Special Events at the Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center
Last updated 1/22/2018 at 11:30am
New life has been given to the desert plants and animals in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park with members of the Anza-Borrego Foundation already hosting a number of special events, beginning Friday, Jan. 19.
The weekend activities planned at the Desert Research Center in Borrego Springs, begins with a lecture by biologist Kate Boersma, Ph.D., Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on adaptations of Anza-Borrego’s desert-dwelling aquatic organisms and a field class in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in search of often-overlooked creatures.
Boersma, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology at University of San Diego, and her team plan to take participants in the “Anza-Borrego: In Focus – High and Dry” class to two aquatic habitats in the Coyote Canyon area as Boersma collects samples on the varieties of aquatic organisms found there.
Boersma’s research at the University of San Diego focuses on the adaptations that allow aquatic organisms to survive in an environment that does not guarantee water. This focus includes specific areas such as how these organisms and their aquatic communities react after disturbances to their environment, how they have and continue to adapt to survive extreme Drought situations and how disturbances affect their active role within their aquatic communities.
“Can’t make it to Anza-Borrego, but want to learn more? ABF will be at Adventure 16 San Diego Jan. 24 and Adventure 16 West LA Jan. 26, to give an overview of the park, what ABF does and what you can do in this vast and wondrous landscape in eastern San Diego County. Come on out and say ‘hi,’ we’d love to meet you,” Education Manager Briana Puzzo said.
For more information and registration, visit http://www.theABF.org/events or call Education Manager Briana Puzzo at (760) 767-0446, ext.1004.
Join the Anza-Borrego Foundation for a one-of-a-kind concert and visual experience with violinist/violist and composer Beth Chafey-Hon from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, for those interested in learning more about the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
Inspired by her time spent at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Chafey-Hon has composed a series of 11 pieces showcasing different striking features of the desert. Titles include “Roadrunner on Patrol” and “Fierce Mountain Singing.”
Chafey-Hon has created and curated this concert out of her love of the spectacular place, and has generously offered to contribute all proceeds to the ABF and our work to continue conserving it through education, park support and land acquisition
Tickets are $25 and are available online for the concert Friday Feb. 16 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. held at the Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center. Wine will be sold at the event.
For more information, contact donor relations manager Bri Fordem at bfordem@theabf.org or 760-767-0446 ext. 1006.
She will be accompanied by a collection of photographs from her personal collection and from the Anza-Borrego Desert Photo Contest. Each photograph will provide a visual backdrop as the music weaves its way through the audience’s mind, creating greater mental pictures of the Anza-Borrego Desert.
