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SALTON SEA SUMMIT 2024

Avances en el nexo entre agua, aire y salud

18 y 19 de octubre de 2024
UCR Palm Desert Campus

EXCURSIONES

El jueves 17 de octubre se realizarán una serie de visitas guiadas a cargo de organizaciones y expertos locales. Para registrarse, marque su interés en el formulario de registro del evento y su información de contacto se transmitirá a los organizadores del recorrido. Asegúrese de leer también la descripción completa a continuación para conocer otros detalles o requisitos.

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Recorrido geotérmico

This will be a group carpool pre-Symposium field trip to visit geothermal and lithium extraction activities near the Salton Sea.  It will begin and end in Niland, CA, located about 70 miles (1.5 hour’s drive) southeast of the Symposium venue at the UCR-Palm Desert Campus.  Travel will be on mixed-quality paved, gravel and dirt roads, with 4-wheel drive not being necessary.  Some rainy/muddy road conditions may be encountered in late October.  Bathroom and lunch stops will be provided.  Bring water, any special diet food needs, sunscreen and water-proof footwear and headwear.  Visits will be made to the following areas:

  • Geothermal power plant (pending geothermal company scheduling and approval).

  • Geothermal/lithium well drilling site (pending company scheduling and approval).

  • Lithium extraction facilities (pending company scheduling an approval).

  • World’s largest geothermal production well.

  • Receding Salton Sea shoreline and playa.

  • Holocene volcanic obsidian domes.

  • Mudpot and mud volcano field.

  • Sonny Bono wildlife sanctuary.


From Niland, the trip will last approximately 2-3 hours depending on weather and company approvals. To sign up or ask questions, mark your interest on the event registration page, then email tour leader Michael McKibben and indicate if you will be driving your own vehicle or will need to carpool. The trip will begin in the morning and finish in time for participants to return to UCR Palm Desert in the late afternoon.

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Michael A. McKibben, Ph.D.

Research Professor, Dept. Earth and Planetary Sciences

University of California, Riverside

michael.mckibben@ucr.edu (951)581-5459

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Tour al Refugio de Vida Silvestre

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff from the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) invite you on a tour to view the habitat, wildlife observation opportunities, and interesting geologic features that the Refuge has to offer. You will have the chance for a slightly behind the scenes tour of our managed freshwater wetlands and farm fields. In October there will be opportunities to view a diverse array of waterbird species that are migrating through the area. The tour will continue to the Refuge headquarters where we will embark on a 2-mile roundtrip walk through a desert upland area, past a farm field, freshwater pond, and will terminate at Rock Hill, a small active volcanic feature. The 65-foot elevation gain atop Rock Hill offers panoramic views of the Salton Sea and of the agricultural and geothermal activities within the northern Imperial Valley.

 

October temperatures can remain warm with temperatures in the upper 80’s and low 90’s so bring plenty of water and sun protective clothing.  Although the trails are considered easy to moderate, we recommend good closed toed walking shoes. The Refuge can offer a few binoculars and spotting scopes, but it is recommended that you bring your own if you have them. Most of the birds are skittish of humans and must be viewed from a distance.

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Bring your own lunch and enjoy a respite at our picnic area at the Refuge headquarters and time in the small Refuge Visitor Center and gift shop operated by the Refuge’s non-profit Friend’s Group, the Sea and Desert Interpretive Association. Proceeds from gift shop sales directly benefit Refuge programs. 

 

ITINERARY 

8am: Meet at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Unit 1, Parking area, located on Vendel Road a dirt road 2.1 miles north of the intersection of Bannister Rd and Vendel Rd. https://maps.app.goo.gl/X6QXqtNptUkLqrTP8

10am: Drive to the Refuge headquarters; 906 W. Sinclair Rd., Calipatria, CA 92233.

11am: Walk Rock Hill Trail, 2 miles round trip, with a ~65-foot elevation gain. 

12:30pm: Lunch at Refuge picnic area.

1:00pm:  Shop at Refuge Visitor Center and interact with Refuge Staff. 

1:30pm: Tour Concludes. 

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OTHER LOGISITICS:

The only facilities at Unit 1 is a single pit toilet. The Refuge headquarters offers flush toilets and potable water. All trails are ABA accessible except for the hike up Rock Hill. Tour is capped at 50 people. 

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Tour de aves

Event Highlights:

Join our expert bird guide for an exciting mini-Salton Sea bird tour experience! Although we’re still finalizing the details, you can email Rhian at Rhian.reyes@audubon.org to express your interest and stay updated as we solidify our plans.

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Tentative Details:

  • Transportation: Bringing your own vehicle is ideal, but carpooling can be arranged if requested early.

  • Attendees: We will likely cap attendees at 20 to ensure everyone gets the most out of this experience.

  • Meeting Point: We'll likely start at the Salton Sea State Recreation Area and may explore down to the Salt Creek Campground, with a possible visit to the Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge.

  • Duration: Expect a journey between birding spots. For instance, it's about 40 minutes from Palm Desert to our first stop. Plan for a fun-filled bird tour of at least 4 hours, likely kicking off around 8am on October 17th.

  • Binoculars: Don’t have your own? No problem! Let us know, and we’ll provide binoculars for you.

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Don't miss this chance to explore the rich birdlife of the Salton Sea! Sign up today and get ready for an adventure in nature.

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Salton Sea Flyover

**THIS TOUR IS AT MAXIMUM CAPACITY** 

 

Event Highlights:

Join us for an unforgettable adventure as we host Salton Sea Flyovers! This is your chance to view the Salton Sea from a unique aerial perspective. Share your knowledge or soak up fascinating insights from our guide while enjoying the breathtaking views.

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Logistics:

  • Date: October 17th

  • Flights: We are offering 4 flights, each accommodating 6 guests (including the pilot and guide). This means we can host up to 16 participants!

  • Booking: To reserve your spot, email Rhian at Rhian.reyes@audubon.org. She will provide you with all the necessary details and confirmation.

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Meeting Point:

  • Location: Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, 56850 Higgins Dr, Thermal, CA 92274

  • Arrival Time: Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled flight. The first flight typically departs around 7am. Exact times will be confirmed closer to the event.

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Flight Details:

  • Duration: Each flight lasts about 45 to 60 minutes, giving you plenty of time to take in the views and learn about the Salton Sea.

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Don't miss this unique opportunity to see the Salton Sea like never before! Reserve your spot today for an adventure you won't forget.

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Vegetation Enhancement Project Tour

Project Tour - Vegetation Enhancement Projects — October 17, 2024 

Register for the tour using this link.

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The California Salton Sea Management Program team is excited to invite you to tour an active restoration project at the Salton Sea. Join us to tour the Vegetation Enhancement Project sites at the Salton Sea near the community of Salton City and learn more about the project phases and how it helps protect air quality. 

We will be driving through and taking a quick walk into the project to see first-hand how the project is helping keep the dust down, protecting existing vegetation, and the process of getting new seeds and plants to enhance the vegetation in the area. We will visit areas with older and established vegetation, and also visit other project sites with early stages of construction with more recent planting and young plant growth. 

The State’s Salton Sea Management Program team will ride along to provide more information and answer questions during the tour.

Don’t miss the opportunity to check out this important restoration project at the Salton Sea.
There are two tours offered during the day (morning and afternoon). Select your time preference when filling out this form.  

Please confirm your attendance by completing this form - attendance is limited to the first 20 RSVPs for each Tour

Thursday, October 17, 2024
1st Tour: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
2nd Tour: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Meet us at the corner of Leto Ave & Court Ave., Salton City, CA 92274. 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vppXkvcrziu9pYfC9 
We will have someone there to direct you to the parking area.
 
Quick Safety Tips for Your Visit:

  • Sun Protection: consider wearing cover-up clothing like a hat and long-sleeved shirt, wear sunscreen, and UV-blocking sunglasses.

  • Shoes: wear sturdy, comfortable closed-toed shoes

  • Stay Hydrated: Drink water constantly during your visit, and please, always keep a water bottle with you.

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Species Conservation Habitat Project

Species Conservation Habitat Project Tour — October 17, 2024

Register for the tour using this link.

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The California Salton Sea Management Program team is excited to invite you to tour an active restoration project at the Salton Sea. Join us to tour the Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) Project, at the south end of the Sea, to learn more details about the project, view the wildlife and habitat features, get more insight about the project infrastructure, and hear more about the future project expansion.  

In a nearly 24-mile drive, we will visit different interest points within the project and highlight its benefits to this area. Some interest points include the Vista Point, the Interception Ditch, the 1.25-mile causeway with the Saline Pump Station, the New River Diversion Structure, and other elements that comprise nearly 5,000 acres of this restoration project. 

Throughout the visit, we will stop at different locations to provide opportunities for questions and conversations among participants. The State’s Salton Sea Management Program team will ride along to provide more information and answer questions. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to check out this important restoration project at the Salton Sea!

Please confirm your attendance by completing this form - attendance is limited to the first 50 RSVPS

Thursday, October 17, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
SCH Project address: 6098 Poe Rd, Brawley, CA 92227
https://goo.gl/maps/m6VxtvvktJBogyYr8  

To note, there is also another separate tour starting at 12:00 p.m. for the Vegetation Enhancement Projects. Consider joining that one too after the SCH Tour. Drive time from SCH to Vegetation Enhancement Projects is approximately 30 minutes.

Quick Safety Tips for Your Visit:

  • Sun Protection: consider wearing covering-up clothing like a hat and long-sleeved shirt, wear sunscreen, and UV-blocking sunglasses.

  • Shoes: wear sturdy, comfortable closed-toed shoes

  • Stay Hydrated: Drink water constantly during your visit

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