Pinnacles National Monument is nearing its 100th year in operation, and a movement to increase awareness and visitation to the park is now underway.
The mission of the recently formed Pinnacles Partnership is, according to the group’s Web site, to “ensure excellence in education, resource stewardship and visitor experiences at Pinnacles National Monument for present and future generations.” Because visitation to parks nationwide is actually diminishing, concerned Pinnacles staff, conservationists and local residents are looking for ways to bring people back, Pinnacles Superintendent Eric Brunnemann said.
One way would be a science camp that would allow students to conduct research in biology and environmental science while “roughing it” much like Pinnacles’ first visitors did 100 years ago. There are currently several educational programs offered at the park, and staff provides curriculum support for school-aged youth, but creating a science camp would be a much larger project. Carl Brenner, Volunteer Coordinator for the park, said with a science camp program in place, students would be able to spend three days in the park, learning “science in the day [and] social science at night.” Twenty-five local teachers have already donated five days’ time to develop potential materials for the camp.
Another of the group’s projects is the ongoing California Condor Recovery Program. Hundreds of visitors, including local students, have already made trips to see condor releases, which have helped raise the park’s profile as Pinnacles is one of just five sites worldwide to house a condor recovery program.
The recovery efforts include monitoring equipment which track daily movements of the park’s condors; outreach programs to surrounding communities about how to better protect the condors through voluntary measures to reduce lead in the environment; student programs both in the classroom and at the monument to raise awareness and appreciation for the condors; and illustrating the challenges that are preventing the condors’ recovery.
A third project is to enhance park volunteer and community outreach programs by sponsoring a variety of programs and events designed to entice people to the monument. Ideas including the development of a newsletter, maintaining online connections with the public and enhancing the monument’s Web site by adding links such as a “virtual hike.”
Other projects currently being discussed include creating support for the monument’s designation as a national park. Although a change in status could provide additional funding benefits, an act of Congress is required to change Pinnacles from a “national monument” to a “national park.” Additionally, the partnership hopes to further augment funding through existing programs and services, acting as a pipeline for donations and those wishing to volunteer time and services. The group has also considered the formation of a sister park relationship with a park in a foreign country, as well as hosting “star parties” for amateur astronomers.
Anyone interested in joining the Pinnacles Partnership can contact the group at 389-4485x239 or via e-mail at info@pinnaclespartnership.org. All donations are tax deductible. Memberships at the $250 level or above will receive a poster featuring the California Condor Recovery Project at Pinnacles National Monument. For more information about the partnership, go to www.pinnaclespartnership.org.
