WNPA drawing winner Connie Calderon and Amy Reichgott
Hugh Parker gave insights into weather patterns.
Linda Shannon-Hills
“Weather” was the focus of the presentation by Hugh Parker, SBR resident during our April 14 SBR HOA Lecture Series. Hugh has a BS in Meteorology from Penn State University and an MS in Atmospheric Science from Colorado State University. His thesis was severe thunderstorm analysis using satellite and radar data. Hugh talked about general circulation patterns for West Coast weather and ocean currents, Gulf of Mexico weather and the southwest monsoons as well as the Great Basin cold outbreaks. Top on the list was the southern Arizona weather going into details on averages, extremes, local variations caused by the various elevations and the influence of the Santa Catalina and Tortolita mountains. Hugh gave his thoughts on climate change and provided us info as to where to go for more information about weather.
“Connecting with the Western National Parks Association” presented by Amy Reichgott, Development Manager for Western National Parks Association WNPA, during our April 23 SBR HOA Lecture Series. Amy gave an overview of the mission and programs of the WNPA, how they make the national park experience possible for everyone. As a nonprofit education partner of the National Parks Service, WNPA supports 67 parks across the West. Since 1938 WNPA has worked to connect new generations to parks in meaningful ways. In its 76-year history, WNPA has returned more than $91 million in funding to partner parks, monuments, recreation areas and historic sites. Amy showed a short video on the Channel Islands National Park. She highlighted the many opportunities we can all help and ways to get involved. Amy held a drawing with those in attendance for a one-year free membership to the WNPA. Her winner is new resident Connie Calderon. Congratulations, Connie!