Page 25 - May 2016 • Southern California Gaming Guide

SIycuan Tribe Implements Aggressive Water Conservation Program
n late March, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation announced it had completed a major installation of xeriscape landscaping has further reduction in overall water usage through an aggressive conservation program that included retro tting resulted in a more than 50% reduction of water use irrigation equipment, removing and replacing water-dependent landscaping and increasing awareness throughout those properties.”
around the importance of water conservation.
e program has reduced the Tribe’s reliance on groundwater at the Sycuan Resort golf course by 25% and cut water use on properties within the Padre Dam and Otay municipal water districts by
an average of 22%.
“Sycuan is committed to doing its part to conserve,
reduce and reuse water throughout the reservation and our commercial enterprises,” stated Chairman Cody Martinez. “We are proud of the reductions we have achieved so far and intend to increase our e orts this year and beyond.”
Projects on the original reservation completed to date include the removal of more than 25,000 square feet of turf and replacement with drought- tolerant xeriscape landscaping or mulch; the
OSan Manuel Band Honors San Bernardino Nonprofits
replacement of more than 5,000 sprinkler nozzles;
and the replacement of 35 irrigation clocks with “smart clocks” that self-adjust to real-time weather for more e cient use. Key sta members have also obtained EPA-recognized industry certi cations to strengthen their knowledge of water conservation
and reduction measures.
“During the rst year of the program, we
strategically and aggressively pursued a number of projects to reduce, reuse and reclaim our precious water resources,” said Jim Park, Assistant Director of Landscaping. “We have doubled the lands irrigated with reclaimed water and converted high- water usage irrigation systems to drip, increasing e ciency from 40% to 90% in those areas. e
e Tribe plans to undertake additional projects that will build on the work already performed, including more turf removal; connecting substantial acreage of the original reservation to newly installed purple-pipe; installing a state-of-the-art reverse osmosis system to further bene t the groundwater well eld; and expanding its water reclamation plant.
e Tribe’s work has been recognized by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which has provided more than $65,000 in rebates to support the water conservation program. e original Sycuan Reservation is entirely dependent on groundwater, with newer portions of the reservation served by the Padre Dam and Otay municipal water districts.
n March 22nd, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians held its eighth annual Yawa’ Forging in San Bernardino and Orange Counties, the city of Hope Awards at the National Orange Show Fairgrounds in San Bernardino. Hosted by the Riverside and Phoenix; and Indigenous Language Discovery Channel’s Ariel Tweto of the documentary show Flying Wild Alaska, representatives Institutes, which helps preserve and maintain Native
of over 100 local nonpro t groups were in attendance. Each year the Tribe recognizes four organizations that have demonstrated Yawa’, a Serrano term that translates “to act on one’s beliefs.” Awards are given
to one each in the four categories of education, health, economic development, and special projects. “Yawa’ motivates us to work day-by-day to ful ll our life’s purpose,” said San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena. “With this award we recognize
nonpro t groups that are ghting for a healthier
more consistent community. is event not only celebrates these four e ective programs but grows awareness for small and new groups.”
is year, the four nonpro t groups that were honored included The Alliance for Children, which helps poverty-stricken and needy children; Catching the Dream, which provides college scholarships for Native Americans; Mercy House Living Center that serves the homeless community
American languages.
“We have had the greatest partnership with the
Tribe for ve years, and we are truly grateful that we are not in this alone,” said Judy Conner, Mercy House Inland Empire program director. “To be able to give a bed and blankets to a child who has been on the streets for far too long is more than we can began to express, because of your generosity we’ve been able to do this time and time again.”
TSoboba Foundation Golf Tournament Raises $100,000 for Charity
he 4th Annual Soboba Foundation Charity Golf Tournament had another successful year. Although the stats out on the green may show one winning team, the real winners on April 1st, were the many charities that bene ted from the lucrative live auction event.
After a well-played game of golf, the event raised more than $100,000 in donations for several charities including EEK Fitness, a nonpro t that provides exercise, recreation, and learning programs for the special needs community and their families; the Ramona Humane Society, a nonpro t open- admission animal shelter, animal control agency and high quality, low-cost spay/neuter and wellness clinic; Friends of Valley Wide, a community organization that strives to sustain the recreational and outreach programs for local youth served by the
Valley Wide recreation and park district; and T.H.E. Center, whose mission is to help students discover
new capabilities through supervised therapeutic equestrian activities.
Miguel Sarasa, Executive Director for T.H.E. Center stated “We will be using the donated funds to create an equestrian
sensory trail for disabled students that will enhance the quality of therapeutic riding
care we are able to provide. We are so The Soboba Foundation presents T.H.E. Center with a $10,000 grateful for all the Soboba Foundation has donation.
done for us and our community.”
MAY 2016
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
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According to Isaiah Vivanco, Vice Chairman for the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, “With the overwhelming support of our sponsors the
foundation was fortunate enough to present several organizations with a $10,000 donation each and for this we are very appreciative.”
May 2016 Tribes in the News