Students are introduced to the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, owned and managed by San Diego State University. We discussed the value of Reserves for resea ... more

Students are introduced to the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, owned and managed by San Diego State University. We discussed the value of Reserves for research and education programs. We observed various research projects and the role science can play in regional issues. We discussed the unique status of the Reserve and the challenges/opportunities for management. Students were introduced to the unique cultural significance of the Reserve and adjacent areas. We will discuss the importance of cultural resources, and the role of preservation, protection and management plays. We discussed the benefits of protecting these resources, and the challenges in preserving tribal and cultural legacies. We discussed the challenges of protecting sensitive sites and the role that education and research can play. The Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) is a non-profit academic and research center of the USD School of Law that studies energy policy issues affecting the San Diego region and California. EPIC integrates research and analysis, law school study, and public education, and serves as a source of legal and policy expertise and information in the development of sustainable solutions that meet our future energy needs. We discussed the importance of informed and educated environmental leaders and the value of education programs concerning energy issues and policies. We discussed the role that research plays in providing empirical and analytical reports on energy trends, policy options and implications to inform public decision makers. On our walk down to the Santa Margarita River, we discussed the history of water rights disputes and the legal legacy of the River. We will then discuss issues related to environmental management and regulation of a watershed/river, and how recent watershed management initiatives are advancing our understanding and management of the Santa Margarita River Watershed. We discussed recent findings on the River with regard to environmental science, ecology, and hydrology, and how this is being used to improve the watershed. Established in 1902, the Bureau of Reclamation is best known for the dams, power plants, and canals it constructed in the 17 western states. These water projects led to homesteading and promoted the economic development of the West. Today, they are the largest wholesaler of water in the country and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the western United States. We discussed the role of the Bureau in the Santa Margarita River, water rights, and management responsibilities.

Instructors:

Matt Rahn