ABF in Action: Stacy Valdez, Community Engagement Coordinator
ABF in Action is our monthly spotlight series highlighting the people who bring Anza-Borrego Foundation’s mission to life. Each month, we introduce you to a member of our dedicated team—the people working behind the scenes (and in the heart of the desert!) to protect the Park, inspire visitors, and connect our community to California’s largest state park.
This month, we’re spotlighting Stacy Valdez, Community Engagement Coordinator, whose work helps build meaningful connections between people, community, and the extraordinary landscape of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
“What excites me most is helping people reconnect to the land and to the outdoors in a way that feels personal. When someone slows down, notices the details, and truly enjoys the Park, something shifts. They don’t just visit — they build a relationship with the desert.”
With deep roots in the region and a passion for welcoming people into the desert experience, Stacy plays an important role in expanding ABF’s outreach and strengthening relationships with the communities that surround and visit the Park. Her work helps ensure that more people feel invited to explore Anza-Borrego, understand its significance, and become stewards of this remarkable landscape.
Through her work connecting people to place, ABF continues to grow a community of visitors, volunteers, and supporters dedicated to protecting Anza-Borrego for generations to come.
What excites you about connecting people to ABF’s mission?
What excites me most is helping people reconnect to the land and to the outdoors in a way that feels personal. When someone slows down, notices the details, and truly enjoys the Park, something shifts. They don’t just visit — they build a relationship with the desert. And when that happens, we gain not only Park lovers, but long-term stewards who feel a responsibility to care for this place.
How do volunteers and community members strengthen ABF’s work?
Our volunteers and community members are the foundation of what we do. Their dedication, time, and heart make our programs possible. Simply put, we couldn’t do this work without them. They extend our reach, deepen our impact, and bring energy and authenticity to everything we offer.
What’s the most rewarding part of doing outreach in the desert?
The most rewarding part is building relationships with people who fall in love with the Park — sometimes for the first time. I especially value reaching communities who may not see themselves reflected in what they typically imagine a “state park” to be. Working in the landscape I grew up in makes it even more meaningful. Sharing this desert with both locals and visitors feels personal and purposeful.
How do you see outreach supporting ABF’s mission in the long term?
Outreach keeps the mission alive by welcoming new generations and new visitors into the story of Anza-Borrego. Whether someone is from Borrego Springs or visiting from across the world, creating meaningful experiences here increases the likelihood they’ll return, support the Park, and advocate for its protection.
What moments make you most proud in this role?
I feel most proud when someone tells me they see the desert differently now — that they learned something new, felt something unexpected, or want to come back and share it with others. Those moments of transformation matter. It’s especially meaningful when someone shares that my presence or guidance helped shape that experience in a positive way and that it changed how they connected with the program or the landscape. Knowing I was able to help facilitate that shift is incredibly rewarding.
How do you personally feel connected to the Park?
As a child, I drove through the Park with my parents on our way to San Diego without even realizing it was a state park. I grew up just 20 minutes away in the same desert landscape, but it wasn’t until adulthood that I began exploring it intentionally — camping in Blair Valley, driving through on my way to Jacumba, slowly expanding my comfort zone into new areas.
While it took time to really explore it, I fell in love with the area quickly — just like many people do once they spend even a little intentional time here.
Where do you love to bring new visitors in Anza-Borrego?
It’s hard to choose just one. For more experienced hikers, I love the Domelands and Wind Caves Loop on the south side of the Park. The views over the Carrizo Badlands, the sculpted formations, and the changing geology make it unforgettable.
For beginners to intermediate hikers, Ocotillo Flat in Coyote Canyon is a favorite — especially at night in the warmer months. The abundance of ocotillos creates incredible silhouettes, and their long shadows stretch across the washes as the light fades. With a blue light, you can spot scorpions, bats move across the sky, and wildlife leaves fresh tracks in the sand. The dark sky out there is exceptional — the stars feel close and endless.
For those seeking something quieter and more reflective, Mine Wash offers a powerful connection to the Kumeyaay people. The village sites and morteros remind us that this land has been cared for since time immemorial.
Why does protecting Anza-Borrego matter to you personally?
Protecting Anza-Borrego matters to me because I love the wildlife, the plants, the open space, and the sense of perspective it offers. It’s also the ecosystem I grew up in, so protecting it feels personal — like caring for home.
I want future generations to experience that same wonder and connection to this landscape. The desert gives me community when I’m sharing it with others and solitude when I need to reset. That balance is something worth protecting.
Want to experience Anza-Borrego in a deeper way?
Join one of our upcoming programs or volunteer opportunities, to explore the Park alongside the people who help bring its stories to life. Every experience helps build a stronger community of stewards for Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.