MBCA News»2017 Annual Meeting & Water Symposium Report
2017 Annual Meeting & Water Symposium Report
by Laraine Turk 1307sc on January 30, 2017
At MBCA's 48th Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 28, members and supporters of MBCA heard a brief summary of MBCA's 2016 accomplishments and challenges, followed by an inspiring story of teaching high school students to appreciate the natural environment, ending with an information-rich panel presentation by local water officials.
Invasive Saharan mustard decorates the MBCA information table.
President Sarah Kennington opened the meeting with a summary of MBCA's 2016 actions and ongoing activities, then thanked and honored MBCA's steadfast volunteers, beginning with Volunteer Coordinator Cathy Zarakov, who was presented with an orchid. As a small token of thanks, potted cactus plants were presented to our website guru Nora Lousignant and a group of frequent volunteers: LynAnne Felts, Pat Freter, Betsy Goza, Kathleen Lowndes, Norma Mackie, and Ann Murdy. Their welcome efforts in making our meetings and events run smoothly are greatly appreciated!
The Ruth Denison Environmental Conservation Scholarship was announced. The audience was encouraged to share the scholarship information with others to encourage current Morongo Basin high school seniors who are considering a career related to conservation or environmental work to apply.
Introduced by Director Ruth Rieman, Yucca Valley High School science teacher Cindy Zacks then shared stories from her 17 years of helping students understand and appreciate the natural world, through ecology classes and outings and the development of a garden on the school property.
Stacy Moore, editor of the Hi Desert Star, served as moderator for presentations and a question-and-answer session by four water district representatives. The sharing of information about issues, challenges, and solutions among the districts was appreciated by the representatives as well as the audience.
Moderator Stacey Moore, Hi Desert Star Curt Sauer, JBWD and Marina West, BDVWA
Tony Culver, HDWD Matt Shragge, TPWD
Within the Annual Meeting Program you will find background information on our honored guest Cindy Zacks and the four water district representatives. On the program insert "Fact Sheet" you will find a map of the four districts and a Question and Answer Fact Sheet about water issues in the Morongo Basin.
A new study in the online journal Ecology Letters focuses on changes to Joshua tree viability and blooming since the early 20th century. The study uses data from citizen scientist reports of Joshua trees and their blooms through the iNaturalist app, plus historic data. While climate change seems to be increasing the frequency of Joshua Tree blooming, it is also negatively affecting the survival of Joshua tree seedlings. A Los...
MBCA Joins Appeal against Weakening California Environmental Protections
As the California Legislative session draws to a close, MBCA has joined with 93 other organizations signing a letter opposing efforts to "gut and amend" legislation that would weaken environmental protections without public input.
Video Examines Aratina Solar Project Approval and Joshua Tree Destruction
A new YouTube video explores the history of protection for Joshua trees and the controversially approved destruction of 4000 Joshua trees for the Aratina Solar Project in Kern County.
MBCA Questions Joshua Tree Housing Development Proposal
Local Joshua Tree residents alerted MBCA about receiving a notice from the County about a proposed housing project in their neighborhood. Recipients were offered the opportunity to comment on a Tentative Tract map application to subdivide about 18.5 undeveloped acres into 64 parcels of "minimal impact" homes. MBCA's comments highlight the lack of information on the project and insufficient time window for providing comments. We question any claims concerning sustainability and responsible growth and development. Also addressed is the lack of...
A County Update reports that the addition of a third Code Enforcement Team has improved the availability of the South Desert Team that serves the Morongo Basin. Code Enforcement Chief Ignacio Nunez states that “The new Central Desert Team has helped to reduce the number of cases handled by other desert officers, allowing them to respond more quickly to new cases and follow up on ongoing cases. Officers now have...
A new video highlighting Joshua Tree's Desert View Conservation Area has been produced by San Bernardino County, whose Special Districts department oversees the preserved acreage. This free daytime recreation area north of Joshua Tree National Park has received improvements for visitors in recent years and additional educational signage is planned.
MBCA Joins Coalition Supporting Bi-Directional EV Requirement in California
Joining with 113 state and national organizations, MBCA signed onto a letter in support of California's AB 59, a bill which would mandate that future electrical vehicles be bi-directional, providing a source of power to households when needed. As noted in our June 24 Eblast, "With the many recent setbacks to rooftop solar, this legislation would serve to encourage rooftop solar and micro-grid DG generation, while providing resilience to our...
MBCA Joins Group Comment on Jurupa Valley Warehouse and Ancient Oak
MBCA was among 14 Inland Empire non-profit groups supporting a comment letter concerned with the Rio Vista Specific Plan for the Riverside County City of Jurupa. The Plan includes a warehouse and other industrial development that, in addition to air quality, water, and urban heat impacts, would endanger the over 13,000 year old Jurupa oak, among the oldest living things on the planet. The letter contains extensive analysis of problems with...
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Fever Disease Rising in Morongo Basin
There are reports in various locations of the Morongo Basin of dead rabbits and hares likely dead of the hemorrhagic disease that was virulent several years ago. Read this information from the state for recognizing and handling dead animals that might carry the disease. It is important to note that this type of virus is only known to affect rabbits and hares, not other animals or humans.
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