NEWS
Volunteer! Registration is available now to volunteer at Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park and/or the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. Go to our VOLUNTEER page for more information.
Public Land's Day at Saddleback Butte State Park
On October 26, 15 volunteers joined PRMDIA and State Park Staff at Saddleback Butte State Park for our annual cleanup event in honor Public Lands Day. National Public Lands Day is celebrated annually at public lands in the United States on the fourth Saturday of September, although in the desert we usually delay the celebration a couple of weeks to enjoy cooler weather. An event sponsored by National Environmental Education Foundation, it promotes both popular enjoyment and volunteer conservation of public lands. For this year’s event at Saddleback, volunteers received Saddleback Butte water bottles courtesy of PRMDIA. Certificates were handed out for “most bags filled”, “most unusual trash” (a hospital gown), and “most hydration containers”.
Highlight of Kid's Day in Tehachapi: State Parks and the Tomo-Kahni Volunteers
Congratulations to the Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park Volunteers on a great booth at Tehachapi's annual Kid's Day sponsored by the Tehachapi Heritage Museum. The booth attracted approximately 300 kids, many of whom made bead bracelets courtesy of the Tomo-Kahni Volunteers. Thank you to the Great Basin District of California State Parks for providing a new custom pop-up and table covering used for the first time at this event!
Strengthening Parternships: Cooperating Association Training and Networking

The Governing Board of the Poppy Reserve Mojave Desert Interpretive Association recently participated in a regional training held on September 13 at the Tehachapi Community Church. We joined four other State Park Associations including Friends of Antelope Valley Indian Museum, Friends of Allensworth, Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association, and Fort Tejon Historical Association. PRMDIA is very appreciative of this opportunity to network with our fellow cooperating associations and State Park partners. In particular we would like to thank the Great Basin State Park staff who planned and joined us for this event and the California State Park Partnership Office that facilitated the program. From the Partnership Office's newsletter (The Partnership Pulse): "The all-day workshop focused on building stronger partnerships through effective communication, understanding each partner's unique strengths, and collaborative planning. Participants engaged in various activities, including group work sessions and discussions on funding projects and board development. The training equipped cooperating associations with the knowledge and resources needed to succeed, empowering them to make informed decisions and drive their partnerships forward.
This successful regional training was a significant step in strengthening the partnerships between park staff and cooperating associations. By fostering collaboration and understanding, these partnerships can continue to play a vital role in preserving our natural and cultural heritage "
Poppy Reserve Hours
The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is open for hiking and picnicking sunrise to sunset every day throughout the year. The Reserve's Jane Pinheiro Visitor Center is open March 1 until Mother's Day. Weekends 9 - 5 and Weekdays 10 - 4. More information including handouts, available on our Poppy Reserve page.
Saddleback Back Butte State Park Visitor Center Hours
The Visitor Center at Saddleback Butte State Park is open every weekend from 11 - 5. Exhibits and a Junior Ranger Program are available. More information including pdf of the Junior Ranger booklet: Saddleback Butte State Park. Cost $6.00 per car, $5.00 if a senior is on board!