High Fives All Around for Education!
Well, we did it! We ran a stupendous season of desert education programs with the support of our participants and followers and a small but dedicated team of education staff and volunteers. Our programming included guided outdoor excursions, research-based programs, train-the-trainer programs, school-based programs, and virtual experiences. For a complete list of the program types we offer, click here.
To give you an idea of the impact we had this season, here are some summary statistics for your enjoyment:
Our journey doesn’t end here; it’s just the beginning! Over the past two years, we’ve increased the number of education programs by a staggering TWELVE times, expanded our free programs from one to eleven and tripled our education staff to support the growth in programs. And we’re not slowing down! We’re already gearing up for the next desert season, which kicks off in October, and we have ambitious plans to engage more volunteers, further enhance our team, broaden our offerings in a strategic and thoughtful manner.
Our goals for next year include:
- Connect with new and ongoing stakeholders to create maximum impact
- Invite new partnerships in all our program areas
- Develop a sustainable fee structure for grants, donations, fee-based, and subsidized programming
- Identify and engage new demographics to increase access to the Park
- Continue to increase our capacity for expanding education programs
Our vision for sharing the wonders of Anza-Borrego while protecting this public land is significant. As the official nonprofit partner of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, we are responsible for doing this with careful planning, integrity, and quality.
But the truth is, we couldn’t have done any of this without you, our supporters. Whether you attended an education program, purchased an item in our retail stores, donated money, shared a social media post, or are lovers of the Anza-Borrego desert, we continue to do this WITH and FOR you. We hope that these education programs continue to spread the love for this incredible resource, engage people in meaningful outdoor experiences, and create future protectors of the desert and all of nature. Thanks for being part of the family!
