Have you ever noticed the difference in temperature as you gain or lose elevation? For instance, say you’re near the Morongo Community Center, and then you drive up into Potrero Canyon; you can feel that it becomes cooler. This happens for a few reasons; moisture from the vegetation cools the air compared to the asphalt surrounding the Community Center. The main reason, however, is a phenomenon known as the adiabatic lapse rate. Simply stated, the air will cool/heat at an average rate of about 5.4 °F per 1000 feet; this means that if you gain 1000 feet in elevation, the temperature will be about 5 and ½ degrees cooler. Likewise, if you descend 1000 feet, the temperature will be that much warmer. Take a look at the below chart; the higher temperatures were recorded at a Morongo weather station located at 1698 feet above mean sea level (MSL). The lower temperatures were recorded at 3155 feet. The resulting average temperature difference between the two stations is 7.7 °F; the elevation difference between the two stations is 1465 feet. The reason there is a change in temperature is caused primarily due to atmospheric pressure; the lower in elevation that you go, the more atmospheric pressure there is. The increased pressure results in increased energy, which is released as heat. A pressure cooker works under the same principle; by increasing the pressure, you increase the energy (heat). To further illustrate this point, when

you take a closed empty plastic bottle down from the mountains, it appears that someone crumpled it up. But in fact what has happened is that the amount of air pressure has increased with the decrease in elevation, and it affects the bottle. Conversely, if you take the same bottle up a few thousand feet, you will notice that it expands with the decreasing air pressure. The same goes for the air that is around us. Air that is at a lower elevation has more pressure upon it; the increased pressure increases the amount of energy which increases the temperature.

Benefits of Purchasing a Fuel Efficient Car

2

Environmental Education

3

Gold Spotted Oak Borer

4

Waste Free Spring Cleaning

5

Spring Flowers 6

Winter Review 7

Upcoming Events 8

Inside This Issue

April 2013 - Volume 8, Issue 2

This newsletter was printed on

100% Post-Consumer Recycled Paper

It’s Cooler Up There Written by: James Payne, Environmental Director

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Benefits of Purchasing a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Written by: Pamela Atcitty, Environmental Specialist

With fossil fuels in limited supply, rising gas price, and the summer driving season right around the corner, it might be a great time to look into purchasing a fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly vehicle. These vehicles produce less harmful impacts to the environment than the most common gas-burning, internal combustion vehicles. Today’s fuel-efficient cars and trucks are powered by alternative fuels and advanced technologies such as hybrids, electric, flexible-fuel, biodiesel and natural gas.

Fuel-efficient cars provide numerous benefits over non-fuel-efficient cars. Whether you choose a hybrid, biodiesel or electric, you as a consumer will gain a lot, and so will the environment. Here are just a few of the benefits of purchasing a newer, fuel-efficient vehicle:

Fuel-Efficient Cars Get Better Gas Mileage Compared to the gas-guzzling cars of years ago, today’s fuel-efficient cars, trucks and SUV’s get increasingly better fuel economy. In the most current models, fuel economy gains are substantial and this means using less gas and getting better miles per gallon (mpg). The difference between a car that gets 20 mpg and one that gets 30 mpg amounts to about $1063 per year (assuming fuel cost $4.25 at 15,000 miles). Fuel-efficient models come in all shapes and sizes so you don’t have to sacrifice utility or size. Fuel-Efficient Cars Reduce Greenhouse Gases Burning fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel adds greenhouse gases, mostly carbon dioxide, to Earth’s atmosphere. Large scale increases in greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere can lead to global climate change. With a smaller gasoline engine, fuel-efficient cars release fewer pollution emissions. Hybrid vehicles

can reduce air emissions of smog-forming pollutants by up to 90 percent. In addition, hybrids can cut emissions of carbon dioxide in half.

Fuel-Efficient Cars Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil As a nation, we are over dependent on foreign oil. Buying a more fuel-efficient car can help reduce our dependence on other countries and make us less vulnerable to oil price shocks from an increasing volatile oil market. Fuel-Efficient Cars Promote Insurance

Discounts Many leading car insurance companies offer discounted insurance coverage rates for people who drive fuel-efficient cars. These cars

tend to be less powerful and owned by drivers less interested in hot-rodding or aggressive, risky driving behavior that increase car accidents and costly insurance coverage and repairs. Visit EPA’s website for a complete guide to comparing and purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle: http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/Index.do

Page 2 April 2013 - Volume 8, Issue 2

Fuel-efficient cars saves money at the pump.

Fuel-efficient cars come in all shapes and sizes and are great for the environment.

Environmental Education Written by: Debbie Gandara, Environmental Admin. Assistant

Page 3 April 2013 - Volume 8, Issue 2

Once again it is time for The Morongo Environmental Protection Department to visit the Morongo Schools, Pre-K through 8th Grade, to teach the students Environmental Education. On March 1, 2013, we had our Pre-Rally Kick-Off with all 3 campuses to introduce this year’s Feather Challenge-which is a Pledge each student would make to Mother Earth. Each student received their own Feather Pledge, which they were to cut-out and color, with a magnet on the back so the child could place their Feather Pledge on their refrigerator, along with a letter to their parent/guardian from the EPD Director James Payne explaining what the Feather Pledge was along with a “Swag Bag”, filled with a Tire Gauge, a 5-Minute Shower Timer, and a Conserve the Energy Sticker to remind the kids to turn off the lights when not in use, and a 4-oz. Mixed Fruit Medley do-nated from our own Hadley’s Fruit Orchard. The articles that were provided in each child’s “Swag Bag” will help each child to fulfill their “Feather Pledge”, which after each pledge the child completes they must have an adult initial the pledge so we know it was fulfilled. At the Pre-Rally we had Denisa Torres- Cultural Heritage Program Assistant who spoke to the kids for a few minutes about their own Culture then she introduced the EPD Staff. During the whole month of March each one of the Environmental Specialists will spend one week at the school-sites teaching the kids about GIS/Geography, Air, Water, & Pollution Prevention. The EPD started their Environmental Education on March 4-8 2013 with the EPD Director James Payne, teaching the kids about GIS/Geography, March 11-15 we will have Pam Atcitty Morongo Air Specialist teach-ing the kids about the Air, March 28-22 will be Dana DeVries the EPD Supervisor teaching about Pollution Prevention, then on March 25-29 we will have all of the Different Environmental Specialists teaching about the Water Program also included will be Kelsey Bosch the EPD Intern. This will then conclude with Our Post-Rally on Date to be determined, where each student that fulfilled their Feather Pledge will receive a prize, also for each class that had 100% participation will also receive a class prize.

Kelsey Bosch the EPD-Intern teaching the 7th-8th Graders about planting seeds.

At the Pre-Rally from left are Kelsey Bosch EPD Intern, Denisa Torres Cul-tural Heritage Program Asst. Debbie Gandara EPD Admin. Asst., & Pamela Atcitty EPD Air Specialist.

A recent study has discovered a new infestation of a tree killing pest called the Gold Spotted Oak Borer. This pest has the ability to kill full grown Oaks and has been found in the San Diego County. A recent study has also found the GSOB in some Oaks in Idyllwild. Three of the Oaks that the GSOB attacks are the coast live oak, canyon live oak, and the Californian live oak. The small pest is no bigger when full grown than a penny. It eats its

way through the tree only leaving a pin hole for its trace. This then causes the tree to eventually lose circulation to the leaves and branches. Infected oaks will have D-shaped adult exit holes on the main stems and will have crown thinning and die-back in the canopy. No discovery of the GSOB has been reported in Morongo’s Canyons, but we need your help to prevent the spread of this tree destroyer – GSOB.

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE STORE BOUGHT FIRE WOOD INTO THE CANYONS.

DON’T MOVE FIREWOOD, USE ONLY LOCAL SOURCES.

Taking fire wood into the canyons that is bought in stores come from areas unknown and could carry the GSOB and other dangerous pests and could be transported into our canyons. The GSOB can live up to a year under the bark of a cut tree. Our Environmental Team recently received training in Idyllwild to help identify the GSOB and to help protect the Oaks in the Canyon’s.

For more information on the Gold Spotted Oak Borer go to www.GSOB.org

Page 4 April 2013 - Volume 8, Issue 2

Gold Spotted Oak Borer (GSOB) Written by: Jon Castillo, Environmental Technician

Page 5 April 2013 - Volume 8, Issue 2

Waste Free Spring Cleaning Written by: Dana DeVries, Environmental Supervisor

It is officially the time of year to reduce, reuse, and recycle the clutter that is blocking access to your summer essentials like beach chairs and barbeques! Here are some tips to keep your spring cleaning as green as possible!

Once you have decided what is staying and going, ask yourself: 1. Is it possible to reuse this? If you are feeling crafty, try some DIY projects to see if any of

what you have can save you from buying something else later. A coat of spray paint can make just about anything new again.

2. Could someone else use this? Dishes, kitchen gadgets, clothes, books, magazines, toys, home décor, and more could find a second life with someone else. Drop these items off at your local Goodwill or sell the items at a garage sale. Also, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has a Clothing and Shoes donation bin located at Public Works. Any clothing, shoes, or household textiles (towels, blankets, etc) can be bagged and placed in here for donation. Your house will be less cluttered and landfills will be that much emptier by donating your unwanted items.

3. If you can’t reuse or donate, can your clutter be recycled? It probably can! The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) helps to manage several recycling programs.

Curbside Blue Bin Recycling: Newspapers, magazines, cardboard, plastics, and metals are all recyclable. If you do not already have a recycling bin, call the EPD to request one.

Hard to recycle wastes can be brought to the Public Works Drop-off area for recycling or contact Public Works for a pick up. We accept electronic wastes, appliances, scrap metal, clothing and shoes, tires, and mixed recyclables. Keep these recyclable items out of the refuse bin and please sort into the appropriate bins (see below).

Bulky Trash

(Landfill)

Tires and Appliances: Set off to the

side for sorting.

Mixed Recyclables: Mixed paper, cardboard, glass, metal and plastics.

Household Hazardous Wastes: Paint, cleaners,

used oil, and other household chemicals.

Textile Recycling Bins: Clothing, shoes, blankets,

towels, & linens.

Scrap Metal: Metal furniture,

fencing, file cabinets, bikes, & other metal.

E-waste Recycling:

TV’s, computers, batteries, &

other electronics.

Spring is here and with the amount of rainfall we’ve had this year the ground is sure to be blooming with

different sorts of wildflowers. During our time at the schools on the reservation, we did a project with the

children to pot a native plant. The three ones they potted were white sage, wildflower mixture, and the

chaparral mix. We grew them in tiny plastic cups and once the plants are growing the children can either

plant them at school, home, or the community garden.

Native plants mean they are from this location. They are drought resistance, low maintenance, & bloom in

seasons. Planting a native plant garden is beneficial in many ways. Plants keep soil from eroding and blowing

away. They also attract birds to nest and birds are a natural pest control by preying on bugs such as flies.

Lastly, plants are found to make people feel happy and calm which is the greatest gift of all.

When you look around outside today, a few plants might catch your eye with their flowers. On the

reservation we have the common brittlebush known in Cahuilla as pa’akal. It usually is a grayish

green color, the leaves are velvety to the touch, and when it blooms it has yellow flowers. The

flowers attract butterflies and the seeds attract birds. Take a walk around today and see how

many wildflowers are in bloom, the flowers are only here for a short time so enjoy them while you

can.

Page 6 April 2013 - Volume 8, Issue 2

Spring Flowers Written By: Kelsey Bosch, Environmental Intern

These beautiful Spring Wildflowers are grown in our very own canyons on the Morongo Indian Res-ervation.

Spring Wildflowers

These are beautiful daisies, that can be found in our very own Canyons on the Reservation.

WINTER REVIEW

Page 7 April 2013 - Volume 8, Issue 2

11 Vehicles were removed and recycled this winter through

the Abandoned Vehicle Removal

Program.

The EPD collected and recycled 20

Christmas trees this winter.

Environmental Protection Department

12700 Pumarra Road

Banning, CA 92220

Upcoming Events with the Morongo Environmental Protection Department

Thank you for recycling this newsletter when finished!

Environmental Education Post-Rally

Held at each Morongo School campus on April 10th 2013. The EPD Environmental Specialists will be rewarding the students who fulfilled their Feather Pledge,

followed by each student receiving an healthy Juice Bar.

Environmental Protection Department’s 1st Open House

Thursday April 25,2013 from 12pm-4pm, Environmental Offices, 2nd Floor, Tribal Administration Building. Refreshments, Raffle Prizes, Demonstrations & Tours.

Opt-In to Continue to Receive Our Quarterly Newsletter! To continue to receive our quarterly newsletter, please opt-in for either a paper or e-mailed copy. You can complete the online form at www.morongonation.org/content/newsletter, by e-

mailing Dana at ddevries@morongo-nsn.gov with your name, address & request to be added to our e-mailing list, or call the EPD @ 951-755-5128.