Valentine Eastern Sierra Reserve (VESR)

VESR Outdoor Science Ed: started as a pilot program in 1995, the VESR Outdoor Science Education Program has developed in 19998/99 into a vital outreach component of the University's operation in the eastern Sierra. The program has three components. The largest is the field trip program whereby the Reserve hosts school field trips from elementary schools all over Inyo and Mono Counties. The students engage in a hands-on, age-appropriate field science lesson. The program is currently hosting approximately 2000 students per year from more than 10 schools in 6 different school districts. A related component of the program are it in-classroom lessons where Reserve teaching staff go into the local school classrooms to teach a lesson that either preceeds or follows-up on a field trip lesson. Both of these programs have been grant funded. The third component of the program, the summer school program, is self-funded. In this program elementary and middle school enroll in one or two week classes at the Reserve such as "Forest Ecology" or "Wild About Wetlands". Fee charged to the students cover the cost of the class.

Fundraising: VESR fundraising was very successful this year booking approximately $700K in donations to the Reserve. The bulk of these were represented in two donations. The Wilson family, neighboring landowners, donated 2.3 acres to Valentine Camp valued at approximately $500K. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Intrawest Mammoth Corporation are constructing an Education Center at Valentine to support the Outdoor Science Education Progam. The value of the donated construction is approximately $160K. The remaining donations have been cash including $25K from Carol Valentine and $10K from Paul and Kate Page.