Seasonal Sensations at the Sea
What an amazing season we have had at the Salton Sea. This has become a hotspot for kayaking, birding, and fishing. All winter our kayak tours were so full that we barely needed to even advertize them. The waiting list was full. People were traveling from as far as Arizona, San Diego and beyond and the public was unbelievably happy showing their appreciation for State Parks &The Sea and Desert Interpretive Association which made this program possible. It was a lot of hard work, but well worth it.
This season we took approximately 500 adults and kids out on the water. We kicked off the season with an overnight Picacho river tour and campout, we had a Moonrise Paddle, a Winter Solstice Event, the Valentine Sunset tour and a Sunrise Tour too. Now we will be finishing up with the "Secrets of Spring Festival" where we will offer Mini-kayak tours for families with children.
We also served several community groups including two boy scout troops, a girl scout mariner troop, two local colleges and some private groups also. The new Salton Sea Kayak Club is on the path to success by continuing to offer this amazing opportunity to middle school kids who managed to have a great time without their phones or electronic devices. Next year we hope to do more in the form of an afterschool program with the brand new Boys and Girls Club in Mecca.
A special thank you to our kayak volunteers Bob Dwyer, Connie Brooks, and Arnie Mroz for their loyal service, and also to the park staff for their assistance. I certainly could not have done this without them.
Not only did the public appreciate the experience, but they appreciated us by donating a total of around $1000 at our weekend tours. With the onset of summer we have the hopes of a promising future at the Salton Sea, and continuing to fulfill our mission by providing fun recreation for all.
-Fredda Stephens, Interpretive Specialist
The Sea and Desert Interpretive Association (SDIA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting educational and interpretive activities of the Salton Sea State Recreation Area and Picacho State Recreation Area. The SDIA's purpose is to promote a better understanding of the Salton Sea and its unique desert habitat. The SDIA wants to help spread positive awareness of the Salton Sea through activities and friendly service in the Visitor Center. This website will be a resource for the public to find more information about the region and learn the real facts. The SDIA's work with the Salton Sea State Recreation Area ensures a great experience for guests and visitors to the area.
There are several camping areas available within the park. These areas have been highlighted on the Camping Information page. The winter is a great time to camp at the park. The nights can be cold, but the days are warm and sunny. The desert climate is dry and the rain is minimal. There are winter rain storms that come through the valley so you should always be prepared. The summers are extremely hot, so one must have caution when partaking in outdoor activities. It's advised to learn proper desert safety before venturing out into the wilderness. Always make sure you bring plenty of water.
The SDIA operates a gift shop at the park's Visitor Center, which is staffed by friendly and knowledgeable volunteers. The volunteers can provide helpful information about the Salton Sea and answer any questions you may have. Numerous informational books, DVDs, maps, pamphlets and other materials are available in the Visitor Center.
The Visitor Center is open!
Call for hours 760-393-3810
The Salton Sea State Recreation Area is located off Highway 111 in North Shore, CA. View the Contact Page for the address and map of the location. The Events Page shows times and dates of upcoming activities. There are free kayak tours, bird walks, junior ranger and campfire programs available at the park. The fishing is great and the tilapia number in the millions. The fish in the Salton Sea are safe to eat. The water is not polluted and there are many ongoing studies to prove these facts. It is the goal of the SDIA to help people understand the reality of the Salton Sea and know the real story behind this wonderful place.
There are restoration plans currently being discussed by the Salton Sea Authority and several other organizations. It's important for the public to understand what's at stake because if the Salton Sea is left to dry, several communities, including Palm Springs, would be affected by large dust storms. With your help we can spread awareness about the real issues involving the Salton Sea and help restore this region to the healthy environment it's supposed to be.
|
