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Party for the Planet and the California Desert Nature Festival are honored to introduce Joseph Cornell to our community. He will be conducting two workshops and will be the keynote speaker for the Environmental Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 12, 2008 Joseph Cornell earned his B.S. degree in Nature Awareness from California State University, Chico in 1973, and an M.S. degree in Nature Awareness from the University of the Trees in Boulder Creek, California in 1979. Joseph Cornell's first book, Sharing Nature with Children, sold 450,000 copies in 19 languages, sparking a worldwide revolution in nature education and becoming an instant classic. Joseph's books now serve as popular nature-education resources all over the globe.He established the Sharing Nature Foundation in 1979 which uses creative nature activities to give people joyful and inspiring experiences of nature. http://www.sharingnature.com/JosephCornell.html A native of Chicago, Ms. Albrecht earned a bachelor’s in Liberal Arts at University of California Santa Barbara, Goleta, Calif., where she also minored in both biology and geography. In 1986 she received a teaching certificate from California State University, Fullerton, Calif.; this was followed with a master’s in Education and Administration from Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, Calif., in 1989. Between 1985 and 2002, she was the director of the Natural Science Education Department for the Palm Springs Desert Museum, Palm Springs, Calif. During this time Ms. Albrecht designed and lead a number of field trips for school groups, which included overnight trips at Amboy Carter, the Salton Sea, Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Monument and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Additionally she was working at the College of the Desert, Palm Desert, Calif., in the applied science division from 2000 to 2003. http://www.blm.gov/ca/palmsprings/santarosa/santa_rosa_national_monument.html
Leanna’s many civic activities include being a Pegasus Partner for the Pegasus Riding Academy of the Desert; Member of the Desert Women’s Council; The Women Leaders Forum and in 2005, she became a member of NATAS, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Pacific Southwest Chapter. She is also a major benefactor for the Natural Science Collaborative and the California Desert Nature Festival by providing the organizations with office and meeting space along with donating her time and studios to the many projects the Collaborative undertakes. You will see her, with video camera in hand, throughout the festival. www.casablancastudios.com
http://www.collegeofthedesert.edu/Directory/detail.asp?id=115
She holds a B.A.in studio art from California State University, Long Beach and a M. A. from Azuza Pacific University. Elaine retired as Chair person of the Art Department at Savanna HS in Anaheim, California, in order to devote more time to painting. Her favorite subjects are the coast, mountains and deserts of California. Elaine's are work is included in the art collections of the Nissan Motor Corporation, AVCO Financial and private collections.
himself in his first passion, natural history. Motivated by this love of nature he has committed himself to sharing with others his appreciation for the desert environment.
As a volunteer and docent, he gives talks and leads nature walks and interpretive hikes about the Coachella Valley and environs on behalf of several natural history organizations. These include; The Living Desert, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, Bureau of Land Management, Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, Wildlands Conservancy at Pipes Canyon, San Jacinto State Park, Friends of The Desert Mountains, the Natural Science Collaborative and the Desert Trails Hiking Club. Joe’s interests include geology, especially this very tectonically active region of south eastern California. He believes that an indispensable part of appreciating our natural history involves interpreting geology as a dynamic and “living” process which has a fundamental influence on the local environment. He regularly gives talks and teaches classes on geology, plate tectonics, earthquakes and earthquake preparedness. Joe has a BA in Zoology from UCLA and is a Certified Interpretive Guide by the National Association for Interpretation.
Both books look at nature as a serene element in daily life. Detailed waterpolor paintings illustrate each chapter. A former teacher, librarian, interior designer and acting director of the Orange County Natural History Museum, she is married with three children and six grandchildren. Prior to Beachwalk, she illustrated Blue Gates, a children's poetry book, was included in an anthology of nature writing and illustrated archeology artifacts for the Pacific Coast Archaeological Society Quarterly. The outdoors has always been her teacher and it is the power and grandeur of nature that she translates into words and pictures in her books and lectures.
An avid photo buff since High school, Jeff has made his carrier working in the photo industry. He has owned his own camera repair shop as well as managed many camera stores in the last 30 years. He currently is the General Manager of Johnson Old Town Photo. Jeff Came to the Desert in 2005 to help the new owner of Johnson Photo continue its long tradition of providing the desert with small town service and knowledge, that has been lost in the big box era of business. Johnson Old Town Photo located in Indio Ca. is the only full service photographic specialty dealer in the Coachella Valley. Providing the Coachella valley with a custom digital photo lab, Onsite Photo restoration and of course the valleys largest selection of Nikon, Canon and Pentax camera equipment.
Theresa Pawley was raised on a ranch in Coachella Valley with a vast curiosity of her natural surroundings. Her education includes Art History, Education, and Cultural Anthropology. She served as director, acting director and instructor for preschool children ages 4 and 5, for the City of Bell and for Harbor View School in Newport Beach. Theresa has earned a Naturalist Certificate from Desert Adventure Jeep Tours for successfully completing their courses.
Husband and wife filmmaking team Peter and Melanie Rhalter have been documenting stories of the west since 1996. Their Random Walk Productions (www.parkfilms.com) films have screened at national and international film festivals and juried competitions and have won numerous awards for excellence not only for their cinematography, editing and writing but also as travel, nature and history productions. More film info: http://www.parkfilms.com/season_new_2006.html
Joanna's friend in the photo is Einstein. He is a Burrowing Owl who was injured by a car and cannot be released. Einstein has a career as a teacher for The Living Desert and is the star of a TV pilot, Mother Nature, Naturally!
For more information click www.livingdesert.org |
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© 2008 California Desert Nature Festival |
Tracy Albrecht began working for the Bureau of Land Management in November 2002, as the Interpretive Specialist for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Her responsibilities include the planning and proposing outreach and educational interpretive projects for use in academic, private, and public venues. Focusing on local conservation biology, and ecosystems, she is working on developing a strong academic program, involving students in the wonders of nature and physical well-being of themselves and the National Monument.
Leanna Bonamici is the Vice President of Casablanca Studios and Executive Producer for Grace B. Productions in Desert Hot Springs. She is the founder and past president of the Palm Springs Chapter of Women in Film. Leana has produced several corporate projects, including two for Tony Robbins, and non-profit projects in and around the Coachella Valley. With director and co-producer, Maggie Abbott, Leanna produced the documentary “Desert Hot Springs: Home of the Healing Waters” under the Hot Springs Productions banner. Currently, Leanna is producing three television programs with producing partner Kathleen Von Dehn, entitled “California Real Estate Media Network - Desert Edition;” a half-hour property preview show; “The Spa Show” which features the Spa’s of the area and beyond and third, “Two Forks Up” which features restaurants in the Valley.
Mike Chedester, Curator of Education, The Living Desert. Graduated from California State University, San Luis Obispo. Mike spent 16 years in the classroom teaching Science at the secondary level. As Curator of Education at The Living Desert, Mikes responsibilities include managing all interpretive programs, Including Living Desert University, ZOO-TO-YOU Classroom outreach, Summer ZOOCAMP and The popular 600 strong Volunteer & Docent program. Mikes Love for the natural world is evident in his work as a nationally Certified Interpretive Guide with the National Association for Interpretation. He is an active member of AZA America Association of Zoo’s and Aquariums, MESC Museum Educators of Southern California, IZE International Zoo Educators and NSC Natural Science Collaborative of the Desert Region.
Jeff Green has been an editor and a publisher for the past fourteen years, and his poetry has been widely published. He is a co-editor of Epicenter: A Literary Magazine, (www.epicentermagazine.org). He is co-founder of a small press, Petroglyph Books. Most recently, his poetry has been published in "Askew," "The Sun Runner," "[Com]motion," "The Pacific Review," "Alimentium: The Journal of Food," "Poetic Diversity," and "Cynic Magazine." He coordinates various poetry readings in the Inland Empire and desert regions, including for the upcoming Palm Springs Book Festival, and is a supporting member of Riverside Underground Poets Organization. He is the graphic designer for the yearly College of the Desert literary/visual arts magazine, “Solstice,” and also for the recently-published “Palms to Pines Birding and Nature Trail.” He lives in Riverside.
Michelle O. Hedgecock is an anthropologist and natural science educator who has presented several programs related to native plant/animal use and study, including introductory information on Cahuilla relationships to native plants and animals. She promotes the importance of these subjects through natural and cultural science education programs and field trips with her own Caliso Learning, and through collaborations with such groups as CSUSB’s Elderhostel program, Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, the Natural Science Collaborative of the Desert Region. She completed her A.S. degree in Botany at College of the Desert and graduated with a B.A. in Anthropology from California State University, San Bernardino, blending the two subjects in an effort to inspire individual appreciation and responsibility for the natural and cultural histories of the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas of which she is a lifelong resident. 
Muriel Horacek is a volunteer Field Representative for Earthwatch Institute, an international nonprofit organization that joins scientists and ordinary people in preserving a sustainable future for the inhabitants of earth. She has taken 35 Earthwatch expeditions which as taken her around the world to participate in amazing projects. Muriel promotes Earthwatch by giving talks to schools and organizations and setting up and staffing information booths at festivals and travel shows. She has 8 grandchildren who have (or will as soon as they are old enough) participated in Earthwatch adventures. 
Jonatha Kalayjian has lived in the Coachella Valley for 18 years. She is a Naturalist for the Coachella Valley Preserve, where as a covered wagon tour guide, she teaches people about native desert plants and animals, as well as the history of the Cahuilla Indians and first settlers of the area. Jona loves to share her knowledge and has taught children’s science classes for the Natural Science Collaborative Summer Program. Jona’s experience includes having worked as an Assistant Instructor for the Natural Science Education Connection, a non-profit program that for two years brought natural sciences education to 4th - 6th graders in Desert Hot Springs, CA. Jona will soon be joining the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum’s Education Program as an interpreter. She loves the desert and its wildlife, and is an advocate for wild mustangs and burros. 
Kurt Leuschner is an Associate Professor of Natural Resources at College of the Desert where he teaches courses on Conservation, Entomology, Field Ornithology, Native Plants, and GPS Navigation. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from U.C. Santa Barbara and a Master’s in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Florida. Kurt has extensive experience abroad including a year at the University of Nairobi, a semester studying Tropical Biology in Costa Rica, 2 years in the Peace Corps working in Tanzania’s Wildlife Division, Master’s research in the Kibale Forest of Uganda, and 2 years running a hotel and horse-riding school in the Bavarian Alps of Germany. Kurt continues to take groups on photographic safaris to Africa, the Galapagos, and various locations in the southwestern United States. Kurt is very active locally – volunteering for the Mt. San Jacinto State Park, the Living Desert, the BLM, the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, and the National Audubon Society. He is the founder of the Desert Cities Bird Club and serves as President of the Natural Science Collaborative. His most recent publication is the Palms to Pines Birding and Nature Trail map and brochure. Kurt also teaches weekend courses and workshops on birdwatching, insects, GPS, and backyard habitats for Cal State San Bernardino Extension, UCR Extension, the Desert Institute, and the Living Desert University.
Meilani MacDonald is Public Information Associate for Mission Springs Water District (MSWD), the home of award-winning drinking water. Her main focus is in water conservation education and outreach. This is an especially important issue in the desert, where approximately 70% of residential water use occurs in the landscape. Look for Meilani at the MSWD booth, where you find useful resources and information on creating and caring for a beautiful, desert-friendly landscape. Meilani is available locally for public speaking and presentations on the importance of water conservation. You may reach her via Contact Us page of the Mission Springs Water District web site at 
Elaine Mathews' family moved from Ohio to Compton, California in her infancy. Her formative years were spend drawing and painting the changing light and shadows cast by the sun on the San Gabriel Mountains.
Joe Migliore returned to desert living in 2000 and quickly re-immersed
Audrey Schumacher Moe, author and illustrator of Beachwalk, An Everyday Journey through Sea, Sand and Soul is a seven year resident of the Coachella Valley. Her new book, Desertwalk, A Search for Secrets of the Desert will be available by midsummer.
Ruth Nolan holds her M.A. in English/Creative Writing from Northern Arizona University. A former wildland firefighter/hotshot crew member for the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, she currently teaches desert literature, poetry, Native American literature, and other courses at College of the Desert, where she is Assistant Professor of English. She also teaches weekend seminars in desert literature and poetry for the Desert Studies Center / California State University, and for UCR Extension. She gives talks/presentations on desert literature and poetry throughout the Coachella Valley and beyond.
Jeff Owens is a native Southern California resident. He has worked with many of the family owned photographic stores from Bakersfield to right here in the Coachella Valley.
John Malcolm Penn’s Songs Of California are called by kids and adults alike“So much fun you’ll get historical” John is a rare man who has researched various California historical facts, legends and sites, written songs about them, put them on CD’s, and performs them in concerts. A consummate storyteller, this is a fresh and exiciting new look at California history. This is his second year at the California Desert Nature Festival and we affectionately call him California’s Walking Musical History Book! 
Joanna Stark is an educator, naturalist and a curriculum and freelance writer. She is founder of the California Desert Nature Festival, the founder and past-president of the South Texas Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association and past editor/author of the “Kids Page” for the Butterfly Gardner Magazine. Joanna has served on the Board of the Friends of the Wildlife Corridor for Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Texas Environmental Education Partnership Steering Committee and is currently on the Board of Directors for Cabot's Pueblo Museum. She is the recipient of the Texas Festival & Events Volunteer of the Year and is the Director of the Natural Science Collaborative and the California Desert Nature Festival in Southern California. Joanna is a contributing essayist for the fourth Valley Land Fund National Photo Contest Book “Focus on the Wild: Saving South Texas Wildlife” and, along with her husband, Ron, a contributing author for the best selling book “Masters of Success” and "Masters of Sales". She may be best known as “Mother Nature” for her costumed presentations on the environment and founded Mother Nature Productions.
John Warden is a USDA Forest Service Wilderness Ranger and has worked both as a volunteer, staff or both! He has been a Backpacking Instructor and Leave No Trace Trainer at Stanislaus National Forest since 1998. John is also a skilled photographer specializing in landscape and nature. www.johnwardenphotography.smugmug.com.
THE WRITE SISTERS: Debbie Bertram and Susan Bloom have been a writing team for more than six years. Susan taught elementary school and Debbie worked in television production and they met when Debbie’s daughter was a student in Susan’s class. They became friends and a writing team. Their first book The Best Place to Read (Random House 2003) and the Best Time to Read (Random House 2005) are best-selling picture books that celebrate the joy of reading. Debbie and Susan live in Rancho Mirage, California. Their latest book, A Monument to Treasure, (Desert Publications, Inc. 2005) will be featured throughout the California Desert Nature Festival. The Write Sisters along with illustrator, Stuart Funk, have created an adventure through modern day Santa Rosa and San Jaciento Mountains with legends, history and natural science as seen through the eyes of Grandpa and Bobby.
Dee Zeller is the Host/Naturalist of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Dee's expertise in bird watching has been valuable to visitors from many states and countries. He leads informative bird walks and shares his extensive knowledge of Preserve plants and animals during tours. Dee also assists in the maintenance of trails and grounds, and greets visitors to the Preserve. Betty Zeller is Host/Administrator for the Preserve.Betty manages the environmental education program by coordinating tour schedules, docents, and teachers for field trips and programs. She also answers phone questions and requests for mailing of brochures and maps.
