Since Mountain Press started the Roadside Geology series forty years ago, southern Californians have been waiting for an RG of their own. During those four decades�which were punctuated by jarring earthquakes and landslides�geologists continued to unravel the complexity of the Golden State, where some of the most dramatic and diverse geology in the world erupts, crashes, and collides. With dazzling color maps, diagrams, and photographs, Roadside Geology of Southern California takes advantage of this newfound knowledge, combining the latest science with accessible stories about the rocks and landscapes visible from winding two-lane byways as well as from the region�s vast network of highways. Join Arthur Sylvester, an award-winning UC Santa Barbara geologist, and Elizabeth O�Black Gans, a geologist-illustrator, as they motor through mountains and deserts to explore the iconic features of the SoCal landscape, from boulder piles in Joshua Tree National Park and brilliant white dunes in the Channel Islands to tar seeps along the rugged coast and youthful cinder cones in the Mojave Desert. Whether you want to find precious gemstones, ponder the mysteries of the Salton Sea, or straddle the boundary between the North American and Pacific Plates, be sure to bring this book along as your tour guide.

"A highly accessible work of immense value on all facets of informal learning opportunities. The focus on specific content areas is an excellent tool for teachers, and the inclusion of a section related to English Language Learners is especially welcome and unique." —Robert Rueda, Professor of Education University of Southern California "This great resource demonstrates how to gain more meaning from field trips and includes a wealth of tips, suggestions, and rubrics to make it easy to assess student learning. This book shows that just as much—or more—learning can be achieved when not in a classroom setting." —Mark Johnson, Principal and Curriculum and Assessment Facilitator Glenwood Elementary School, Kearney, NE Turn every field trip into a high-quality learning experience! What youngster isn′t excited at the prospect of taking a field trip? Enthusiastic students present teachers with the ideal scenario for creating meaningful out-of-the-classroom encounters and giving students the building blocks to help them become active participants in their own educational process. This resource helps educators take full advantage of off-site educational opportunities by developing lessons that connect informal learning with content standards. Based on constructivist philosophy and inquiry-based learning, the book provides numerous sample lesson plans and technology tips, and includes: Learner-centered activities for language arts, math, science, social studies, and fine art Ways to support English Language Learners and special education students Guidelines for developing corresponding classroom activities Strategies for building partnerships with informal learning sites Methods for bringing museum-type activities into the classroom when a trip is not possible Informal Learning and Field Trips helps enrich students′ lives as they explore the world outside the school grounds and gives teachers a prime opportunity to revitalize the learning experience.

Twenty vignettes focus on particular geologic scenes, relationships, and features of southern California's active landscape.

Los Angeles may have a reputation as a concrete jungle, but in reality, it’s incredibly biodiverse, teeming with an amazing array of animals and plants. You just need to know where to find them. Wild LA—from the experts at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County—is the guidebook you’ve been waiting for. Equal parts natural history book, field guide, and trip planner, Wild LA has something for everyone. You’ll learn about the factors shaping LA nature—including flood, fire, and climate change—and find profiles of over one hundred local species, from sea turtles to rare plants to Hollywood's famous mountain lion, P-22. Also included are day trips that detail which natural wonders you can experience on hiking trails, in public parks, and in your own backyard.