Earth Systems Science, Inc.

ESSI Supports Expo Rangers at Manzanar NHS

Apr 23, 2003

On the weekend of 18-20 April 2003, two vans with 26 volunteers arrived at Manzanar National Historic Site (NHS). Funded by a Public Land Corps (PLC) grant, these Expo Rangers (youth members of the Expo Neighbors Association) consisting of students from Pasadena City College, University of Redlands, Los Angeles City College, and Esperanza received introductory GPS (Global Positioning System) training. While getting hands on training, they also assisted Kathleen Fitzgerald and Len Warner (both of the Pacific Great Basin Support Office, Cultural Resources Team) gather and record GPS data on trees and the historic roads at Manzanar NHS. The data will be used in the Cultural Landscape report for this new national park. Frank Hays, superintendent at Manzanar, shadowed the group on Saturday and Sunday.

This project is an example of a partnership for environmental stewardship. This activity involved NPS staff from Manzanar, the Great Basin Support Office, Inyo County Parks, Expo Rangers/Expo Neighbors Association, and Earth Systems Science, Inc. (ESSI). Both Expo and ESSI are active members of the NPCA/LACP (National Parks Conservation Association/Los Angeles Community Partners). The NPS provided the equipment and trainers. Inyo County Parks provided campsites at Diaz Lake County Park to the volunteers. Expo Rangers provided the students to assist in the survey. Logistical and curricular support came from ESSI, a close collaborator and supporter of the Expo Rangers.

The GPS training provides youth with an opportunity to gain first hand knowledge and experience using state of the art digital surveying equipment in the field. The NPS staff was very pleased with this effort. Tight schedules and heavy workloads forced the group to inadvertently use the Easter holiday weekend for the event. Expecting a low turn out, Kathleen was quite surprised to meet the 26 volunteers. Equally amazing was the high motivation and ability of the volunteers. All NPS staff had extensive experience working with youthful volunteers. For the Expo Rangers, the NPS staff all made comments about the fast learning and well-organized character of the group.

The Cultural Diversity program of the NPCA is another dimension to the activity. This project team clearly showed that cultural diversity is alive and well at Manzanar NHS. The group included African-American, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino, Palestinian, Mexican, and El Salvadorian. About 1/3 of the group was female. Ages in the group ranged from 3 years to 53 years. Some of the participants had never been camping before. Their baptism came with cold gusty winds (20+ mph) on their first night. But good food and some new, warm friendships made the experience a memorable and pleasant one.

"It was great spending Easter weekend with your group. In fact I found it to be a reaffirmation of my belief that is critical for the NPS [National Park Service] to reach out to diverse populations!" says Frank Hays, Superintendent, Manzanar National Historic Site.

Photo Notes: Clockwise from upper right: The Expo Rangers at the front gate of Manzanar NHS. Lower right: Superintendent Frank Hays sharing historic photos with some of the group after dinner. Lower left: Hands-on GPS training while collecting tree data for the Cultural Landscape report. Upper right: Key ESSI-NPS-Expo project personnel.

copyright 2003, ESSI.
Photos by S. Lee and G. Lee