On the Ranch
By Operations Director Tim Bulone
Change is part of life. I’ll be the first to admit that it doesn’t come easily to me. But not all change is bad, right? Especially when you’ve had enough of winter, say, or tuna casserole. And really, things must and do change all the time; many we just never notice.
And things are changing at the Tejon Ranch Conservancy. With this newsletter, we welcome Andrea Geisendorf as our new Administrative Coordinator, Jaron Cramer as our new Executive Director and a new board member Reed Tollefson! You can learn more about these delightful people shortly.
This also means we must say goodbye to former Admin Coordinator Susan Chaney, an absolute gem. And my term here as Operations Director is quickly coming to a close as we both approach retirement. Of course, there are strong feelings about leaving this post, which has resulted in engaging with so many passionate, committed, and forthright people. I have been blessed to both come to know and help protect this precious piece of California which is unlike anywhere else. And, best of all, to be able to introduce the wonder of Tejon Ranch to others, both in person and on these pages.
It heartens me that so many of us, including you reading this now, each play a part in making sure that the wealth of life’s seedlings, cubs, hatchlings, pups, and so many others all have a place to live and thrive in this land where we humans are so very few. In a time when so much environmental news is bad, we hold collectively, as a Conservancy, an absolute wealth of natural resources in trust, not just for our children, but for the lineage, succession, and success of all the species that call Tejon home.
That’s no small thing.
And I am thankful to you for letting me be a part of it, for a time.
But the work is not done and will be carried on by our small, courageous staff, with the guidance of our thoughtful, hard-working board, and the help of our steadfast and devoted volunteers. And by you, with your faith, dollars, and good wishes. And this world is a better place because of all this, because of you.
Welcome to Our New Executive Director
Jaron Cramer joins the Tejon Ranch Conservancy this month as Executive Director, replacing Operations Director Tim Bulone. Jaron shares a bit about himself, his background, and what he enjoys doing.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a small farm town nestled in the foothills of Mt. Rainier, about 35 miles southeast of Seattle. My father was an avid outdoorsman, so I spent much of my childhood exploring the magnificent rivers and forests of the Pacific Northwest. I also lived in Duluth, Minnesota, a regional hub for outdoor recreation, for just over three years before relocating to Bakersfield with my spouse in the spring of 2021.
What is your educational background?
I received my bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington’s Program on the Environment. This innovative academic program integrated coursework from a variety of disciplines — earth and biological sciences, philosophy, political science, creative arts, technology, geography, history, and more — to equip future leaders to tackle complex environmental problems and contribute to solutions. Since graduating nearly a decade ago, I’ve completed additional coursework and many training sessions to gain practical skills and knowledge to prepare myself to lead a well-organized environmental nonprofit.
Tell us a little bit about your work background.
I have spent most of my career leading strategic fundraising and communications initiatives for nonprofits large and small, including Washington Environmental Council & Conservation Voters, Defenders of Wildlife, the Superior Hiking Trail Association, and Hoffmann Hospice. Outside of work, I have sought out opportunities to give back to my community by volunteering, organizing community coalitions and events, and serving on boards. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Kern County.
What most excites you about working for the Conservancy?
Working for the Conservancy aligns my education, my professional background, and my personal passions. I’m in awe of so many features of the Ranch: The scale and ecological diversity of the land, the remarkable agreement that formed the Conservancy and protected the land, and the organization itself. While I’m thrilled for the opportunity to contribute to the many projects and initiatives that will move forward the ambitious mission of the organization, I’m most excited to work alongside the people of the Conservancy — the talented staff and board and the many stakeholders throughout the community — who care deeply about protecting and stewarding this remarkable, critical landscape.
You’ve been on the Ranch, what impressed you?
I’ve had the privilege of joining several public access hikes and tours on the Ranch over the past year, and every visit has unveiled unique, fascinating features of the land. But it’s the humongous size of the Ranch that impresses most. During a cross-Ranch driving tour, I saw first-hand how the landscape changes as one climbs from the Central Valley floor, up and over the Tehachapi Mountains, and back down into Antelope Valley. I came away from the tour with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the importance of conserving this massive, unfragmented landscape at the convergence of such diverse ecological regions.
What sort of hobbies do you have, what do you enjoy doing for fun?
I’m an avid outdoor recreationalist and living in Bakersfield puts me within driving distance to many exceptional destinations for hiking, camping, running, cycling, or otherwise immersing myself in the natural world. When I’m not in outdoor adventure mode, I enjoy writing and performing music, cooking, gardening, listening to podcasts, and reading.
What is your absolute favorite nature spot and why?
It’s impossible to choose just one favorite place in the natural world, as I’ve found myself deeply moved by so many stunning spaces in the Pacific Northwest, the Upper Midwest, and most recently in Southern California. I am very excited to discover and connect with new spots on Tejon Ranch as I dive into my work with the Conservancy.
Scientific Inquiry through nature journaling
Education program teaches the teachers
By Education Coordinator Paula Harvey
In March 2019, the Tejon Ranch Conservancy hosted nature journal educator extraordinaire John Muir Laws, Kern High School District science and art teachers, and other outdoor educators at a two-day nature-journaling training. It was a memorable learning experience for all. In March 2020, we were ready to go again with our second annual nature-journaling training for educators.
You can imagine what happened next! One week before our scheduled event, schools closed down, as did we. The event was canceled. So we took nature-journaling instruction in a different direction. Since teachers were teaching remotely, we created a series of instructional videos on journaling that teachers could use online with their students. (Find them in the Education section of our website. https://www.tejonconservancy.org/naturejournaling-1 )
Photo: The majestic blue oak tree under which the group of 33 educators congregated for a portion of the day’s training. This is also the site we use for school field trips. (Photo by Reema Hammad)
Photo (right): Example of one educator’s nature journaling page with the packet provided by the Conservancy. (Photo by Reema Hammad)
Finally, in late winter 2022, Kern High School’s Kristen Urquidez helped us make a second training happen. This time, Kristen wanted to focus on science inquiry, and I had just the plan for a packed one-day event.
At our Bear Mountain Picnic Area, 33 educators congregated under a blue oak tree on March 30, where we focused on how to develop intentional curiosity in students, how to ask meaningful, varied questions, and how to set up investigations and carry them out. Participants received a packet that included instructions in basic nature journaling and all the lesson plans for the activities we did.
The weather was springtime perfect, and wildflowers were in abundance. Teachers enjoyed the time out of the classroom and went back with practical concepts and activities, all tied to Next Generation Science Standards, which are used in all California public schools.
Photo (right): There are as many different ways to journal as there are journalers. These three journal pages show how we generate curiosity and questions. (Photos by Paula Harvey)
Feedback was encouraging to us:
- “It was fabulous!”
- “I was already sharing some of it with my students as we started a modeling activity for evolution today.”
- “We had already drawn ecosystems in the fall and will return to redraw them with added observations this spring.”
- “My colleague and I were already discussing how to find funds to take the GATE students out towards the beginning of the year in the fall to start off our scientific observations/scientific method scientific inquiry unit.”
Photo (right): Two Kern High School District science teachers journal during one of the activities they learned. (Photo by Reema Hammad)
Teachers realized that it is not difficult to set up investigations in the field once curiosity kicks in. If students are encouraged to ask questions and be curious, investigation is inevitable. One teacher and I were discussing a mystery of why the area surrounding large areas of gooseberry plants were bare of other plants. Based on the hypotheses we proposed, he sent a message to me via his evaluation form: “Tell her I will continue to gather evidence about the squirrel burrows and bare ground under bushes!”
Kern High School’s Urquidez added, “I had one site request three copies of John Muir Law’s “How to Teach Nature Journaling” book, (the text from which the lessons presented were based), as well as the other nature journaling book for use in their PLC, so I sent those off to them.”
Then she summarized: “Overall, it was well received, and I think inspired teachers to start thinking about getting kids outside and planning some field trips down the road.”
Four educators from Wind Wolves Preserve also attended the event and are exploring ways to incorporate nature journaling into their own school field trip programs.
Photo (right): A Wind Wolves Preserve educator journals among a patch of gooseberry plants. The mystery is why the ground under and around the bushes is completely bare. (Photo by Reema Hammad)
It is truly gratifying to collaborate with fellow educators and encourage them to provide practical hands-on experiences to their students. I look forward to future events with these inspiring people, and I invite other educators and school districts to take advantage of our creative, flexible, customized, education programs. Teachers and school districts can contact me at pharvey@tejonconservancy.org.
It is also important to acknowledge the help and support of our participating docents and staff in this endeavor. Without them, this event wouldn’t have been as meaningful and successful.
Photo (right): Paula Harvey discusses scientific inquiry concepts with participants in the perfect classroom! (Photo by Reema Hammad)
Meet our newest board member Reed Tollefson
The Conservancy’s newest board member replaces former board member Garry George. Reed grew up in Mesa, Arizona, where he spent a lot of time exploring the Sonoran Desert and the Salt River. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management from Arizona State University.
“I’ve lived and worked in Kern County since 1987 at the Kern River Preserve in various capacities from seasonal restoration technician for a private firm to my current post as preserve manager for the Audubon Society. I’m responsible for overseeing all operational, financial, and stewardship work at the Kern River Preserve. I work with various partners, nonprofit and public agencies, local ranchers, and Kern County’s Audubon Chapters to advance our conservation work in this region.”
But joining the Conservancy Board is not his first experience with the Tejon Ranch. He was briefly involved with some early meetings when the Tejon Ranch Company was developing its strategy to enter into the various conservation easements.
“I had the opportunity to go on tours of the Ranch and to attend demonstrations by the Company staff and was impressed by how effectively they compiled GIS, mapping, and other information to support their effort.”
As for fun, Reed says he likes to travel and visit places with cultural, historic, and natural treasures, but cannot name an all-time favorite place. “There are too many to select just one.”
Scouts BSA Continues Panofsky-Wilson Preserve Stewardship
Two dozen Scouts clean up Caliente Creek
By Conservation Science Director Mitchell Coleman
Photo: A chilly sunrise at the Panofsky-Wilson Preserve in March 2022. (Photo by David Kampa)
Over the last two years, one of the highlights of the Conservancy’s stewardship program has been a budding partnership with Scouts BSA. This has provided opportunities for Bakersfield youth to experience the abundant nature of Tejon Ranch and the Tehachapi Range, resulting in several projects to enhance Tejon’s conservation value and bolstering the Conservancy’s biological monitoring capacity.
We have seen efforts to remove highly invasive tamarisk trees (Tamarix ramosissima), the installation of wildlife camera traps in our riparian enhancement corridor, and the construction of a primitive campground/interpretive hiking trial at the Panofsky-Wilson Preserve — the service project for one of California’s first female Eagle Scouts Savanna Meyer.
The campground has greatly enhanced our ability to host events at Panofsky. So much so, in fact, that numerous visiting researchers, community groups, and community science chapters have made use of it — not least of which is the Scouts themselves. The budding partnership has begun to blossom!
Photo: Scouts BSA Troop 712 at the entrance of the Panofsky-Wilson Preserve after a weekend stewardship event in March 2022. (Photo by David Kampa)
Recently, Scouts BSA Troops 712 and 2119 have spent several weekends at Panofsky, conducting stewardship work, while fulfilling internal BSA rank requirements.
Caliente Creek runs through the center of the Preserve, supporting lush riparian vegetation. While hard to tell in the thick, beautiful habitat, Panofsky is hemmed in between a public road to the south and a railroad line to the north. The road sits on a ledge above the Preserve, and unfortunately, this has provided an easy location for illegal trash dumping. Late last year, we noted abundant litter in the creek from an apparent trash dump near the road above. When Troop 712 heard about this, they volunteered an entire weekend to clean it up. Over 20 Scouts picked up litter for several hours, filling numerous trash bags.
Photo (right): Some of the abundant litter in Caliente Creek, thrown from the Caliente-Bodfish Road above, seen in November 2021. (Photo by Reema Hammad)
Photo (below): Leaders of Scouts BSA Troop 712 hard at work picking up trash in Caliente Creek in November 2021. (Photo by David Kampa)
While supplying a stellar service for the Conservancy, these intrepid Scouts have also used their time on Panofsky to fulfill rank requirements, necessary for continuing along the path toward Eagle. In March, Troop 712 held a Wilderness Survival weekend, learning how to construct natural shelters (no live trees were harmed as part of this event). The shelters were immediately put to the test; on the evening of the campout, a sizable rain system came though! The Scouts hunkered down for an evening of wind, water, and no doubt, cold. In the morning, they arose from their natural shelters to a beautiful sunrise, slightly sore, but no doubt having learned a thing or two.
Photo: Scouts constructing their natural tent as part of the Wilderness Survival weekend in March 2022. (Photo by David Kampa)
Photo: Scouts hunkered down in their natural tent right before the onset of rain in March 2022. (Photo by David Kampa)
Considering the abundant use and interest generated by Panofsky’s new campground and hiking trail, we began to consider how the site might be further improved. Many visitors ask about the history of Panofsky: Why is it called Panofsky? Is it part of Tejon Ranch? What are the names of the plants and animals we see? The answers to such questions, we thought, would be perfect in a sort of kiosk at the trailhead.
Photo: Scouts from Troop 712 constructing a trailhead kiosk at the Panofsky-Wilson Preserve in April 2022. (Photo by David Kampa)
Right around the time of our brainstorming, a Scout from Troop 712 — Joseph Fernandez— inquired about the possibility of doing his Eagle Service Project for the Conservancy. The shoe fit, and Joseph completed construction of the trailhead kiosk in April. Across the three-paneled kiosk, we plan to make infographics on the human history of the Preserve, including a rich indigenous heritage; the natural history of the Preserve, including common flora and fauna species; and a regional overview map showing the location of Panofsky relative to Tejon Ranch to the south and the Randall Preserve (owned by The Nature Conservancy) to the north — emphasizing how Panofsky sits at a critical habitat connectivity linkage.
Photo: Joseph Fernandez, standing next to his completed Eagle Service Project in April 2022. (Photo by David Kampa)
Coinciding with Joseph’s project, my son’s Lion Scout den visited Panofsky to learn about the Scouting path before them and hear about Joseph’s journey along it. The example set by Joseph, an Eagle candidate — the highest rank in Scouting — was a wonderful experience for the Lions, the youngest age category in Scouting. After hearing about Jospeh’s project, the Lions went on a hike on the Savanna Meyer-constructed trail, yet another Eagle service project.
Photo: Lions Scouts from Pack 38 listen to Joseph Fernandez’s experiences in Scouting, including the completion of his Eagle service project in April 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Coleman)
On the hike, we discussed the identities of the plants and animals around us, talking about the complexity of natural ecosystems and how they all fit together. My fondest hope is that these Lion Scouts learned a thing or two about the importance of conservation and ways in which organizations like Scouts BSA can help “protect, enhance, and restore the native biodiversity and ecosystem values of Tejon Ranch and Tehachapi Range for the benefit of California’s future generations.”
Photo: Lion Scouts from Pack 38 hike at the Panofsky-Wilson Preserve in April 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Coleman)
Introducing Andrea Geisendorf
Andrea Geisendorf joined the Conservancy team in April, replacing Susan Chaney as Administrative Coordinator. Andrea introduces herself here:
“I was born and raised in the suburbs of San Diego, California, and I then moved to Los Angeles for college to study Physics and Astrophysics. I worked many jobs while trying to pay for school and somehow survive living in West Hollywood at the same time. I was very excited when I got the chance to work at the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, and I was there for about a year and a half before moving to the Los Padres National Forest area. I have called this area home since Spring 2021, and I could not be happier with my decision to move out of the city and enjoy that fresh mountain air! Becoming a part of the team at the Tejon Ranch Conservancy has only furthered my interest and love for the outdoors. I’m so happy to be here.
When I am not knee-deep in my studies about outer planet magnetospheres, I am an avid hiker who has enjoyed exploring the trails around the area. Most of my vacations are centered around National Parks and anywhere I can hike to a great view and then settle into a cozy camp at night. Another major passion of mine is reading. I’m a fan of thriller and fantasy novels that completely envelope me for days on end. I’m definitely the person to chat with about the latest murder mystery or any story about wizards (preferably in a wizarding school in the Scottish Highlands).
Some interesting things that could be surprising to learn about me is that even though I love being outdoors and even work at the Conservancy, I absolutely am not a bug person. If I see anything, no matter how small, flying toward me, I may embarrassingly run away and scream as if being chased by a gigantic monster. Some less embarrassing things about me are that I’m the youngest of six children, Spanish was my first language, I worked in the Hollywood film industry for a year at Paramount Studios, and I have touched the wheels on the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover (while still on Earth).
The major thing that appealed to me about working at the Conservancy is that the land is absolutely breathtaking. I have not personally seen it in its entirety, but from the parts I have, I can only imagine how the rest sprawls out in beauty. I learn so many new things about this land every day that I cannot believe it is right in our backyard. The amount of wildlife, both animals and botanical, is like a never-ending list of beauty and astonishment. Conservation is such an important and pivotal part of our future that I jumped at the chance to be a part of it in any way possible.”
Big Sycamore Canyon Hike
May 28th, 9 am
This hike in the High Desert features diverse flora and fauna including native grasslands, oak/sycamore woodlands and if we are lucky, a glimpse of Pronghorn antelope in the Mojave flatlands.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Distance: 5 Miles.
Because close-proximity travel is necessary, this hike is limited to vaccinated individuals only.
PHOTO TOUR/WALK
June 4th, 4-7 pm
This Photography Tour will focus on capturing the amazing landscape of the Antelope Valley side of the Ranch. Sign-up and enjoy an evening sharing it with a small group of artistic guests.
*Camera is Required.
Because close-proximity travel is necessary, this event is limited to vaccinated individuals only. Proof of vaccination will be required.
HAUL ROAD HIKE
June 5th, 2:30 - 7pm
Join us for an afternoon hike on Haul Road in the high country of the Tejon Ranch. We will experience a spectacular view of the ranch while hiking through a mixture of oaks and conifers' habitats.
Distance: ~4 miles/Easy We'll hike on Ranch Road.
Because close-proximity travel is necessary, this hike is limited to vaccinated individuals only.
RANCH TOUR - ANTELOPE vALLEY
June 12th, 9am - 3pm
We will enjoy a tour through the Antelope Valley and up to the High Country of the ranch, where we will enjoy a nature walk to the White Fir picnic area for lunch and then hike back.
Difficulty: Easy Distance: ~1.5 miles
Because close-proximity travel is necessary, this hike is limited to vaccinated individuals only.
the infectious parlance of cow country
A few Western expressions
Dally your tongue - A command to stop talking.
Kansas City fish - Fried salt pork.
Squirrel can - A large can used by the cook to throw scraps into. Whenever anything, from a saddle blanket to a spur, is lost, someone jokingly suggests looking for it in the squirrel can.
Wrinkles on his horns - Said of a person possessing wisdom or having had much experience.
From Western Words: A Dictionary of the Old West by Ramon F. Adams (Hippocrene Books, 1997). Published with permission.
VIDEO: Hope it's not too late for some more mom videos!
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info@tejonconservancy.org
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www.tejonconservancy.org
Thank you!
Tejon Ranch Conservancy E-News produced by co-editors Tim Bulone and Susan Chaney. If you’d like to contribute to E-News, please let us know.