Laserfiche WebLink
<br />002J82 <br /> <br />The river park could also support an educational and research center with the <br />participation of local universities, businesses, and elementary and secondary schools. A <br />public visitor's center might be combined with an educational-research center to educate <br />the public regarding the local biodiversity of the region, the indigenous culture, and the <br />concept of an urban river park. BorderLink researchers visited such a facility in the San <br />Diego River watershed, the Mission Trails Regional Park visitor/education center. It is an <br />appropriate model that suggests possible activities and elements for the Alamar River. <br />This educational center could complete a chain of three education centers to represent the <br />diverse habitats in the Tijuana River watershed. Tht: Tijuana River National Estuarine <br />Research Reserve (TRNERR) represents estuarine and salt marsh ecosystems. The <br />Alamar River Education-Research center could represent urban fresh water riparian <br />habitat and coastal sage scrub ecosystems. The Tecate River Education Center represents <br />montane and riparian ecosystems. <br /> <br />Table 4 summarizes land uses discussed and new land use suggestions. The listed <br />land uses are intended to be complementary uses, situated along the river in accord with <br />factors such as vulnerability to flooding, potential to draw users from different social and <br />economic backgrounds, and potential for private and public funding. In choosing the <br />locations and land allocations for any and all of the uses, planners should take into <br />account the beneficial and detrimental impacts to endemic biodiversity, especially <br />riparian habitat. <br /> <br />Visitor's center (same site as Education- <br />research center) <br /> <br />Table 4 <br />Alamar River Park Proposed Uses <br />Comments <br />This land use would emphasize the <br />importance of the river corridor's sensitive <br />wetlands, flora, fauna, and other natural <br />resources. Open space is land use that best <br />protects water supply/quality in <br />groundwater recharge areas and near <br />wellheads. <br />In cooperation with local universities, <br />maquiladoras, tourism businesses, and <br />local schools, this center would provide <br />students with learning and field research <br />experience in natural resources sciences, <br />management, river restoration, and policy. <br />Exemplary model: Mission Trails Regional <br />Park Education Center, San Diego River. <br />Would serve to educate the public on the <br />importance of clean water, local river <br />ecosystems, riparian habitat, local <br />biodiversity, and indigenous culture. <br /> <br />Land Use <br />Open space/biodiversity preserve <br /> <br />Educational-research center <br /> <br />39 <br />