Established as an educational non-profit 501(c)3 organization in 1971, the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA) is devoted to enhancing the public's understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the Anza-Borrego Desert and surrounding areas.

We are dedicated to increasing awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of the Anza-Borrego Desert, one of the most beautiful places in the world.

ABDNHA's Desert Nature Center and Store, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, was opened in 1999 as headquarters for educational programs and special events. Since its founding, ABDNHA has published numerous books about the Anza-Borrego region, and the ABDNHA Nature Center offers one of the finest natural history book stores in the West. The Nature Center also serves as headquarters for all of our educational programs and special events.

 

ABDNHA AWARDED $10,000 IN 2012 ECOAMBASSADORS COMPETITION

The Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association is honored to announce we have won $10,000 in the 2012 EcoAmbassadors Event for San Diego County.  Out of approximately 40,000 total votes that were cast online for the eight organizations in this event, ABDNHA received over 11,500 votes.  This awards us with the second place position. 

 

This is a great accomplishment for Anza-Borrego, for ABDNHA and our members, for the residents and the community of Borrego Springs, and for the many children and teachers in the Borrego Springs School District who voted for us every day!

 

The Event

The EcoAmbassadors event was an online competition among eight non-profit environmental organizations in San Diego County, which were selected by the sponsors, SDG&E and the San Diego River Park Foundation,  for exceptional environmental education programs for K-12.  The prize money is provided by SDG&E. 

 

We were notified of our nomination in early October.  San Diego TV station CBS 8 KFMB came to Borrego Springs on October 19 to film a segment of our program with a group of our kids from Borrego Springs Elementary School in the desert. 

 

 

 

 

Why ABDNHA Was Selected

ABDNHA has been involved with K-12 education in the Borrego Springs School District for a number of years. The specific program which brought about our nomination was an extension of those local educational activities.  We were nominated for our new hands-on and online program:

This program is intended to continue and improve our local education activities and also to bring a bit of the Anza-Borrego Desert into the homes of moms, dads, grandparents, and kids themselves, far and wide, so they can learn about the desert and perhaps prepare for a family trip here.  The program will grow and develop more over time.

What Will We Do With The EcoAmbassador Award Money? 

 

ABDNHA plans to expand our Desert Exploration program with development of an outdoor learning center, a beautiful garden of desert plants and bird habitat on property ABDNHA owns adjacent to our nature center facility.  Situated among mature palo verde trees, the outdoor learning center will be a place of beauty, education, inspiration, and relaxation. It will extend our Desert Exploration Hands-on and Online program by providing a place where school children, families, visitors, and local residents can learn about the desert and enjoy the desert landscape. 

 

It is our intention that the ABDNHA Desert Garden will become a community project, something all of Borrego Springs will be proud of. It will also be a place where everyone who voted in the ECO Ambassador campaign can come to see the results of their efforts. 

 

If you would like to become involved in this project please give us your contact information:

 

  <a href="https://secure.blueoctane.net/forms/LJGUHB1D0TX7">Click Here To Load This Formexperts.com Form</a>

If you would like to make a donation you can do that online.

Desert Garden - Outdoor Learning Center Donation

FINALLY,  THANK YOU! TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED ABDNHA!

For those who have voted for ABDNHA, for the many thousands of people from around the world, we want to say THANK YOU for making this race YOUR RACE! 

 

We would also like to thank the program sponsors: SDG&E, the San Diego River Park Foundation, and CBS 8 KFMB San Diego.

 

Thank You!

Betsy Knaak - Executive Director. and the ABDNHA board of directors

Mike McElhatton - Educational Programs and Website

Andrea Taylor - Office Manager

Kathy DeMunck - Nature Center Manager

All the Members of ABDNHA!

 

ANZA BORREGO TIDBITS

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Many of you sent messages in response to our nightly reminders that you have enjoyed the little "Anza-Borrego Tidbits" at the end of the message, and so we will end with those photo tidbits.

 

 

Owls and Owlets at Borrego Springs High School

 

 

 

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