HI-DESERT NATURE MUSEUM

ANNUAL REPORT 2007

BUILDING ON OUR STRENGTHS

ADMINISTERED BY THE TOWN OF YUCCA VALLEY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Content 3 Introduction 4 Mission Statement

2007 Museum Staff

Members

Message from the Director

Message from the Supervisor

8 Museum History

9 2007 Highlights Public Programs and Special Events

11 Exhibiti 12 Partnershi 14 17 Museum on

18 Museum Planning

Hi-Desert Nature Museum Association 19 Attendance and Revenues

5 Board 6 7

ons

ps

Outreach

Training Constructi

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INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Hi-Desert Nature

st century, and ted Parks Master Plan,

we begin with a solid foundation.

* Accessible, Real-W* Interactive Hands-on Learning nderstanding Life on Our Planet * Exhibitions that Reflect the Region’s Rich History, Art and Culture * Collections that Catalog Local Desert Ecology and Biodiversity In the following pages, we celebrate those strengths. They are what make the Hi-Desert Nature Museum enchanting and intimate, a place where wild imagination and real-world science, history and art flourish hand-in-hand. Where the natural world is not only a field of study but also a source of inspiration and wonder.

Museum 2007 Annual Report. As we define our vision of a natural history museum for the 21prepare to unveil the Town of Yucca Valley’s upda

We’re Building on Our Strengths

orld Science * A Passion for Teaching * U

OUR MISSION

The Hi-Desert Nature Museum is dedicated to the process of education by exploring the natural, artistic, and cultural heritage of the Morongo Basin and High Desert. The Museum seeks to inspire wonder, discovery, understanding, and responsibility in its community and visitors through exhibitions, programs and collections in the arts, history, and natural sciences.

2007 MUSEUM STAFF

Town Manager Andy Takata

Community Services Director

Jim Schooler

Museum Supervisor Lynne Richardson

Museum Programs Coordinator

Stefanie Ritter

Museum Registrar Peggy Pourtemour

Museum Assistant Janine Cleveland

Museum Educator (part-time temporary)

Katherine Palanuik

Museum Educator (summer) Michael McDonald

Museum Aide (summer)

Jovita Gunderson

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BOARD MEMBERS

Town of Yucca Valley Town Council Robert Leone, Mayor

Frank Luckino, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Neeb, Council Member

Chad Mayes, Council Member Lori Herbel, Council Member

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Commission Mike Alberg, Chairperson

Bernice Falltrick, Vice Chair Merl Abel, Commissioner Terry Hartl, Commissioner

Laurine Silver, Commissioner

Hi-Desert Nature Museum Association Bill Souder, President

Lee Johnson, Vice President Bruce Jones, Vice President

Jimm Petersen, Treasurer Joyce Metcalf, Secretary

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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

It is exciting to see the Hi-Desert Nature Museum set and achieve its goals as it has during the past year. The museum has made enormous strides in programming, exhibits, and creating a variety of ways to render excellent customer service. The positive response of residents and out-of-town visitors is a testimony to the niche that is being filled by the museum. People often choose to live in a particular community based on its “quality of life” among other considerations. This concept differs among individuals, but it refers to the things that make you want to live there. The Hi-Desert Nature Museum continues to grow as a key element of the Morongo Basin’s desirable quality of life. And the future looks even brighter as our planning for the future unfolds. I congratulate Lynne Richardson for her leadership and the rest of the museum staff and volunteers for their dedication to making the museum the cultural center of our community. A lot has been done in the past few years, but I believe we will see that the best is yet to come.

Jim Schooler Director of Community Services

Town of Yucca Valley

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MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERVISOR

We are proud to present the Hi-Desert Nature Museum’s first Annual Report, which highlights the accomplishments of the past year and acknowledges our staff, partners and contributors. Since my return to the museum in August 2006, we have set about making improvements in our current exhibitions, while diligently planning for the future. In addition to educating and enriching thousands of visitors and students of all ages during 2007, we have doubled the number of programs and special events offered by the museum and increased our outreach activities. We have been delighted with the positive response from our community and visitors to the improvements we have made. In this century, society will grapple with difficult issues tha n population growth and the inevitable strain this places on thwe depend. Dealing with these issues wnatural world functions, increased understanding of how to increased effectiveness in developing socialuniquely positioned to serve as the gateway to ththink this report shows we are ready for an exciting future. I would like to thank all the board members, staff, and mumake this year such a success. We lforward, confident that this enthusiastic institution is menergized by the potential of its challenging goals. Every grow and adapt in order to stay relevant and myou to join us in our work.

Lynne Richardson Museum Supervisor

Town of Yucca Valley

t arise from continued humae natural resources on which

ill require increased knowledge of how the manage natural resources, and

policy. The Hi-Desert Nature Museum is ese subjects for the Morongo Basin. I

seum supporters who helped ook forward to another spectacular year going

oving in the right direction and successful organization must

eaningful to its constituents. We invite

MUSEUM HISTORY useum has been dedicated to helping the

discover “with new eyes” the rich cultural Generations of school children, students, and

to inform, inspire, interpret, and entertain.

d in 1964 by Evelyn Conklin; her father, e resident; and Jerry Moore, Parks and

Parks and Recreation District. Evelyn Conklin served as useum started in an 800 square foot building

oved to its present location in the Yucca Valley xpansion was added to house taxidermy

corporation of the Town of Yucca Valley in Community Services Department. The

acility whose original purpose was to display sert environment. The original collections

unity-at-large.

For more than 40 years the Hi-Desert Nature Mcitizens of the Morongo Basin and High Desertheritage and natural history of this area. museum visitors have relied on the museum

The Hi-Desert Nature Museum was foundePercy Conklin; Camilla Hudson, a long-timRecreation Director of the Curator of the museum for 28 years. The min what is now Jacobs Park. In 1973, it mCommunity Center Complex. In 1989, an especimens in diorama settings. With the in1991, the museum became a division of the museum has always been a family-oriented fand educate residents and visitors about the deconsisted primarily of gifts from the comm

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2007 HIGHLIGHTS PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS The Hi-Desert Nature Museum doubled the number of educational programs and special events offered during the past year. New programs developed in 2007 include International Museum Day, Art, History and Science Days, the Native American Program, and Halloween Spooktacular. A marked increase in attendance at museum lectures has been noted, from 15-20 visitors per event is now up to 50-60. The Museum strives to offer high quality programs free to the public, enabling all members of the local community to attend and participate in these educational opportunities. Winter Lecture Series, presented a variety of topics including Caring for Your Treasures, Pollination and Conservation of the Joshua Tree, Meerkats Unmasked, Vegetable Gardening in the High Desert, and Holiday Traditions. Science Day, consisted of presentations and hands-on activities in the area of paleontology, archaeology, and the evolution of technology. Earth Day 2007, was enjoyed by approximately 3,000 visitors. The Farmer’s Market made a welcome addition to the artists, entertainers and environmental organizations. Earth Day was made possible through the generous support of the Mojave Desert Mountain Recycling Authority, Hi-Desert Nature Museum Association and the Town of Yucca Valley. Art Day, included art demonstrations and hands-on activities conducted by Yucca Valley High School art students. International Museum Day, was celebrated with a presentation entitled “Great Museums of the World.” History Day, a special day of presentations and hands-on activities related to the California Gold Rush. Members of First Class Miners discussed early mining techniques and demonstrated panning for gold. Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series, was a great success including such diverse topics as Assassin Bugs, Fire in the California Desert, Meet Your Neighbors, Bats in the Morongo Basin, Composting in the Desert, and Images of America: Twentynine Palms lecture and book signing.

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Art & Science Tuesdays, a series of presentations and hands-on activities for kids from 4 to 13 years of age offered every Tuesday during July and August. Native American Program, hosted in conjunction with the “Sing Me Your Story, Dance Me Home” exhibition. The event included a screening of the documentary film “Borderlands,” bird singers, Native flute playing, salt songs, a presentation by the Native American Land Conservancy, and hands-on Native crafts for the kids. This program was well-received by the community and is expected to become an annual museum event. Starry Nights Festival, Fall 2007 marked the 11th year of hosting this popular star gazing event which doubled its attendance from 2006. This program is the result of a partnership between the Hi-Desert Nature Museum, the Andromeda Society of the Morongo Basin and Sky’s the Limit.

Halloween Spooktacular, an

Craft Fun, a day of holiday-themeages. School Programs, in addition to our public programs and special events, museum staff presented natural science lectures to more than 650 school students on-site and 200 off-site. Children experience the thrill of discovery in the Hi-Desert Nature Museum’s Kids Corner. In this favorite family destination, visitors can participate in educational crafts and activities.

event as much fun for the staff as the visitors. Halloween-themed hands-on activities, presentations and story-telling. Guests were encouraged to wear costumes and many participated in the trick-or-treating provided during the day.

d presentations and hands-on activities for kids of all

EXHIBITIONS

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The Hi-Desert Nature Museum hosted an ambitious schedule of temporary exhibitions in 2007. January 3 – February 11, 2007 Desert Volcanoes from the Palm Springs Museum February 20 – April 1, 2007 Exploring Evolution from the Bell Museum, University of Minnesota April 3 – 22, 2007 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle art made of recycled materials provided by local artists in the community

ool Art Show organized ilton

provided by Paul Smith

the Palm Springs Museum

Sing Me Your Story, Dance Me Home: Art and lifornia organized by the California Exhibition Resource

Sky Beyond the Sun: Imagining the Universe artwork by local artist Martha Jacobson October 9 – November 27, 2007 From the Byways to the Highways: Rondal Partridge Photographs California 1936-1969 organized by the California Exhibition Resource Alliance Opened November 1, 2007 in the Gems and Minerals Room About Fear from the Palm Springs Museum November 30, 2007 – January 6, 2008 Season of Light celebrating world holidays

April 24 – May 23, 2007 Yucca Valley High Schby YVHS art instructor Bruce Ham May 26 – July 15, 2007 Forgotten Gold Rush from the 29 Palms Inn Desert Tortoise from July 24 – September 16, 2007

Poetry from Native CaAlliance September 18 – October 7, 2007

PARTNERSHIPS Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council Exhibition The Hi-Desert Nature Museum, through a partnership with the Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council, displays a rotating exhibition of artwork by regional artists. During 2007 the museum hosted a variety of paintings, sculpture and mixed media created by MBCAC members. Black and white photographs by Dimitry Kirillov Digital art by Denise Dompke Black and white artwork by Cracked Eggs Mixed media artwork by Frederick Fulmer Handmade paper/assemblage by Suzanne Ross Wood sculpture by Eva Montville Morongo Basin Historical Society Exhibition The Museum was pleased to partner with the Morongo Basin Historical Society (MBHS) in 2007 to establish an MBHS display with information and artifacts related to our region’s colorful history. Their current exhibit, located in the Diorama Room of the museum, provides information about Warren’s Well, early cattlemen, and the importance of water in the desert. In 2007, the Hi-Desert Nature Museum organized a Youth Advisory Subcommittee, composed of Youth Commission members interested in serving in an advisory capacity to the museum regarding its upcoming programs, special events and exhibitions. The goal is to attract more teenagers to the museum by providing relevant and interesting information and exhibits related to that age range. The museum partnered with the local branch of the San Bernardino County Library to organize a scavenger hunt during Grubstake Days weekend, in addition to co-hosting other programs. The Hi-Desert Nature Museum co-sponsored a Master Composter Training program with the Mojave Desert and Mountain Recycling JPA.

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In September 2007, the Hi-Desert Nature Museum hosted a Native American program in conjunction with the “Sing Me Your Story, Dance Me Home” exhibition. Museum staff partnered with Gerald Clarke and the Cahuilla Indians of Anza to host the event. Staff from the Agua Caliente Cultural Center in Palm Springs were also involved in planning the program.

Sky’s the Limit joined the Hi-Desert Nature Museum and Andromeda Society to host this year’s Starry Nights Festival. In conjunction with the festival, Sky’s the Limit celebrated the groundbreaking of the new observatory and nature center.

OUTREACH The Museum, in conjunction with Cyberspike, developed a new web site, www.hidesertnaturemuseum.org, which went live in April 2007. The site includes information regarding the museum’s location and hours of operation, upcoming programs and events, temporary exhibitions, collections, member benefits, making a donation, gift shop merchandise, and other visitor services details. The Kid’s Corner page of the web site provides fun facts about science and nature and includes instructions for home experiments.

In 2007, Museum Educator Katherine Palanuik developed a new Kid’s Activity Guide. It is specially designed with younger guests in mind to help guide them through their museum visit, and to take home with them to continue their learning process. The Kid’s Activity Guide includes information on museum programs and exhibits and lots of fun craft ideas, home experiments, puzzles, and games.

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In October 2007 the Hi-Desert Nature Museum distributed its first monthly electronic newsletter, “Tortoise Tales,” which was very well received by the local community. Museum staff also produced the quarterly printed members-only newsletter.

The Hi-Desert Nature Museum was spotlighted on the cover of the 2007-2008 Morongo Basin Verizon Yellow Pages.

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Working with Higuera Designs, the museum developed a new logo for use in advertising and merchandising (see the front cover of this report). The new logo concept will be used in designing the museum’s new 3-fold brochure in 2008. During 2007 the Hi-Desert Nature Museum coordinated with numerous media outlets to advertise programs and special events including Time Warner Cable Community Channel 10, Copper Mountain Broadcasting, Desert Post Weekly, Desert Sun, Desert Trail, Hi-Desert Star, KESQ, KNEWS, KVCR, Palm Springs Desktop, Press Enterprise, San Bernardino Sun, and the Sun Runnerradio spots free of charge and actively promoted museumconjunction with Paul Morehead of Versatfilmed numerous segments for the “Dis The Hi-Desert Nature Museum’s exhibitions, programrepresented during 2007 in numerous articles in the local

. Gary Daigneault of Z107.7 produced museum programs and events. In

ile Video, the Hi-Desert Nature Museum cover Yucca Valley” television show.

s and events were prominently Hi-Desert Star newspaper.

TRAINING The Town of Yucca Valley supports the museum staff in continuing their education to better perform their duties and serve the community. The following employees attended training programs and conferences in 2007. Lynne Richardson, California Association of Museums annual conference, Long Beach, California, February 21-23, 2007 Stefanie Ritter, Botanical Illustration and Native Desert Flora class, Zzyyxx, California, March 30 – April 1, 2007 Janine Cleveland, Museum Store Association Retail Conference, Denver, Colorado, April 13-15, 2007 Stefanie Ritter, American Association of Museums annual conference, Chicago, Illinois, May 13-17, 2007 Stefanie Ritter, Western Museums Association annual conference, Oakland, California, October 10-12, 2007 Lynne Richardson, California Association of Non-Profits annual conference, October 24-25, 2007 All Museum Staff, National Incident Management System (NIMS) IS-700 Training, August 2007 All Museum Staff, American Red Cross Shelter Training, November 5 & 7, 2007 MUSEUM CONSTRUCTION

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The year 2007 saw a number of physical changeMuseum. The talents of Public Wowere seen in the decorative artwork installed inmuseum building and the stained concrete entrance area. The temporary gallery space was ma it cases along the back wall and replacing it with an ar g artwork.

The Diorama Room was also improved with the removal of the wood cases along one wall and the installment of a rotating exhibit space. Currently “Rattlesnakes” is on display in this area.

s inside and out at the Hi-Desert Nature rks employees Johnny Gleason and Jerry McPheeters

the new holes cut in the front wall of the

ximized by removing the old exhibt panel, which allows more flexibility in displayin

MUSEUM PLANNING The Hi-Desert Nature Museum initiated and actively participated in three major planning projects in 2007. Staff updated the Hi-Desert Nature Museum’s five-year strategic plan, which outlines goals and objectives in many areas including governance, management, staffing, educational programs, public programs, exhibitions, collections, marketing, and revenues. The museum also participated in the project to evaluate and update the Town of Yucca Valley Parks Master Plan, being a central element of the plan’s cultural component. In June 2007, the Hi-Desert Nature Museum retained THINK Jacobson & Roth, a Los Angeles based exhibit design firm, to develop an Exhibit Renovation Preliminary Concept Plan. Jacobson & Roth reviewed the existing permanent exhibits in the museum and developed an outline of proposed exhibit goals, key themes and stories, and various approaches to improving the interpretation in these galleries. These planning projects are the first step in a multi-phase process to expand and improve the Hi-Desert Nature Museum’s programs and facilities. The enhancements will strengthen the museum’s ability to help Yucca Valley maintain strong, meaningful connections with the community, and help the museum continue to provide a valuable educational experience for its visitors. HI-DESERT NATURE MUSEUM ASSOCIATION The Hi-Desert Nature Museum Association has an active board which organized two fundraising events in 2007, the White Elephant Sale during Earth Day and the yearly Holiday Open House. The Open House was held on December 1st and included live and silent auctions, door prizes, and entertainment. More than $2,500 was raised for the museum’s educational programs. The Association also approved numerous grants submitted by the museum including a $4,000 contribution to Earth Day and $5,000 toward temporary exhibitions.

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ATTENDANCE AND REVENUES

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The year 2007 brought in a record 29,275 visitors to the museum, a 13% increase over the 25,937 attendance in 2006. Museum donations increased by 6% from 2006 to 2007.

m the Institute of Museum and Resources Alliance (CERA)

tion with the “Sing Me Your Story, Dance

on of $250 to support the

With improved management of the Gecko Gift Shop, the museum registered a 26% increase in sales, from $10,043.13 in 2006 to $12,697.37 in 2007.

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10001500200025003000350040004500

Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov

20062007

Monthly Museum Attendance 2006-2007

The Hi-Desert Nature Museum received a $1,000 grant froLibrary Sciences (IMLS) through the California Exhibition to host a Native American program in conjuncMe Home” exhibition. Southern California Edison provided a generous donatimuseum’s educational programs.

Hi-Desert Nature Museum 57116 Twentynine Palms Highway

Yucca Valley, CA 92284 (760) 369-7212

museum@yucca-valley.org www.hidesertnaturemuseum.org

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