THROUGH A GENERAL ROUPS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.

HUELL>> HI, EVERYBODY.

I'M HUGH HEWITT.

WELCOME TO A VERY SPECIAL ONE HOUR EDITION OF VISITING.

NOW THIS AD VEN HUELL>> NOW WHAT'S HAPPENING OUT HERE?

>> WE'RE DOING DIFFERENT KNOT TESTS.

THEY USE THESE IN DIFFERENT ROCK CLIMBING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THEY TEST THE KNOTS AND AFTER ABOUT FOUR WEEKS OF TESTING THEM THEY TAKE THE TEST AND PASS OR FAIL.

HUELL>> WHY DID YOU COME OUT TO THIS SITE FOR THIS TEST THIS MORNING?

>> JOSHUA TREE IS SOME OF THE BEST CLIMBING YOU HAVE AROUND HERE.

YOU HAVE EASY AND HARD SITES.

YOU HAVE REPELLING THAT'S DIFFICULT.

EXCUSE ME.

TIME.

OFF YOUR ROPES.

HUELL>> WOW.

>> SO, WE GET THIS TRAINING PROPERLY IT'S PART OF THE MOBILITY ASPECT.

HUELL>> SO YOU ARE OUT HERE EARLY BECAUSE IT WILL GET TO ABOUT 120 OUT HERE TODAY?

>> YES.

HUELL>> IT'S A GOOD PLACE.

>> YES GREAT PLACE TO WORK.

HUELL>> AND THE GOVERNMENT LET'S YOU USE THE PARK SYSTEM TO USE THE PARK WHEN YOU WANT TO USE IT?

>> WE PAY LIKE A NORMAL CUSTOMER.

HUELL>> GREAT.

GREAT.

SO YOU ARE GOING TO BE HERE FOR HOW MUCH LONGER?

>> WE WILL LEAVE HERE ABOUT 1200 TODAY.

HUELL>> GREAT.

THEY ARE TYING THE KNOTS.

IT'S ABOUT TEN AFTER EIGHT.

IT'S ABOUT 95 DEGREES, ALREADY.

OKAY.

HERE WE ARE.

WE ARE FINALLY STARTING OUR PROGRAM.

YOU KNOW ON OUR WAY TO THE CAMP SITE WE STUBBLED ACROSS SOME VERY HOT MARINES DOWN THERE.

IT'S ABOUT 8:30 IN THE MORNING AND HOW HOT WOULD YOU SAY?

>> 100 SDEG REEZ.

>> AT LEAST.

>> AT LEAST.

HUELL>> I'M STANDING HERE WITH JULIAN.

YOUR TITLE?

>> PARK ECOLOGIST.

HUELL>> PARK ECOLOGIST.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> THIS PROGRAM IS DEVOTE TODAY INTERESTING THINGS HAPPENING IN THE PARK.

INTERESTING THINGS HAPPEN HERE ALL YEAR AROUND?

>> IT DEPENDS HOW YOU DEFINE INTERESTING.

WE ARE LOOKING AT LONG TERM MANAGEMENT TO THE PARK.

HOW WE LOOK AT THE PARK AS AN ECOSYSTEM AND WHAT ANIMALS DO WE LOOK FOR TO PRESERVE THE PARK.

>> OKAY.

THERE ARE INTERESTING THINGS GOING ON HERE TODAY.

I THINK IF WE CAN PROVE INTERESTING THINGS HAPPENING TODAY WITH 120 DEGREES.

>> A 100 EVEN S. HUELL>> IT WILL GET... >> HA, HA, HUELL>> YOU ARE A TICK NLER.

IT WILL GET CLOSE TO 120 DEGREES DON'T YOU THINK?

>> CLOSE.

HUELL>> WHERE ARE YOU TAKING US >> TOWARDS THE BACK CANYONS.

THE BOY SCOUT TRAIL WHERE WE HAVE A POPULATION OF DESERT TORTOISES.

WE CAN GO ON IN A RADIO SIGNAL AND SEE WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED.

ABOVE OR BE LOPE GROUND.

HUELL>> THE TORTOISES ARE UNDERGROUND AND NOT THE VOLUNTEERS?

>> THEY ARE WORKING AT IT AT THIS POINT.

HUELL>> LOOK WHERE YOU BROUGHT US.

THIS IS PART OF THE BEAUTY OF JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK.

THE BEAUTY OF THE ROCKS THAT SURROUND US.

THERE'S A LOT BEAUTY HERE ISN'T THERE?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THERE'S ALSO TORTOISES IN THOSE ROCKS.

YOU HAVE ONE ABOUT HALF WAY UP THE CLIFF SIDE AND THEY ARE IN THE BOULDERS WORKING.

WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET THEM OUT FOR YOU.

THEY BURROW IN THE ROCKS AND NEXT TO THE ROCKS.

WE HAD ONE ON TOP OF THE ROCKS, 25 FEET OFF THE GROUND ON A BOLDER.

DON'T KNOW WHAT SHE WAS DOING.

THERE >> REALLY.

>> WE CAN SHOW YOU THE BOLDER I DON'T KNOW WHAT SHE'S DOING NOW.

HUELL>> WE'RE IN SORT OF THE A LIEU SIEVE DESERT TORTOISE ON THIS BEAUTIFUL MORNING AT THE JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK.

NOW, RIGHT OFF THE BAT, YOU KNOW, I LOVE THIS PARK.

I LIVE OUT HERE IN THE DESERT A LOT OF THE TIME.

I LOVE THIS.

I'M IN HEAVEN RIGHT NOW.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL LOOK AT THIS, RIGHT OFF THE BAT, AND SAY IT'S JUST A PILE OF ROCKS.

HOT ROCKS OUT IN THE DESERT.

>> WELL, IT'S A PILE OF HOT ROCKS IN THE DESERT.

THE IMPORTANT PART IS TO LOOK AT WHAT GROWS IN BETWEEN THE ROCKS AND BELOW THE ROCKS AND THE ANIMALS THAT SHADE.

AS YOU WALK DOWN HERE YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH ACTIVITY IS BETWEEN AND BELOW THE TREES.

HUELL>> THIS IS THE AREA IN THE SPRING THAT WOULD BE FILLED WITH WILD FLOWERS?

>> THIS PLACE WAS PHENOMENAL IN THE SPRING.

IF YOU LOOK HERE THE DEAD BUSHES WERE ALL IN BLOOM IN THE SPRING.

WE HAD THEM EVERYWHERE.

HUELL>> NOW, WE HAVE, WHO IS THIS?

>> THIS IS EARTH WATCH TEAM MEMBERS TRACKING THE TORTOISES.

THEY COME IN TO DO TORTOISE TRACKING.

HUELL>> HOWDY, DUP FIND ANY TORTOISES?

>> YES.

HUELL>> HOW MANY?

>> FIVE.

HUELL>> I HAVE YET AND LOUIE HASN'T EITHER SEEN A DESERT TORTOISE.

>> REALLY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ONE?

HUELL>> YES.

WHY ELSE DO YOU THINK WE ARE WANDERING AROUND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT.

WHERE'S THE TORTOISE.

YOU DON'T HAVE ONE IN THE BACK PACK DO YOU?

>> -- HUELL>> CAN UP FIND ONE FOR US.

>> WE CAN LOOK ON THE SHEET FOR THE CLOSE HE IS ONE.

HUELL>> WE WANT TO FIND ONE, WE LOVE THE PARK.

>> IT'S A PRETTY GOOD HIKE.

HUELL>> THIS IS WHAT YOU FIND THEM WITH?

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> THE IDEA IS THE TORTOISE HAS A TRANSMITTER ON HER BACK.

SHEEPS HOLDING A RECEIVER TO RECEIVE THE SIGNALS FROM THE TRANSMITTER.

WHEN SHE HOLDS UP THE ANTENNA YOU HEAR A "BEEP."

AND IT FOCUS TO SEE WHERE THE ANIMAL S. HUELL>> WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE THE DESERT TORTOISE ARE?

>> WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEIR POPULATION IS.

THERE'S BEEN A BIG DROUGHT AND LOTS OF RAIN THIS YEAR.

HUELL>> YOU HAVE FOUND ANYTHING OUT?

>> YES YOU LEARN A LOT IN TWO WEEKS.

>> SHARE THAT KNOWLEDGE WITH US.

>> WE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT DESERT HABITAT AND THE PLANTS AND WHAT THEY EAT.

THEY DON'T EAT FOR YEARS SOMETIMES.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE AND THE WATER SOURCE.

WE SAW ONE THAT'S 90 YEARS OLD TODAY.

HUELL>> 90.

HOW DO YOU KNOW HOW OLD A TORTOISE IS?

>> WE ONLY GUESTMATE.

BY THE RINGS THEY LAY DOWN.

IT'S ONLY ONE ESTIMATE.

AS THEY GET OLDER THE SHELL SMOOTHS OUT.

THE ONE THAT'S OLDER WE HAD A DOCTOR COME OUT AND SHE GUESSES THE AGE IS ABOUT 906789 HE LOOKS LIKE BLACK ONYX.

HUELL>> CAN WE FIND THAT ONE?

>> YES.

LOOK ON THE SHEET.

HUELL>> WOULD YOU MIND LOOKING FOR HIM?

>> IF UP DON'T MIND WALKING, IT'S HOT.

HUELL>> WHERE ARE YOU FROM BY THE WAY?

>> NEW JERSEY.

HUELL>> WHAT'S A GUY FROM JER JERSEY DOING WANDERING AROUND THE DESERT?

>> I'M A TEACHER AND I SIGNED UP WITH "EARTH WATCH."

HUELL>> WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

>> VERMONT.

HUELL>> MY, GOOD.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?

>> I THINK IT'S CRAZY.

HUELL>> WELL THAT'S THE STORY LOUIE AND I LIKE.

COME ON LET'S GO.

NOW, THIS IS EXCITING.

IT REALLY S. WE HAVE STUMBLED ACROSS A DESERT TORTOISE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THIS IS THE WAY WE NORMALLY FIND THEM.

WE SEE A BURROW OR OPENING O AND WE CHECK THE BURROWS AND OPENINGS.

WE USE MIRRORS TO CHECK AND SEE.

YOU CAN SEE IN THE BACK OF THE BURROW.

LOOK CAREFULLY AND YOU CAN SEE THE ANIMAL IN.

THERE THIS IS A NICE BURROW.

SOMETIMES THEY TURN AND UP CAN'T SEE BACK.

IF THEY TURN THEN WE TAP A NICE BURROW AND SEE IF WE SEE SIGNS OR HEAR AN ANIMAL.

IT'S UNUSUAL WE ARE IN THIS AREA A LOT AND NOT SURE WHO THIS ANIMAL S. WE WILL TAKE THE ANIMAL OUT.

FISH AND WILD LIFE STIPULATES WE MOVE AN ANIMAL ONCE.

HUELL>> BY LUCK WE WERE WALKING UP HERE AND YOU SPOTTED THIS BURROW.

WE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE CAMERAS ON.

>> YES.

WHEN WE WALK ALONG A SITE WITH YOU FAN OUT AND CHECK BURROWS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THIS IT'S BURIED UNDER THIS TREE.

HUELL>> BY GOSH.

MY FIRST DESERT TORTOISE.

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THESE DARN THINGS FOR YEARS.

MY GOSH, TURN IT AROUND SO WE CAN SEE IT.

>> FIRST THING WE WANT TO DO IS GET HER IN THE SHADE.

THIS IS A RIGHT PLACE TO PROCESS HER.

KEEP HER LOW TO THE GROUND.

REAL LOW TO THE GROUND.

>> MY GOSH, LOOK AT THIS, LOUIE F. WE GO OVER HERE WE CAN PROBABLY.

CAN YOU TURN IT AROUND THIS WAY.

THIS IS AN ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE FOR ME.

THESE THINGS ARE ELUSIVE.

THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO FIND THEM.

DO THEY?

>> THEY SPEND A LOT OF TIME UNDERGROUND AND OUT EARLY IN THE MORNING.

OFTEN TIMES YOU ARE NOT OUT WHEN THEY ARE OUT.

YOU CAN PUT HER DOWN.

HUELL>> SHE'S GOING TO MOVE.

>> PUT HER DOWN.

I DON'T HAVE GLOVES ON.

PUT YOUR HAND IN FRONT OF HER NOSE.

SHE WILL STOP.

PASS ME THE GLOVES.

WE NEED TO HANDLE HER VERY QUICKLY SO WE CAN REDUCE THE TIME SHE'S OUT OF THE BURROW.

SO I WILL RECORD DATA.

HUELL>> IS THIS AN OLD ONE?

>> THIS IS QUITE AN OLD FEMALE.

KEEP HER IN THE SHADE.

HUELL>> THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE DOING HERE.

THIS THE SáT ANTENNA.

>> THIS IS AN TEN AND THIS IS A TRANSMITTER.

SGLUE PUT THIS ON THE BACK OF THE TORTOISE?

>> CORRECT.

HUELL>> WHAT KEEPS IT FROM COMING OFF?

>> WE USE A LOT OF OPOXY.

THE BATTERY LATS ABOUT 36 MONTHS SO WE CAN COLLECT DATA FOR THOSE THREE YEARS ON HOW... >> HOW THEY MOVE AND WHERE THEY ARE?

>> YES.

MORE IMPORTANTLY THE RANGE THEY HAVE AND THE BURROW THEY USE.

HUELL>> WHY DO YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS?

>> A COUPLE OF THINGS WE WANT TO FIND OUT HOW MANY TORTOISES ARE IN THE PARK AND WHERE ARE THEY.

THEY ARE A VITAL SIGN FOR THE DESERT AND TELL US HOW THE DESERT IS DOING.

IT'S A SYMBOL OF HOW THE DESERT IS DOING.

HUELL>> OKAY.

WILL YOU PUT IT ON THERE.

AS, WE HAVE A CROWD GATHERED HERE.

WE FOUND A TORTOISE.

>> GREAT.

HUELL>> ONE THAT WASN'T FOUND BEFORE.

>> THAT'S WONDERFUL.

THIS IS A MAJOR HOT SPOT FOR THE TORTOISE.

WE FIND A LOT IN THE WASH HERE AND WEST OF THE WASH .

THIS IS A POPULATION WE NEED TO KEEP AN ION.

UNFORTUNATELY THESE HAVE FOUND SIGN OF DISEASE.

WE NEED TO MONITOR THEM AND KEEP THEM FROM SPREADING.

HUELL>> IT'S EXCITING WHEN YOU FIND ONE?

>> IT IS.

I HAVE WORKED HERE FOR A YEAR AND A HALF AND EVERY TIME IT'S LIKE THE FIRST ONE SGLO.

AND THIS OLD GUY HERE, ARE YOU EXCITED?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HUELL>> ARE YOU A VOLUNTEER?

>> YES.

HUELL>> FROM WHERE?

>> LOCAL, YUCIPA.

HUELL>> THESE OTHER TWO ARE FROM NEW JERSEY AND VERMONT.

THEY ARE CURIOUS AREN'T THEY?

>> YES THEY ARE.

A LOT TIMES THEY WALK OUT OF THE BURROW WHEN YOU ARE OUT THERE.

THEY ARE JUST CURIOUS.

HUELL>> HERE WE GO.

WE HAVE THE TORTOISE AND KEEP KEEPING IT LOW.

IT HAS IT'S TRANSMITTER ON AND WE ARE PUTTING IT BACK IN IT'S BURR OE.

>> WE LIKE TO PUT THE TORTOISES BACK EXACTLY AS WE FOUND THEM.

KEEP THE IMPACT AS MINIMUM AS POSSIBLE TO THEM.

THEY LOOK GOOD.

SHE LOOKS GOOD AND HAPPY AND HEALTHY.

HUELL>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE LOOKS HAPPY?

>> HA, HA.

SHE'S DOING A GOOD THING FOR HER SPECIES.

HUELL>> BECAUSE SHE'S HELPING TO?

>> SHE'S HELPING US TRACK THE SPECIES AND MONITOR AND WE'RE TRY TO GO GET A GRASP ON HOW BIG THE POPULATION IS AND HELP PRESERVE THEIR HABITAT AND BRING THEM BACK TO A STABLE LEVEL.

HUELL>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PEOPLE THAT SAY THERE'S BEEN TOO MUCH MADE OUT OF THE DESERT TORTOISE.

THAT IT'S THE TAIL WAGING THE DOG?

>> I THINK IT'S AN INDICATOR OF HABITAT.

IF YOU LOSE A TORTOISE HOW CAN YOU SAY WE WILL PRESERVE OTHER THINGS.

WE ARE TRY TO GO PRESERVE A NAGS OOL PARK HERE AND A SPECIES F. YOU TORTOISE IS IN BAD SHAPE WE'RE IN BAD SHAPE.

>> IT'S ALL INTER RELATED?

>> YES IT'S ALL RELATED.

HUELL>> WELL, OKAY.

WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEEDED.

NOW JILLIAN, YOU WERE TELLING US THERE'S A PROGRAM PEOPLE CAN SIGN UP AND BE PART OF?

>> YES.

THAT IS CORRECT.

TIM OF THE JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION HAS AN ADOPT A TORTOISE TRANSMITTER.

THEY PAY THE PRICE AND WE PUT THE TRABS MILTER ON THE TORTOISE.

WE SEND THEM UPDATES AND IT'S LIKE AN ADOPT A WHALE PROGRAM.

YOU GET THE INFORMATION.

>> YOU GET A PING TOUR OF YOUR OWN TORTOISE?

>> IF WE TURN THE TRANSMITTER ON WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HEAR THE TORTOISE SHOULDN'T WE?

HUELL>> LET'S TURN THAT ON.

(BEEP, BEEP, BEEP) >> IN THE FUTURE ANYONE THAT WALKS BY THIS AREA AND HAS THE TRANSMITTER TURNED, THIS ANTENNA TURNED IN THAT DIRECTION WILL PICKUP THE TORTOISE?

>> RIGHT.

SHE PROBABLY HAS FIVE OR SIX OTHER BURROW IN'S THIS AREA.

SHE MAY NOT BE RIGHT HERE.

WE USE THIS TO TRACK EXACTLY WHERE SHE IS AT.

>> THIS IS THE GROUP THAT CHOSE TO SPEND THEIR VACATION IN THE DESERT INSTEAD OF IN TRADITIONAL WAYS.

THEY MEAN A LOT TO THE PARK DON'T THEY?

>> WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT THEM.

WE'RE SAD IT'S THEIR LAST DAY HERE.

>> WE'RE HAVING A BIG PARTY TONIGHT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE PARK SERVICE LIFE.

HUELL>> WELL, WE HAVE LEFT OUR TORTOISE EXPERIENCE THIS MORNING, ERNIE.

I'M NOW VISITING WITH THE PARK SUPERINTENDENT.

ERNIE WE HAVE HAD A GREAT TIME THIS MORNING.

WE FOUND A TORTOISE, NAMED IT HUELL, I HAVE ADOPTED IT.

>> TERRIFIC.

HUELL>> THAT MEANS I SEND IN 250 DOLLARS TO THE PARK ASSOCIATION, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THAT GOES TOWARDS THE COST OF THE TRANSMITTER THAT WAS PLACED ON THE TORTOISE TODAY.

HUELL>> THEN IN RETURN FOR THAT?

>> YOU GET A CERTIFICATE, A PICTURE OF THE TORTOISE, AND ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

SIZE, WEIGHT, SEX.

ALL OF THAT IN A NICE PACKET.

>> THIS IS EXCITING AND WE STILL HAVE A LOT ADVENTURES AHEAD OF US ON THIS PARTICULAR TRIP.

WE HAPPEN TO BE HERE ON THE HOT HEFT TWO DAYS OF THE YEAR.

>> I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THE TIMING.

THERE HUELL>> BUT WE'RE HERE BECAUSE THE HEAT IS PART OF WHAT JOSHUA TREE IS ALL ABOUT.

WE HAVE SOME WONDERFUL FOOTAGE WE WILL SHOW NOW.

WE MIGHT POINT OUT WE ARE NOW AT AN OASIS.

>> THIS IS 29 PALMS OASIS.

THRP THE TRAVELERS WOULD STOP FOR THE WATER HERE.

THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES WHERE WATER COMES TO THE SURFACE.

HUELL>> LET'S STAND OVER HERE IN THE SHADE.

YOU ARE THE SUPERINTENDENT AND CAN GET US IN THE SHADE, CAN'T YOU.

ACTUALLY THERE'S WATER BACK HERE, TOO.

THERE'S ACTUALLY WATER IN HERE.

WELL, LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PARK.

ABOUT THIS PARK.

BECAUSE IT REALLY IS A REAL TREASURE HERE IN CALIFORNIA.

>> THE CALIFORNIA DESERT IS AN UNIQUE PLACE.

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK IS A SMALL PORTION OF THIS SOUTHERN PORTION OF CALIFORNIA.

IT'S UNIQUE IN THE SENSE THAT JOSHUA TREE IS SPECIAL, IT'S WHERE YOU CAN DRAMATICALLY SEE WHERE THE HIGH MOJAVE DESERT AND LOW COLORADO DESERT MERGE.

THERE'S A RANGE WHEN YOU DROP INTO THE PINTO BASIN CALLED "GOLD POINT" YOU CAN SEE A DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE.

HUELL>> YOU HAVE DIFFERENT ECOSYSTEMS HERE?

>> YES EVERYTHING FROM OASIS ECOSYSTEM TO GREAT OPEN VALLEYS AND MONDAY TAINZ.

THE PARK RANGE IN'S ELEVATION FROM 1055 FEET UP TO ABOUT 0055 FEET.

TREMENDOUS RANGE.

HUELL>> AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE COMING HERE LITERALLY FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

THAT'S WHAT I FIND INTERESTING WHEN I COME OUT HERE.

IS A ALWAYS RUN INTO PEOPLE FROM, ESPECIALLY EUROPEANS WHO LOVE TO BE OUT HERE IN THE DEAD OF SUMMER.

>> SUMMER IS THE TIME WHEN ITS EXTREMELY WARM.

IT'S ALSO THE TIME WHEN OUR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS COME TO VISIT JOSHUA TREE AND THEN THEY GO ONTO DEATH VALLEY.

HUELL>> HOW BIG IS THIS PARK?

>> THE PARK IS 796 THOUSAND ACRES ROUGHLY.

>> IT'S A BIG PARK?

>> SIGNIFICANTLY.

HUELL>> A LOT OF VISITORS.

>> A MILLION TWO HUNDRED PLUS.

HUELL>> AND A LOT OF THOSE ARE LOCAL VISITORS WHO HAVE GROWN UP IN CALIFORNIA.

JUST LIKE YOU.

A LOCAL GUY.

WHO KEEP COMING BACK AS PART OF A FAMILY TRADITION.

THEY HAVE COME HERE FOR GENERATIONS.

TO CAMP AND CLIMB ROCKS AND DO WHAT SORT OF THINGS?

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE STOP IN THE VISITOR CENTER AND WE ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION.

THEY SAY THEIR PARENTS USE TO TAKE THEM CAMPING OUT HERE OR THEIR GRANDPARENTS HAD A CABIN AND HOMESTEAD OUT HERE.

THERE'S THAT ATTACHMENT THAT CARIES ONTO THE CHILDREN THAT NOW ENJOY THE PARK.

HUELL>> YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN COMING HERE FOR GENERATIONS .

YOU HAVE A LOT OF FOREIGN VISITORS AND A LOT OF KNEW COMERS TO CALIFORNIA THAT DISCOVER THE PARK FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THE REASON WE'RE HERE REALLY IS TO TALK ABOUT THE WAY THE PARK INTERACTS WITH THE COMMUNITIE, WITH THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA.

>> WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM.

HUELL>> SO, PEOPLE CAN COME IN AND USE THEIR TIME AND THEIR ENERGY TO HOOK INTO ANYWAY THEY WANT TO HELP THE PARK?

>> EXACT LEE.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF WAYS.

WE HAVE CAMP HOSTS AND INDIVIDUALS THAT HELP US IN THE VISITORS CENTERS.

WE HAVE ART IN THE PARK PROGRAM WHERE ARTISTS COME HERE AND STAY FOR TWO WEEKS.

WE GIVE THEM A PLACE TO GET AWAY FROM THE MAINSTREAM OF ACTIVITY TO CONCENTRATE AND DO ART WORK.

IN RETURN THEY SHARE THE ART WITH THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY.

HUELL>> IT'S REALLY ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE SPARK THAT IT INTERACTS SO NICELY WITH THE COMMUNITY.

THE COMMUNITY BUTTS UP TO THE PARK.

>> YES.

WE HAVE TREMENDOUS COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE PARK.

EVERYTHING FROM INDIVIDUALS VOLUNTEERING.

TONIGHT YOU WILL MEET SOME VOLUNTEERS THAT HAVE HELPED WITH THE BAT SURVEYS.

THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS WE PUT A CALL OUT ON THE RADIO FOR PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND SIT AND COUNT BATS AS THEY COME OUT OF THE CAVE OPENING.

HUELL>> THAT'S WHAT WE WILL DO TONIGHT.

WE HAVE DONE THE TORTOISE THIS MORNING AND BATS THIS AFTERNOON.

>> AND THE TRAIL TOMORROW WITH THE YCC AND... HUELL>> AND THE RAVEN STUDY.

>> YES THE HIGH SCHOOL GROUPS.

>> THERE'S AN OASIS THERE WITH WATER.

WHY WOULD WE WANT TO SPEND TIME IN A COOL PLACE WITH WATER WHEN WE CAN SIT IN FRONT OF A MINE AND LOOK FOR BATS.

>> EXACT LEE.

HUELL>> THAT'S WHERE WE ARE GOING.

YOU ARE GOING BACK TO THE OFFICE.

>> BACK TO WORK.

>> THERE'S THE PARK HEADQUARTERS OVER THERE.

WELL, I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT IT.

WE MAKE FUN OF THE HEAT, BUT THAT'S PART OF THE ADVENTURE.

WE ARE LOVING.

WE ARE PACING OURSELVES AND DRINKING LOTS OF WATER.

LOUIE HAS ON A HAT LIKE MINE AND WE'RE TAKING CARE OF OURSELVES.

>> WE HOPE YOU DO, HUELL, WE NEED AND YOU LIEU EEP AROUND FOR SOME TIME.

>> JOSHUA TREE, BIG ROCKS, HEAT.

WE'RE HEADING FOR THE BATS.

WELL IT'S ABOUT FIVE MINUTES TO 7:00.

WHERE ARE WE EXACTLY?

>> NEAR THE PINE CITY BAT -- BOARD.

WE'RE HIGH IN THE PARK HERE AT JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK.

YOU CAN TELL WE ARE HIGH UP BECAUSE WE ARE HAVING A COLD SNAP NOW AT 97 DEGREES.

>> IT'S WELL BELOW A HUNDRED IN MY BOOK.

HUELL>> SPARED TO WHERE WE WERE THIS MORNING WITH THE TORTOISES THIS IS...

THERE'S A BREEZE BLOWING.

IT WILL BE A GREAT EVENING AND YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE IN FOR, DON'T YOU?

>> WE HAVE DONE THIS.

>> AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN.

>> SEVERAL TIMES.

HUELL>> TRY TO SHOW MORE EM THUES YACHL.

WE ARE TRY TO GO GET PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

>> WE HAVE DONE BAT SURVEY SINCE ABOUT APRIL.

THIS GROUP HAS.

THEY HAVE DONE HUNDREDS MORE THAN I V. THIS IS A SITE WE HAVE SURVEYED AND FOUND QUITE A FEW BATS HERE.

>> WE ARE LOOKING FOR BATS.

I KNOW THIS IS A REAL RATINGS.

THE PEOPLE WILL BE GLUED TO THE SETS HERE.

>> IT'S A CONTEST.

IT'S HARD TO BEET DESERT TORTOISE.

THEY ARE PHOTO GENIC, THAT'S FOR SURE.

BATS ARE KIND OF KEEP EE TO MOST PEOPLE, BUT WE LOVE THEM.

>> LET'S LOOK FOR THE BATS.

AS WE HEAD UP WE WILL TALK ABOUT WHY WE ARE DOING THIS.

THIS IS ALL VERY EXCITING, IT'S PART OF THE ADVENTURE AND EVER CHANGING STORIES THAT ARE FOUND ALL OVER THIS WONDERFUL NATIONAL PARK.

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK.

I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE HIKING AROUND AT, IN THIS KIND OF WEATHER WITH MY DESTINATION BEING A BAT CAVE.

BUT THAT'S WHERE WE ARE HEADING.

ACTUALLY IT'S A BEAUTIFUL TIME OF THE DAY.

IT'S WHAT THEY CALL, I THINK, THE MAGIC HOUR ISN'T IT?

>> SUN UP AND SUN DOWN IN THE DESERT IS BEAUTIFUL.

THE TEMPERATURES ARE QUITE MRAEPS ANT.

IT WAS ABOUT 115 IN MY OFFICE AT NOON TODAY.

IT'S QUITE NICE NOW AND YOU GET A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET AND YOU SEE THE STARS COME OUT AND HOPEFULLY BATS.

HUELL>> LOOK AT THESE COLORS LOUIE, LOOK AT THE COLORS.

THIS IS WHAT THE DESERT IS ALL B.

THESE WONDERFUL RICH COLORS.

EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING REACHLY LARGER THEN LIFE OUT HERE, ISN'T IT?

>> THIS ONE OF THE THINGS PROTECTED IN THE PARK SERVICE.

A VISTA LIKE THIS UNINTRUDED BY BUILDINGS AND ROADS AND WORKS OF MAN.

HUELL>> I SEE IT.

AT LEAST I SEE THE TALINGS.

THAT'S THE MINE.

>> THAT'S A WASTE ROCK PILE AND COMES OUT OF THE MILLING PROCESS.

THIS IS THE DESERT KEYS MIND.

BILL KEYS OWNED THIS MIND AND OPERATED INTO THE 60'S.

THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF WORKINGS HERE.

YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE PROTECTIVE CLOSURES ARE INSTALLED.

HUELL>> ALL OF THESE CLOSURES WERE PART OF THE OLD EXITS TO THE MINE.

>> YES THOSE ARE THE PORTALS TO THE TUNNELS.

THERE'S ONE UNDER THE HUGE ROCK THERE.

LOOK LOUIE, YOU CAN SEE IT UNDER THE BIG ROCK HERE.

WHERE TWO OF OUR MEMBERS ARE A HEAVED AND YOUS CLIMBING OVER.

SO, THESE HILLS ARE JUST HONEY COMBS WITH OLD MINES, AREN'T THEY?

HUELL>> YES, THIS IS A MAJOR CONTACT ZONE FROM A HIN TRUCING OF MOLTEN ROCK BELOW.

AND THE CRYSTALS ARE GOLD BURYING.

THE MINORS WOULD PROSPECT THESE AND FOLLOW THE DIKES OR VEINS AFTER THE GOLD.

THEN THEY WOULD LEAVE A TUNNEL BEHIND LIKE A CAVE.

HUELL>> THE BATS.

>> THAT'S WHERE THERE ARE BATS.

HUELL>> HOW MANY MINDS WERE THERE?

>> THERE'S BEEN 280 ABANDON MINE SITES THROUGHOUT THE PARK.

HUELL>> THERE WAS A LOT OF GOLD MINING HERE.

>> THERE WAS A HUGE GOLD RUSH HEREAFTER THE 46'S HUELL>> 49'S >> 49'S AND 96'S THAT'S RIGHT.

>> HEAT GETS TOLL OF US.

LET'S KEEP GOING.

>> I CAN'TEMEMBER MY NUMBERS.

HUELL>> NOW WE ARE AT AN ENTRANCE TO A SHAFT.

THERE'S A LOT OF VERY COLD AIR COMING OUT OF HERE.

>> THERE'S AN OUT BLOW OF AIR ON THIS.

IT INDICATES IT'S QUITE EXTENSIVE AND CONNECTS TO ANOTHER OPENING SOMEWHERE.

HUELL>> I WANT TO STAND CLOSE TORE IT.

TELL US ABOUT THESE THINGS AND WHY THEY ARE HERE.

>> AFTER THE THE MINE WAS ABANDON PEOPLE ENTER IT CONTINUOUSLY AND IT'S DANGEROUS.

IT COULD COLLAPSE AND THERE COULD BE HAZARDS LIKE POISONOUS GAS IN'S THERE.

TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT WE KEEP THE CLOSURE OUT.

BATS CAN'T FLY THROUGH IT THOUGH.

IN THE I INTERIM OR MEANTIME PEOPLE HAVE CHIPPED OUT OPENINGS ALONG THE EDGE.

HUELL>> LET'S SEE THAT.

>> PEOPLE ARE STILL GOING IN AND BATS MAY BE GOING IN AND OUT.

BUT IT'S NOT A REAL BAT FRIENDLY GATE.

A BAT GATE HAS BIG OPENINGS.

HUELL>> THAT'S THE GATE BACK IN THERE.

THAT'S ANOTHER PEOPLE GATE.

THAT'S A STAINLESS STEEL CABLE NET.

THAT'S NOT REAL BAT FRIENDLY EITHER.

WE WANT TO KNOW IF BATS ARE USING THIS MINE AND IF WE SHOULD CHANGE THIS TO A MORE BAT FRIENDLY GATE.

>> WE KNOW BATS ARE FLYING IN THE WASH HERE.

WE FWHOE THIS IS GOOD BAT HABITAT.

HUELL>> IF I WAS A BAT I WOULD WANT TO BE IN THERE.

>> YOU WOULD.

THAT'S WHY WE SET UP WITH THE SURVEY TONIGHT AND SEE IF WE CAN CATCH BATS GOING IN OR OUT OR SEE IF WE GET THEM IN THE OPENING.

>> THAT'S THE CURE FOR THIS GENTLEMEN TO SHOW US.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THIS.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> IT'S A BAT DETECTOR.

HUELL>> A BAT DETECTOR.

>> IT SLOWS DOWN BATS TALK OR CHAT TO TEN TIMES SO POM CAN HEAR IT.

IT WORKS FROM 20 TO 160 KILOHERTZ.

SO... (STATICY SOUND) HUELL>> AS BATS FLY BY HERE WHAT DO YOU DO?

>> AIM IT TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE ENTRANCE OF THE MINE.

WE MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH TO PICK UP THE DIFFERENCE FREQUENCIES.

>> YOU ARE ECHO LOCATING AT ABOUT 40 KILOHERTZ.

SOME BATS COME IN AT 120 AND SOME COME IN AT 20.

HUELL>> YOU ARE LOSING ME BUT I GET THE IDEA.

>> THE BAT FINDS IT'S WAY THROUGH THE DARK WITH REP NREKTING A CALL AND IT HAS SOUNDS BACK TO IT.

HUELL>> YOU WRITE ALL OF THIS DOWN?

WE HAVE A DATA SHEET AND YOU SIT HERE AND DO WHAT?

>> WE CHART WHAT WE SEE AND HEAR S. SO WE WATCH FOR VISUAL BATS AS LONG AS IT'S LIGHT ENOUGH AND QUESTION SEE THEM SILLOUTING ACROSS THE SKY.

AND WE CHART THEM, 1, 2, 3, 4.

WE CHART THE TIME AND DIRECTION AND... HUELL>> AND HOW EXCITING DOES THIS GET FOR YOU UP HERE?

>> IT'S REAL EXCITING.

HUELL>> HOW MANY BATS COME THROUGH HERE ON A GOD NIGHT.

>> I HAVEN'T BEEN TO THIS MINE BEFORE SGLO.

HOW MANY BATS IS A GOOD BAT COUNT FOR A NIGHT?

>> A HUNDRED.

HUELL>> A HUNDRED, THOUSAND P TWO HUNDRED?

>> WE HAVE SEEN AS MANY AS 30 A NIGHT UP TO 50 AT THE CONTACT.

SO, IT JUST VARIES A LOT OF THINGS LIKE TEMPERATURE AND WIND.

IF WE HAVE TOO HIGH A WIND, THIS TELLS US THE WIND SPEED F. THE WIND IS HIGH THE BATS WON'T BE OUT, IT'S HARD TO FLY IN THE WIND FOR THEM.

HUELL>> WOW.

THERE'S A LOT TO KNOW ABOUT THIS.

>> IT'S CERTAINLY A SCIENCE.

WE HAVE 280 SOME MINE SITES TO DO SURVEYS ON THEM.

I'M JUST ONE BIOLOGIST.

>> THAT'S WHERE THE VOLUNTEERS COME INTO.

YIFRJTS.

>> HOW DO D THEY LOOK YOU INTO THIS?

>> I KNEW YOU WOULD ASK THAT.

THEY ADVERTISED ON THE RADIO AND WE HAVE ENJOYED THE PARK FOR YEARS AND WE THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF IT AND WE ENJOY COMING OUT HERE.

>> IT'S BEEN A REAL FUN THING TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO THE PARK THAT'S MEANT SO MUCH TO US.

WE MET HERE.

HUELL>> YOU MET?

>> YES.

HUELL>> NOT IN THIS ACTUAL SPOT?

WITH BATS FLYING OVER YOU.

>> A MUCH MORE ROMANTIC WAY.

IT WAS A CAMP GROUND.

HUELL>> THIS IS GREAT.

THAT'S OUR INVOLVE TIERN STORY HERE.

NOW I GUESS WE JUST ALL SIT HERE AND WAIT FOR, WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR BATS?

>> JUST ABOUT SUNDOWN.

HUELL>> ARE WE SCARING THEM.

YOU HAVE TO BE QUIET?

>> WE WILL QUIET DOWN AND MOVE AWAY FROM THE OPENING.

WE HAVE A SYSTEM.

HUELL>> THIS EXCITING.

>> IT'S A GOOD TIME FOR QUIET CONTEMPLATION.

YOU NEED TO SIT QUIETLY AND WORK THE DETECTERS AND WORK THE SKY AND SEE IF BATS COME OUT.

RIGHT NOW BATS HEAR US AND SENSE A PREDATOR.

THEY LALO WITH THAT.

WE NEED TO BACK OFF AND SET UP.

WE GET AN OUT FLIGHT FROM HERE THEY MOVE FAST.

HUELL>> WILL WE SEE THEM WITH THE CAM RA.

FIFRJTS YOU ARE FAST.

>> UP HERE... >> WHEN HE MORE DETECTION WITH THE BAT DETECTOR THEN VISUALLY.

>> YOU SEE THEM IN THE SKY.

HUELL>> THEY MOVE QUICKLY.

>> ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR.

HUELL>> YOU AREN'T BRINGING UP OS A SNIP HUNT ARE YOU?

THERE ARE BATS BACK THERE, AREN'T THERE?

>> WE HOPE.

SO HUELL>> IT'S JUST ABOUT BAT TIME NOW (WHISPERING) WE'RE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES BEFORE IT GETS DARK.

SO, LOUIE, CHRIS SAYS IT'S JUST ABOUT BAT TIME.

>> GOOD BAT TIME RIGHT NOW.

>> WE ARE ROAMING THE MACHINE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 20 AND 60 MEGAHERTZ.

IF YOU LEAVE IT AT ONE SPOT YOU PICKUP ONLY ONE SPECIES THAT SPEAKS AT THAT PARTICULAR HIFT FREQUENCY.

(STATIC) (STATIC) HUELL>> SO, IF WE HEAR THAT WE KNOW THERE'S A BAT FLYING BY?

>> YES, IT'S A VERY DISTINCT SOUND.

IT SOUNDS VERY MUCH LIKE THAT.

IT'S A SERIES OF CLICKS AND CHATTERS.

ONCE YOU HEAR IT ONCE UP DON'T MISS IT AGAIN.

HUELL>> SO, CHRIS, TELL ME THE TRUTH DO YOU THINK WE WILL SEE A BAT TONIGHT?

WHAT'S YOUR GUESS?

>> I'M PRETTY CERTAIN WE'LL SEE SOMETHING IN THE WASH.

WHETHER WE SEE SOMETHING IN THE MINE, IT'S A LITTLE IFFY YOU NEVER KNOW.

>> HOW LONG DO WE SIT HERE, MIDNIGHT, TWO CLOCK?

>> ONE.

HUELL>> I SEE HIM.

HE'S UP OVER THE HORIZON.

WOW.

>> BATS ROOST IN THE EVENING AND HAVE MATERNITY COLONIES AND HIBERNATE IN CAVES.

MANY OF THE CAVES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED HERE BY DEVELOPMENT, HUMAN EXPANSION AND POPULATION GROWTH.

SOME OF THESE ARTIFICIAL HAáP HABITATS ACT LIKE A NATURAL HABITAT.

HUELL>> BATS ARE GOOD?

>> YES.

BATS ARE REAL GOOD.

THEY DON'T GET STUCK IN YOUR HAIR.

THEY DON'T GENERALLY CARRY DISEASES.

THEY EAT INSECTS AND ARE CLEAN.

>> THEY ARE PART OF THE FOOD CHAIN, PART OF THE CHAIN OF LIFELIKE THE TORTOISES WE SAW THIS MORNING.

>> EVERYTHING OUT HERE IS PART OF THE CHAIN OF LIFE AND BATS CERTAINLY ARE.

OTHER THINGS LIKE OWL AND RATS PREY ON THEM.

IT'S PART OF THE RICH TAPESTRY OF NATURE S. HUELL>> LOUIE, SAID HE GOT QUICK PICTURE OF THE BATS.

WE WILL SLOW THEM DOWN AND PUT PICTURES OF BATS ON THE AIR.

WHETHER OUR VIEWERS REALIZE IT OR NOT WE REALLY SAW BATS OUT HERE TONIGHT.

I HOPE WE ALL UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE NOW THAT BATS ARE ALL PART OF THE CYCLE.

THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

ALL OF THESE OLD MINES THAT YEARS AGO WERE USE TODAY MAKE FOR TUNES FROM WITH THE HUMAN ELEMENT INTERJECTED HERE.

THEY ARE NOW RECYCLED AND HOPEFULLY REUSED FOR THINGS LIKE BAT HABITAT.

DID I SAY THAT CORRECTLY?

>> THAT'S PERFECT.

THIS AREA WAS EXPLOITED FOR PROFIT IN THE PAST AND NOW IT'S USED FOR BATS AS HOMES.

THAT'S VERY VALUABLE TO US.

OUR VOLUNTEER ARES REALLY HELPING US OUT HERE.

HUELL>> VOLUNTEERS ARE SPREAD OUT ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THIS ONE HERE HAS HIS BAT DETECTOR POINTED TOWARDS THE CAVE.

THERE'S ANOTHER ONE HERE.

WE HAVE THREE OR FOUR OTHERS ON TOP OF THE HILL.

IT'S TOO DARK, BUT WE CAN HEAR HIM.

>> YES FRMENT THAT'S 45 KILOHERTZ.

THAT WAS AN OVER HEAD FLIGHT.

HE DIDN'T GET IT COMING OUT OF THE CAVE.

I GOT IT OVER HEAD.

WITHOUT THE DEBTINGER WE WOULDN'T OF SEEN IT.

WE WOULD OF HAD NO IDEA.

>> THIS IS EXCITING FOR US.

I TELL YOU IT'S SOMETHING TO STAND NEXT TO YOU.

YOU REALLY GET EXCITED.

>> SURE IT'S LIKE HUNTING.

YOU ARE JUST HUNTING FOR BATS.

HUELL>> WELL HERE WE ARE, IT'S SATURDAY MORNING.

AFTER A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP IN FRONT OF AN AIR CONDITIONER LAST NIGHT.

YOU ALL CAMPED OUT DIDN'T YOU?

>> WE SLEPT ON THE GROUND WITH THE COYOTES.

HUELL>> THAT'S GOOD.

IT GETS THE KIDS INTO THE IDEA OF WHAT JOSHUA TREE IS ALL ABOUT.

>> WHEN I WOKE UP THEY WERE ON THE TABLETOPS.

HUELL>> I'M STANDING HERE WITH?

>> RAY PENIC HáI I FROM CAP OWE STRAN OWE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL.

HUELL>> YOU TEACH FRMENT >> YES.

HUELL>> WE RAN ACROSS EACH OTHER A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.

TELL US WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT?

>> I RAN INTO THE PARK ECOLOGIST ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.

SHE MENTIONED THEY HAD A HUGE CONTROVERSY WITH THIS LAND FILL NEAR DESERT CENTER.

'ING AL MOUNTAIN LAND FILL.

SHE HAD A PROJECT WITH NO FUNDING.

I HAVE STUDENTS THAT WANT TO BE SCIENTISTS AND WE COULD COME OUT AND HELP.

SO I VOLUNTEERED THE CLASS AND WE HAVE BEEN COMING HERE FOR A YEAR AND A HALF DOING WORK WITH THE RAVENS.

>> HE DOES IT ALL THE TIME.

HUELL>> NOW WHAT THINGS DO YOU DO ALL HERE?

>> WE JUST NORMALLY STOP EVERY MILE AND A HALF AND HE GET OUT FOR TEN MIN SXUTS LOOK FOR ANYTHING THAT MOVES AND ALSO ETCETERA.

HUELL>> SO, WHAT DO YOU MEAN ANYTHING THAT MOVED?

>> RAVENS, TORTOISES, REPTILES, ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY.

HUELL>> RAY, YOU ARE JUST DOCUMENTING WHAT'S OUT HERE ON THE DESERT FLOOR IN ANY PARTICULAR AREA?

>> I THINK THE SCIENTISTS WANT US TO LOOK IN EVERY DIRECTION, LAT RLLY, HORIZONTALLY, ON THE GROUND AND IN THE SKY TO LOOK FOR BIRDS.

WE ARE GOING TO SET BASE LINE DATA IF RAVENS COME IN AFTER THE LAND FILL COMES IN F IT COMES IN, AND THEN WE HAVE A COMPARISON.

LAND FILL COMES IN ARE THE RAVENS UP OR THE TORTOISE POPULATION GOING DOWN.

HUELL>> BECAUSE RAVENS EAT THE BABY TORTOISES.

>> THEY HAVE DONE THAT FOR A THOUSAND YEARS.

THERE AREN'T MANY OUT HERE TODAY, IT'S A LITTLE HOT.

LACK OF WATER AND FOOD.

LAND FILLS PROVIDE PERMANENT WATER AND FOOD.

>> THAT WOULD BRING A LOT RAVENS IN THIS AREA?

>> IT'S A POTENTIAL HYPOTHESIS.

WE WANT THE DO IEDS UNDERSTAND IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE TRUE.

HUELL>> YOU HAVE FOUND ANYTHING?

>> YES.

WE HAVE A LITTLE... HUELL>> WHAT DID YOU FIND?

>> A WHIPTAIL LIZARD ABOUT THIS BIG.

HUELL>> WHERE IS HE?

>> HOW IN THE WORLD DID YOU?

>> BECAUSE HE WAS CRAWLING ACROSS THE GROUND.

>> WHO SPOTTED HIM?

>> ME ABOUT AN INCH AND A HALF.

>> YOU ARE WALKING BY THE COYOTE POOP.

>> COYOTE POOP.

>> OR FECES.

HUELL>> DO YOU RECORD THIS?

>> WE WILL MARK THAT IN OUR PAPERS.

COYOTES ARE NOT SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED WITH.

HUELL>> THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT.

>> HA, HA.

HUELL>> THEY LOOK LIKE THEY FOUND SOMETHING ELSE.

THINK THE KIDS ACTUALLY GET INTO THIS, DON'T THEY?

>> THIS IS JULY.

THEY ARE NOT IN SCHOOL OR DON'T GET CREDIT FOR THIS.

THEY ARE OUT HERE VOLUNTEERING AND THEY THINK IT'S THE NEATEST THING WE ARE PRESERVING THIS PARK, HELPING PRESERVE THIS FOR AMERICANS AND A LOT OF FOREIGNERS TO COME OUT HERE.

>> WHAT DID YOU FIND HERE?

>> ANOTHER LIZARD.

HUELL>> BOY YOU ARE GOOD AT SPOTTING THE LIZARDS .

>> IT WAS HER.

>> YES IT'S GONE NOW.

>> IT WAS GREEN AND BLACK ON THE SIDES.

IT WAS STRIPED.

HUELL>> HOW BIG WAS IT?

>> IT WAS AN ADULT.

I SDNT SEE THE TAIL REALLY.

IT WAS HIDDEN.

HUELL>> AN ALLIGATOR OR WHIPTAIL LIZARD.

>> WE NEED TO GET A BOOK AT CAM AND HAVE HER IDENTIFY IT.

HUELL>> HOW FAR DO YOU GO, LOOK AT HIM ?IFRNLTS HE'S NEW IN THE GROUP WE WILL LET HIM HUELL>> THEY GHEET THIS.

>> IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO BE.

HUELL>> DO THEY GET CREDIT?

>> NO.

HUELL>> IN SCHOOL?

>> NO.

THIS IS PART OF THE ACADEMY PROGRAM WHERE WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM BEYOND THE NORMAL SCHOOL EXPERIENCE.

SOME OF THESE KIDS WORK AS SHADOW ENGINEERS, WATCH PEOPLE WORK IN MARKETTING AND RELATIONS, ALL KINDS OF STUFF.

THEY WORK WITH COMPUTERS ALL THE TIME.

WE HAVE A WEB SITE WE ARE ABOUT FOR THE PARK ON THIS RAVEN DATA.

IT'S PART OF THEIR EXPERIENCE.

WE'RE TELLING THEM MORE TO SCHOOL THEN SITTING IN THE DESK FOR AN HOUR A DAY IN EACH CLASSROOM .

THIS IS THEIR CLASSROOM.

HUELL>> WE ARE ENDING UP OUR JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK ADVENTURE HERE, ACTUALLY JOE, THIS IS IN THE COLORADO DESERT.

THIS IS THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE PARK?

>> YES.

COLORADO DESERT IS A BRANCH THAT SPILLS INTO THE SOUTH EAST PART OF CALIFORNIA.

HUELL>> MOST OF THE PARK IS MOVAE?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

HUELL>> IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

DRIVING OVER HERE FROM THE LAST OWE LOCATION WHERE WE MET WITH RAY AND HIS STUDENTS FROM SAN JUAN CAP STRAN OWE I THOUGHT I WISH I HAD A SCIENCE TEACHER LIKE HIM WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL.

HE MOTIVATES THE KIDS.

>> YES.

WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE HIM HERE AND HELPING US OUT.

>> HOW SPOERNT RAY AND HIS VOLUNTEERS, HOW IMPORTANT ARE THEY TO THE PARK?

>> ONE OF THE THING JOSHUA TREE LACKS IS SOL I HAD INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLANTS AND ANIMAL THAT'S LIVE HERE.

RAY AND HIS KIDS ARE HELPING US GATHER BASE LINE DATA.

THIS IS INFORMATION WE CAN USE TO LOOK AT CHANGES IN THE ENVIRONMENT OVERTIME.

THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FROM A SCIENTIFIC STAND POINT.

HUELL>> JUST TO HAVE THEM HERE IS IMPORTANT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

THE EXPERIENCE FOR THE KIDS.

THEY ARE GETTING HANDS ON KNOWLEDGE THAW DON'T GET FROM A TEXTBOOK IN THE SCHOOL.

>> WE HAVE MORE HANDS ON STUFF HERE.

THIS IS THE PART OF THE ADVENTURE THAT INITIALLY GOT US HERE FRMENT YOU INVITED ME A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO TO COME HERE AND WATCH THIS BEING DONE.

WHAT ARE WE SEEING HERE?

>> WE HAVE A PROJECT GOING ONTO BUILD A NEW SELF GUIDED NATURE TRAIL HERE IN THE PARK.

IT'S AN ALL ACCESS TRAIL.

DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY FOR ALL PEOPLE, WITH PHYSICAL HANDICAPS OR NOT, CAN USE THE TRAIL TO LEARN ABOUT THINGS HERE.

HUELL>> WHO ARE THESE LADIES HERE SWEATING.

UP DIDN'T KNOW WH Y WERE GETTING INTO DID YOU?

>> NO.

WE'RE FROM T TELEPHE PIONEERS, PACIFIC BELL.

WE VOLUNTEER OUR TIME TO COME OUT AND HELP WITH THE NATURE TRAIL.

HUELL>> YOU CAN'T GET OUT THERE IN YOUR WHEEL CHAIR TODAY BECAUSE IT'S UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND YOU WOULD GET STUCK OUT HERE.

EVENTUALLY WHEEL CHAIRS WILL BE ABLE TO GO OUT ONTO THIS NATURE TRAIL?

>> THAT'S THE IDEA.

I WENT OUT AND GOT STUCK.

I WON'T DO THAT ANYMORE.

HUELL>> WELL, YOU WON'T GET STUCK?

A COUPLE OF MONTHS WHEN THIS IS FINISHED.

>> THIS PARTICULAR SURFACE THEY ARE PUTTING ON HERE, THE ROAD OIL IS SOMETHING NEW.

IT HARDENS THE SURFACE OF THE SAND WITHOUT MAKING IT LOOK LIKE IT'S A BIG CONCRETE OR SOMETHING ASPHALT TRAIL.

IT WILL BE NATURAL LOOKING AND YET PEOPLE LIKE WENDY OR PEOPLE WITH VISUAL HANDICAPS OR DISABILITIES SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE THE TRAIL.

IF YOU GO OUT FURTHER YOU WILL SEE THE PIECES ON THE TRAIL THAT ARE DESIGNED TO LELT PEOPLE KNOW THEY ARE COMING UP ON AN EXHIBIT OR REST AREA.

HUELL>> THIS IS STATE STATE-OF-THE-ART?

WILL THIS BE A TRAIL PEOPLE WILL KNOW ABOUT AND WE WILL HEAR A LOT ABOUT IT?

>> IT'S NOT JUST STATE STATE-OF-THE-ART, BUT PRACTICAL.

THIS SURFACE BLENDS INTO THE NATURAL SURROUNDINGS.

WE'RE NOT ASPHALTING THE WINWILDERNESS HERE.

WE ARE PROVIDING GOOD DRAINAGE AND ALL PEOPLE CAN ACCESS THIS UNIQUE DESERT SPOT.

HUELL>> DO YOU ANTICIPATE A LOT OF PEOPLE USING THIS A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL BE HERE IN WHEELCHAIRS?

>> YES.

PEOPLE STAY AWAY BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY CAN'T GO.

WHEN THEY CAN FIND OUT THEY CAN GO, THEY WILL.

WE HAVE DONE ABOUT 150 PROJECTS ALL AROUND THE PROJECT.

WE FIND AS WE DO THEM, IF YOU SHOW THEM THE WAY 24TH WILL COME.

>> IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME.

>> CAN WE COME.

WE WILL REJOIN YOU IN A MOMENT.

COME ON, JOE.

THERE'S ANOTHER ELEMENT HERE AS WELL.

WELL, THIS IS THE FIRST, WE ARE WALKING OVER THE BRIDGE.

EXCUSE YOU US.

YOU ARE WORKING HARD.

>> YES.

HUELL>> DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING?

>> WE ARE FILING THE EDGES SO EVERYTHING WON'T BE SHARP.

DO I WHAT THEY TELL ME TO DO.

HUELL>> ROCKY IS THE HEAD GUY OUT THERE?

>> HOEFR.

THERE HUELL>> YOU ARE OUT HERE.

DID YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WERE GETTING INTO?

>> YES.

I HAVE BEEN OUT HERE THREE TIMES.

I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I'M DOING.

HUELL>> IT GROWS ON YOU?

>> YES.

IT'S AWFUL HOT TOO, BY THE WAY.

HUELL>> WE KNOW THAT.

>> NOTHING NEW RIGHT.

HUELL>> HAD YOU BEEN IN THE PARK BEFORE?

>> YES I'VE BEEN COMING OUT HERE FOR THE PAST 15 OR 20 YEARS.

I ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

IT'S GREAT.

HUELL>> THIS GIVES YOU A MORE SPECIAL ATTACHMENT TO THE PARK.

YOU HAVE ACTUALLY DONE SOMETHING.

>> I CAN SAY THIS IS PARPT OF WHAT I.

DO IT'S WONDERFUL JUST TO BE OUT HERE.

HUELL>> OKAY.

LET'S WALK.

WE ARE GOING TO WALK OVER YOUR BRIDGE.

>> DON'T MESS IT UP.

HUELL>> HERE WE GO.

WATCH OUT FOR THE SNAKES?

>> HA, HA.

HUELL>> OH, BOY.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN SNAKES.

>> WE SAW ONE THIS MORNING.

THERE WAS A RED RACER.

HERE'S A BAR TH, IS LIKE A TEXTURE BAR.

WHEN PEOPLE WALK ACROSS HERE IF THEY HAVE VISUAL I IMPAIRMENTS THEY WILL FEEL THIS AND KNOW SOMETHING IS HERE.

WE WILL HAVE CASSETTES WITH INFORMATION ON IT.

HUELL>> HERE'S THE TRAIL.

HOW LONG IS THE TRAIL?

>> ROUGHLY A QUARTER OF A MILE.

ABOUT THIRTEEN HUNDRED FEET.

>> WHAT WILL THEY SEE?

>> MOTHER OF MOSTLY DESERT PLANTS.

HERE WE HAVE AN IRON WOOD TREE.

HUELL>> WHAT'S THIS?

>> THAT'S A DEAD IRON WOOD TREE.

THESE ARE LIVE ONES HERE.

THEY DON'T GROW ELSE WHERE IN THE PARK.

THEY ARE ONLY HERE IN THE PARK.

THAT'S WHY WE WANTED TO PUT A TRAIL HERE TO TALK ABOUT THINGS NOT EVERYONE IN THE PARK CEASE.

>> THIS IS TRULY A NATURE TRAIL?

>> YES.

THIS IS A BAHADA TRAIL WHERE THERE'S EROSION.

HUELL>> LOOK AT THIS VIEW.

>> RIGHT.

HUELL>> THIS IS THE GREAT.

>> THESE ARE THE MOUNTAINS OUTSIDE OF THE PARK.

YOU CAN SEE THE ELUVIAL FANS.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE WALKING ON.

HUELL>> LOUIE WON'T SEE IT WITH HIS CAMERA BUT THERE'S THE FREEWAY THERE.

THE 10 FREEWAY IS JUST RIGHT HERE H. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE PASS BY HERE HOURLY.

>> TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE A DAY.

THAT'S WHY WE HOPE THE TRAIL WILL BE A POPULAR THING, IT'S RIGHT OFF THE INTERSTATE.

HUELL>> WE ARE HEADING DOWN THE TRAIL.

IT LOOKS LIKE SOME ACTIVITY GOING ON DOWN HERE.

BOY, I TELL YOU HERE COME TWO PIONEERS DOING THEIR THING.

>> WE'RE TAKING IT ON.

HUELL>> EVERYBODY IS LOADED.

BOY YOU ARE, YOU GOT IT ALL.

>> YEP.

HUELL>> KEEP GOING, KEEP GOING.

>> IT'S JUST GREAT HERE.

HUELL>> I FEEL GUILTY NOT CARE CARRYING ANYTHING, JOE.

>> YOU HAVE THE MICROPHONE.

HUELL>> WE'RE HEADING FOR A SPECIFIC DESTINATION.

YOU WERE POINT ISING OUT IT'S NOT ALWAYS THIS HOT HERE, OBVIOUSLY.

>> NO IN THE SPRING MONTHS IT'S VERY DELIGHTFUL HERE.

WITH THE RAIN THE PLANTS START TO BLOOM AND IT LOOKS HEALTHIER THEN NOW.

>> THIS PAST SPRING WAS A SPECTACULAR SPRING?

>> WE HAD A GREAT WILD FLOWER DISPLAY OUT HERE.

HUELL>> ALL OF THIS WOULD OF BEEN IN BLOOM?

>> PRETTY MUCH.

YELLOW AND RED FLOWERS ALL AROUND.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

HUELL>> TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON.

THIS IS THE OUTLINE OF THE TRAIL DOWN HERE.

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

>> WE HAVE FOLKS HERE FROM THE YOUTH CONSERVATION AL CORE.

WE HAD THE HARD PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION HERE.

THE LAYING OF THE OIL.

HUELL>> YOUTH CONSERVATION CORE?

>> YES A SUMMER WORK PROGRAM ON THE NATIONAL PARKS.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT COME OUT AND HELP US WITH VARIOUS CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS S. HUELL>> ALL KINDS OF THANK YOUS.

>> WHO IS IN XHARJ?

>> THIS GUY HERE.

HUELL>> HE'S POWERING SOMETHING.

THIS IS THE GLAMOUR SIDE OF WORKING IN THE PARK.

>> YES.

HUELL>> HOWDY.

>> HI.

HUELL>> TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

>> WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW IS PUTTING DOWN THE ROA: MIXING IT INTO THE SURFACE.

ONCE WE GET IT MIXED WITH THE COOKIE DOUGH MIXTURE.

HUELL>> WHAT DO DO YOU?

JUST POUND IT DOWN?

>> WHAT WE DO IS GRADE IT WITH THE ASPHALT RAKE.

THE FINAL THING WE PACK IT WITH THE ROLLER.

HUELL>> I HEAR YOU ARE QUITE THE TASK MASTER OUT HERE.

>> WHERE DO YOU HEAR THAT FROM?

HUELL>> WELL LET'S GET SOME...

DOES HE WORK YOU HARD OUT HERE?

>> YES.

ACTUALLY.

HUELL>> WHEN YOU SIGNED UP FOR THIS DID YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WERE GETTING INTO?

>> NOT REALLY.

HUELL>> WHY DID YOU JOIN UP?

>> SOMETHING TO.

DO NO, I HAVE NEVER WORKED WITH THE PARK BEFORE OR TRAVELED IN THE PARK BEFORE.

IT'S A NEW EXPERIENCE.

HUELL>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PARK AFTER YOUR FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS WORKING HERE?

>> IT'S HECTIC.

>> THERE'S A LOT TO SEE AND DO.

>> A LOT.

HUELL>> YOU ALL ARE MAKING A REAL CONTRIBUTION.

CAN GUILTY OVER HERE.

I DON'T WANT TO STEP ON YOUR TRAIL HERE.

>> ARE YOU HAVING FUN?

>> ALWAYS.

EVERY DAY IS A HOLIDAY.

HUELL>> NOW, ARE YOU PART OF THE?

>> I'M ONE OF THE ADULT LEADERS.

I WORK SEASONAL MAINTENANCE WITH JOSHUA TREE ON TRAILS.

>> I GOT YOU.

HERE'S ANOTHER STUDENT HERE.

HAVING FUN?

>> YES.

EVERY DAY.

HUELL>> YOU ARE LOOKING A LITTLE WARM UNDER THERE.

>> IT'S VERY WARM.

>> BUT IT HAS TO BE REWARDING?

>> IT DOES.

IT FEELS GOOD WHEN YOU SEE I DID THIS.

I HELPED MAKE THIS TRAIL.

IT FEELS REALLY GOOD IN THE END.

HUELL>> WELL, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU.

THIS IS GOOD WORK GOING ON OUT HERE.

>> THIS IS GREAT WORK.

WORK WE REALLY NEED.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT THEM.

HUELL>> WELL, THAT'S IT.

THAT'S OUR VISIT TO JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK.

I GUESS IT HAD TO BE TWO OF THE HOTTEST DAYS OF THE YEAR.

WE CAME HERE AND HAD A WONDERFUL TIME.

THIS IS A REAL GEM AND TREASURE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THE NEAT THING ABOUT IT IS THAT IT BELONGS TO EEFRN OF US.

THIS IS OUR PARK.

NOT ONLY IS IT A PLACE FULL OF NATURAL BEAUTY AND HISTORY, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF HUMAN HISTORY AS WELL.

AS WE SAW IN THESE ADVENTURES, EACH LITTLE SEGMENT, THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT LOVE THIS PARK AND WILLING TO COME HERE AND VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME AND SERVICES TO MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL OF US.

SO, IF THERE'S A LESSON TO BE LEARNED IT'S THIS PARK IS HERE FOR ALL OF US TO ENJOY.

COME OUT, JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL ALL YEAR AROUND.

MAYBE YOU DON'T WANT TO COME OUT IN AUGUST.

THE REST OF THE YEAR IT'S SPECTACULAR.

ROCK CLIMBING, HIKING, CAMMING PG.

IT'S A PLACE FILLED WITH WONDER.

PW'ZTé3'q!2CTNO CARRIER