Earth Systems Science, Inc.

NPCA-LACP: ESSI-Expo Volunteers in Death Valley

Apr 05, 2003

(Update: 17 Apr 2003; photos of this trip are available for viewing at www.pbase.com/essi)

The initial phase of the ESSI-Expo Neighbors NPCA-LACP volunteer project to survey Mosaic Canyon Trail was completed from Mar 30-Apr 2. Extremely high winds caused the trip to end one day early.

This volunteer effort was a collaboration between Death Valley National Park (DVNP) and the National Parks Conservation Association's Los Angeles Community Partner (NPCA-LACP) groups (Earth Systems Science, Inc.---ESSI--- and the Expo Neighbors Association). Richard Boland, facilitated the group's park visit and campground arrangements at Breakfast Canyon. Terry Baldino provided an National Park Service career orientation for the 16 volunteers.

The volunteers then applied the Geographic Systems Model to gather background data from the Furnance Creek Visitor Center displays. This was followed by an orientation hike in Mosaic Canyon. Basic training was provided in the areas of general outdoor skills, minimal impact methods, basic trail survey techniques (measuring magnetic azimuths, measuring slope with an abney level, selecting trail survey points and features).

The volunteers completed the basic trail survey in one long day of work, covering approximately 3 miles. The field data will be entered into a computer to generate the rough trail alignment diagram. Additional reference research and drafting the actual trail guide is Phase 2 of this project. Phase 3 calls for staff at Death Valley National Park to review the draft trail guide.

The trail guide was originally conceived as a Geography Field Methods class project. The current California education budget crisis cause Pasadena City College to cancel the class. The project idea was resurrected as an NPCA-LACP-NPS collaborative pilot. The NPS, as are all federal agencies, is undergoing budget crunches. Although the Mosaic Canyon trail and Stovepipe Wells were known and used for more many years, no trail guide was available. The usual procedure is for an Interpretive Ranger to write a guide booklet. But time, staff, and money are now in short supply. The NPCA is actively pursuing a Cultural Diversity program directed at park employment and visitors. The LACP strives to "connect all people to all parks." (Diversity was alive and well. Of the 16 volunteers, about 1/3 were female, about 1/2 had not been to Death Valley before, and the group included Caucasians, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai, and Hispanics.) ESSI focuses on community-based environmental education. Expo Neighbors Association created the Expo Rangers to educate and train urban youth using outdoor educational activities. So it seemed quite natural for the Mosaic Canyon Trail survey to be done as a collaboration of mutual benefit.

Watch for updates on the progress of the self-guided trail booklet.

Photo Notes (clockwise from the top left): Some of the LACP volunteers at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Afternoon training on basic trail surveying techniques. Survey a portion of the Mosaic Canyon trail. A career orientation briefing at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.

All photos by Tatsunori. Copyright 2003, ESSI. All rights reserved.