Marty
02-26-2003, 04:16 PM
Junior duners get environment lesson
By Kerry Pohlman
Feb 23, 2003
A new program aims to teach young off-roaders how to safely have fun in the dunes and still preserve the natural environment.
Junior Duner, launched earlier this month, held its first class at the Imperial Sand Dunes, where all-terrain vehicle riders ages 5-17 learned to wear helmets correctly and not leave trash in the desert, among other things.
"The future of Glamis lies in the hands of the children," said Vicki Warren, president of California-based DUNERS, a nonprofit organization that founded Junior Duner.
Glamis is a popular sand dunes recreation area near Interstate 8 in California, not far from Yuma. Acres near the area are currently closed because of concerns that off-roaders are threatening endangered species.
"I want Glamis to be there another 30 years," she said. "If we don't start taking care of this ourselves, that's not going to happen."
Other classes will take place as long as there's a demand, Warren said.
During an hour-long class earlier this month, experienced riders volunteered their time and taught a group of 15 kids how to operate their ATVs safety, notice the plants around them and to "pack it in, pack it out."
The phrase refers to picking up trash before leaving a campsite.
"One child took it so seriously that he wouldn't let his mother take it to the dumpster, he made her take it home," Warren said.
Future classes may go beyond this basic introduction to teaching children and teens riding skills and blending the program with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's junior ranger program, she said.
The belief behind Junior Duner is that the children who participated in the program won't forget what they learned.
"It's something that will stay with them," Warren said. "We have to police ourselves."
DUNERS is a nonprofit organization consisting of volunteers dedicated to fighting for the future of the dunes in light of recent closures because of environmental concerns, Warren said.
"I feel very strongly we've gotten a bum deal as far as our public reputation goes," she said.
Anyone interested in having a child attend a Junior Duner class may call Warren at 1-909-738-9047, or send an e-mail to VickiW@duners.org.
For more information on DUNERS, visit the Web site at www.duners.org.
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Kerry Pohlman can be reached at kpohlman@yumasun.com or 539-6872.
By Kerry Pohlman
Feb 23, 2003
A new program aims to teach young off-roaders how to safely have fun in the dunes and still preserve the natural environment.
Junior Duner, launched earlier this month, held its first class at the Imperial Sand Dunes, where all-terrain vehicle riders ages 5-17 learned to wear helmets correctly and not leave trash in the desert, among other things.
"The future of Glamis lies in the hands of the children," said Vicki Warren, president of California-based DUNERS, a nonprofit organization that founded Junior Duner.
Glamis is a popular sand dunes recreation area near Interstate 8 in California, not far from Yuma. Acres near the area are currently closed because of concerns that off-roaders are threatening endangered species.
"I want Glamis to be there another 30 years," she said. "If we don't start taking care of this ourselves, that's not going to happen."
Other classes will take place as long as there's a demand, Warren said.
During an hour-long class earlier this month, experienced riders volunteered their time and taught a group of 15 kids how to operate their ATVs safety, notice the plants around them and to "pack it in, pack it out."
The phrase refers to picking up trash before leaving a campsite.
"One child took it so seriously that he wouldn't let his mother take it to the dumpster, he made her take it home," Warren said.
Future classes may go beyond this basic introduction to teaching children and teens riding skills and blending the program with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's junior ranger program, she said.
The belief behind Junior Duner is that the children who participated in the program won't forget what they learned.
"It's something that will stay with them," Warren said. "We have to police ourselves."
DUNERS is a nonprofit organization consisting of volunteers dedicated to fighting for the future of the dunes in light of recent closures because of environmental concerns, Warren said.
"I feel very strongly we've gotten a bum deal as far as our public reputation goes," she said.
Anyone interested in having a child attend a Junior Duner class may call Warren at 1-909-738-9047, or send an e-mail to VickiW@duners.org.
For more information on DUNERS, visit the Web site at www.duners.org.
---
Kerry Pohlman can be reached at kpohlman@yumasun.com or 539-6872.