where to start Inventory of college Resources

Identify existing community sustainable practices and engaged entities

Develop a Strategic Plan Define a Purpose educate, educate, educate, teach, teach…… educate, educate, educate, teach, teach…… Clear Design Goals applied science hands-on/real-world projects emerging technology sustainability ethic Student-leadership Understand the client

SUSTAINABILITY ETHIC ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES SOCIAL VALUES ECONOMIC VALUES SUSTAINABILITY ETHIC SUSTAINABILITY ETHIC = THE NEXUS OF SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES To develop a sustainability ethic, a community must have: 1) a fundamental understanding of its environmental, social and economic needs 2) an appreciation for how and with what resources those needs will be met for both present and future generations 3) local professionals with the technical and administrative capacity to measure and mitigate the environmental and social consequences of its economic growth

A high number of rare, threatened, or endangered plant and animal species. Five on one of our mine sites. Understand your landscape….get involved

PRESSURES PRESSURES The Southern California Association of Governments estimates that by 2030, the high desert population will increase 200% from 2000 levels. Population Growth For past 50 years, the groundwater withdrawal of Southern California has exceeded the rate of natural recharge. Overdrafted Water Supplies An increase in industrial and manufacturing activity will be required to meet the increasing demand for mineral, energy and agricultural resources. Industrial Activity Southern California cities have experienced a 50% increase in land area over a two-decade span. Urban Sprawl 300 people move to San Bernardino & Riverside counties per day. Rapid Housing Development

SOWING THE SEEDS A community that was ready to engage In 2001, the Agriculture Department of Victor Valley Community College added a Natural Resources Management focus and began investigating local community needs and opportunities for collaboration. In 2001, the Agriculture Department of Victor Valley Community College added a Natural Resources Management focus and began investigating local community needs and opportunities for collaboration. Five Partners pledged financial and technical support to the department, providing “seed money” and technical expertise to help build a natural resources education program for the High Desert Five Partners pledged financial and technical support to the department, providing “seed money” and technical expertise to help build a natural resources education program for the High Desert While meeting needs of the partners, various innovative environmental education programs have been piloted While meeting needs of the partners, various innovative environmental education programs have been piloted The active role of the partners has increased their feeling of ownership and this collaborative “grassroots” approach has allowed the scope of the partnerships to evolve into the The active role of the partners has increased their feeling of ownership and this collaborative “grassroots” approach has allowed the scope of the partnerships to evolve into the “Mojave Sustainability Project” “Mojave Sustainability Project”

Collaboration Seed Collection & Storage Seed Collection & Storage Plant Propagation for Reclamation Plant Propagation for Reclamation Increased Public Awareness Increased Public Awareness –Economic Contribution of Industry –Environmental Stewardship of Industry Future Professionals Future Professionals Financial Support of Academic Program Internship Opportunities for Students Assistance with Curriculum – –Guest Lectures, Adjunct Professorships – –Field Trips – –“Real World” Class Projects GIS Data Collection GIS Data Collection Increased Public Awareness Increased Public Awareness –Water Conservation –Air Quality –Threatened & Endangered Species –Habitat Conservation & Restoration Future Professionals Future Professionals RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCIES MINE INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Student projects that meet community needs Equipment Operators document location and behaviors of a small local herd of Bighorn Sheep. Equipment Operators document location and behaviors of a small local herd of Bighorn Sheep. Students incorporate the sighting card data and photos into a GIS Database Students incorporate the sighting card data and photos into a GIS Database Motion-sensitive cameras located at watering holes and springs document frequency of use by wildlife Motion-sensitive cameras located at watering holes and springs document frequency of use by wildlife This data will supplement data collected by California Department of Fish and Game This data will supplement data collected by California Department of Fish and Game

Success

Educational Products Addition of essential science classes: soil science, environmental science, plant science. Addition of essential science classes: soil science, environmental science, plant science. Sustainability classes Sustainability classes Vocational Certificates in Natural Resource Management, Water Conservation, Restoration and Geo-Spatial Technology Vocational Certificates in Natural Resource Management, Water Conservation, Restoration and Geo-Spatial Technology

Applied Science

Educational Products Internships and work-study programs….students gain valuable job skills while working along-side professionals in multiple disciplines Internships and work-study programs….students gain valuable job skills while working along-side professionals in multiple disciplines Professionals from the industry…. assisted in the development of the curriculum and enhance educational experience via becoming adjunct professors Professionals from the industry…. assisted in the development of the curriculum and enhance educational experience via becoming adjunct professors

Educational Products Local Mine Managers offer guest lectures at mine sites to discuss the role of mining and minerals in the local economy and the basic tenets of sustainable development Local Mine Managers offer guest lectures at mine sites to discuss the role of mining and minerals in the local economy and the basic tenets of sustainable development

Students assist in existing research projects

Desert Field Studies

Classes with relevance

Educational Products Students are working with the Mojave Water Agency and the community conservation group Alliance for Water Awareness and Conservation (AWAC) to develop ground water management and curriculum Students are working with the Mojave Water Agency and the community conservation group Alliance for Water Awareness and Conservation (AWAC) to develop ground water management and curriculum The Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District has helped develop a weather and air quality monitoring curriculum unit The Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District has helped develop a weather and air quality monitoring curriculum unit Financial support from partners used to build a native seed bank and nursery for the Mojave Desert Financial support from partners used to build a native seed bank and nursery for the Mojave Desert

COMMUNITY OUTREACH College has facilitated outreach to local high schools, garden clubs, environmental awareness organizations and scout troops College has facilitated outreach to local high schools, garden clubs, environmental awareness organizations and scout troops Select courses are transmitted to remote high schools Select courses are transmitted to remote high schools Various workshops and events have been held for the general public to promote awareness in conservation: Various workshops and events have been held for the general public to promote awareness in conservation: Annual Mojave Conservation Workshop Annual Mojave Conservation Workshop Mine Revegetation Seminars Mine Revegetation Seminars Sustainable Building Workshops Sustainable Building Workshops Sustainable Agriculture-Food Outreach Sustainable Agriculture-Food Outreach

Taking it to the next level Develop new focuses, incorporate new partners Develop new focuses, incorporate new partners Manage it in the Community College System Manage it in the Community College System Attract students Attract students Hire staff Hire staff Environmental and Sustainable Studies Pathway High School to University Multple entrance and exit points

Where’d he go Challenges

Thanks