HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/1/2014 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.G. ?ALMS,*
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Cot FOR N`P CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: October 1, 2014 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: APPROVE A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF AN
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER ADJACENT TO JOSHUA
TREE NATIONAL PARK
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Manager, Office of Sustainability
SUMMARY:
This action is to approve a resolution supporting the City of Palm Springs endorsement
of the National Park Services creation of a NatureBridge environmental education
center at the Joshua Tree National Park.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Council adopt the resolution as presented.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Joshua Tree National Park and NatureBridge seek to create an environmental
education center that will benefit children within the City of Palm Springs and throughout
the Valley. The National Park Service seeks the endorsement of the City of Palm
Springs City Council to support this endeavor. NatureBridge is the largest residential
education partner of the National Park Service and serves more than 30,000 students
each year at Yosemite National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Olympic
National Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Channel Islands
National Park, and Prince William Forest Park. They now seek to develop a similar
program at Joshua Tree National Park. This outdoor environmental education center will
connect students to the wonder and science of the desert while inspiring them to be the
stewards of tomorrow.
NatureBridge fosters environmental literacy to sustain our planet. Through hands-on
environmental science programs in nature's classroom, their programs bring science to
life for tens of thousands of students each year. With a vision for a more sustainable
planet, NatureBridge advocates for effective environmental education in our schools to
create pathways to environmental literacy for all young people.
ITEM NO.�._
City Council Staff Report
(insert meeting date) --Page 2
(insert-brief title)
The addition of an environmental education center here in our desert will be of an
immense positive impact. The City's Sustainability Commission voted to endorse the
resolution at their September 2014 meeting and the commission supports this program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Ther will be no fiscal i act to the City resulting from the adoption of the resolution.
Ichele Mician, Manager,
Office of Sustainability
David H. Ready, City r
Attachments: NatureBridge Resolution
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RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ENDORSING THE CREATION
OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER
ADJACENT TO JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK THAT
WOULD UTILIZE THE PARK AS AN OUTDOOR, LIVING
LABORATORY TO TEACH MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS WHO RESIDE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA,
ABOUT DESERT ECOLOGY, HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGY,
SUSTAINABILITY AND RECREATION.
Whereas the City of Palm Springs is a gateway community to Joshua Tree National
Park, a national treasure and biological gem where three diverse ecosystems converge,
encompassing almost 800,000 acres and attracting 1.4 million annual visitors who enjoy
the park's stunning scenery, remarkable biodiversity, rich history and archaeology,
outstanding recreational and educational opportunities and starry night skies;
Whereas Joshua Tree National Park is a living outdoor laboratory whose purpose
includes providing environmental and outdoor education experiences for youth to learn
about desert ecology, history, archaeology, sustainability and outdoor recreational skills;
Whereas Joshua Tree National Park and NatureBridge, the largest residential education
partner of the National Park Service that serves more than 30,000 students each year at
Yosemite National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Olympic National Park,
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Channel Islands National Park, and
Prince William Forest Park, seek to develop a Joshua Tree National Park outdoor
environmental education center that would connect students to the wonder and science
of the desert while inspiring them to be the stewards of tomorrow.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, DETERMINED AND ORDERED by the City
Council of the City of Palm Springs, as follows:
Section 1. Endorses the creation of a residential outdoor environmental
education center that will serve youth from the Palm Springs area and southern
California; will be located adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park; and under the
direction of NatureBridge and the National Park Service.
David H. Ready, City Manager
ATTEST:
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Resolution No.
Page 2
James Thompson, City Clerk
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that
Resolution No. is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on
by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
James Thompson, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs, California
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