What We Do

Utilizing a community stakeholder engagement process designed to develop and strengthen destination partnerships to support economic development, celebrate local culture, sustain natural and cultural assets, and enhance the well-being of residents through sustainable tourism management and marketing.

The BVA is implementing a strategy to strengthen the opportunity for the community and the park to work as partners to develop Inside Anza-Borrego in ways to better benefit from well managed tourism must also clearly reflect the need to evolve the current business promotional practices from a traditional business booster style marketing plan to a Geotourism inspired Destination Management Organization – joining the Anza-Borrego region, an acknowledged World Heritage Center Man and Biosphere Reserve, to a network of world-class UNESCO recognized sustainable destinations.

First Aid and CPR Certification Courses Coming in 2025 - 2026

The Borrego Village Association (BVA) is organizing First Aid - CPR certification courses facilitated by professional certified trainers from  Kit Fox Outfitters  starting in Fall 2025,  with additional courses being scheduled in Winter / Spring 2026. 

Soon we will be setting dates for courses in Fall 2025. . Check back here for updates. These classes are free of charge for full and part time residents of Borrego Springs. We welcome Non-residents and visitors for a donation of $40.00.

If you are interested in taking this class, or have any questions, please email to borregovillage@gmail.com your:

· Name

· mailing address

· phone number

 This program is made possible by a grant from the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund. Bvefund.org

 The Borrego Springs High School Interpretation Course and Internship Program - a Co-operative approach to Career Technical Education between the Borrego Springs Unified School District and the Borrego Village Association

(The Borrego Springs High School Interpretation Course and Internship Program is an innovative Career Technical Education (CTE) initiative that prepares students for careers in hospitality, public service, and environmental interpretation. Launched in the 2019–2020 school year, the program integrates classroom instruction, industry-recognized certification, and hands-on internships. It is implemented through the Borrego Springs Unified School District and aligned with its Hospitality CTE pathway.

Students in isolated communities such as ours often face limited access to career exploration opportunities, professional certifications, and paid work-based learning experiences. This program addresses those gaps by providing structured pathways into local and regional employment sectors, particularly within public lands management, tourism, and community-based organizations.

The program is a two-year sequence:

• Year 1: Certification and Coursework
  Students complete an in-class, for-credit course culminating in interpretive guide and host certification through the National Association for Interpretation. Participants also earn Emergency First Aid and CPR certification through American CPR Training. 
• Year 2: Paid Internship Experience
  Students who successfully complete Year 1 transition into internships conducted in partnership with Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Interns rotate through operational units, gaining exposure to park management, visitor services, and interpretive programming. Additional placements include the Borrego Water District, Anza-Borrego Foundation, and Borrego Art Institute. 

Goals and Objectives of the Program

• Provide students with industry-recognized certifications and workforce-ready skills 
• Expand access to paid, career-aligned internship opportunities 
• Increase awareness of careers in public lands, hospitality, and local government 
• Strengthen partnerships between schools, public agencies, and community organizations

Outcomes and Impact

• By the end of the 2025–2026 school year, 75 students will have completed the certification and internship program 
• Students gain hands-on experience, professional mentorship, and exposure to career pathways 
• The program has demonstrated sustained student interest and strong community support 

Funding and Sustainability
The Borrego Village Association recently secured a grant from Parks California, securing funding through the 2028 school year. This funding enables the program to provide paid internship opportunities, ensuring equitable access for all students. Additional support is, and has been since 2018, provided by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Borrego Springs Rotary Foundation, Borrego Springs Education Foundation, and the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund.

Program Leadership and Partnerships
The program is led by local educator Stacy Valdez and supported by district leadership and community partners, including California State Parks. We greatly appreciate California State Parks - Colorado Desert District Supervisor, Ray Lennox for his dedication to making this program a success and making available his staff and resources, to support the youth of our community.  These collaborations ensure high-quality instruction, mentorship, and real-world learning experiences.

An Opportunity for Students!
Due to demonstrated success, the program will continue into the 2026–2027 academic year, expanding to serve new cohorts of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. If you are a student at Borrego Springs High School that is interested in participating in this two year CTE, for credit course elective, please contact Borrego Springs High School Principal Victoria Baay.

 Visitors to the town of Borrego Springs know about Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; in fact, many stay there for the express purpose of spending time in the park. Yet, visitors typically consider their experience in Borrego Springs to be entirely separate from their experience in the park. The Borrego Village Association (BVA) would like out-of-town visitors to view their time in Borrego Springs as an extension of their Anza-Borrego experience, connecting the two localities to create a richer, fuller experience for both.  In February 2022 In 2022 the BVA engaged Tustin, California based The Acorn Group to develop a comprehensive Visitor Experience Plan. This is the first phase of developing a comprehensive Interpretive Master Plan. They are especially well qualified to take on this work for our community as in 2014 they developed the Interpretive Master Plan for Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.    Our first step was to organize a local stakeholder focus group representing the Park, key hospitality and tourism service providers, and civil society organizations, to help guide and asses Acorn’s planning goals.    In March Acorn, with help from Anza-Borrego Foundation, Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, and students in the Borrego Springs High School Interpretation Program, we initiated a visitor survey. It was conducted as in-person intercept surveys using iPads equipped with QuickTap surveys to visitors at a total of 6 locations, running through April 24th. The survey results will help us to understand the nature of a person’s visit, reveal the information visitors would like to receive before and during a visit, and reveal “pain points” during the visitor experience as opportunities for improvement.  Our next step is to use the survey data, along with a community assets assessment, situation analysis and focus group feedback to create, by early this summer a Visitor Experience Plan with a comprehensive interpretive, informational and wayfinding media strategy. After that we will implement the recommendations that result from the plan, which can include a combination of signage and wayfinding along with web based applications and digital media.   The Acorn Group offers a range of services in interpretive and educational master planning, exhibit design, curriculum development, and evaluation.  The Acorn Group and the catalog division, Acorn Naturalists, are long established firms in the fields of education and interpretation. They are incorporated in the State of California and certified as a Small Business and Women's Business Enterprise.    The Visitor Experience Plan is funded by grants from the Under the Sun Foundation, San Diego Board of Supervisors, and private donors. 

 The BVA has raised over $800,000, from public grant making agencies and private donors to successfully implement a suite of program activities including;

• Facilitating a series of Tourism Visioning Workshops; Conducting a comprehensive Visitors Survey; Writing a Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan;.
  
•  Creating an interactive website. BorregoExperience.com, with complimentary Facebook and Instagram social media platforms, to tell the story of and promote our place-based authenticity to a global audience of travelers.
  
• Partnering with the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) to conduct Hospitality Skills Training for local residents to become NAI Certified Interpretive Hosts. Over 50 local residents have participated in this program. 25 members of our community have achieved Certified Interpretive Host accreditation. Through NAI's Train the Trainers Program 5 members of our community have become certified by NAI as Certified Interpretive Trainers
  
• Initiated in the 2019-20 school year I partnership with the Borrego Springs Unified School District, we have organized and managed NAI Certified Interpretive Hosts and Guide certification program as a for-credit course elective for high school juniors and seniors. Borrego Springs High School. Students taking the interpretation course achieve two professional level, internationally recognized, accreditations from the National Association for Interpretation as Certified Interpretive Hosts and Certified Interpretive Guides. Students also have access to NAI’s Career Resources service. By the end of the 2026 school year 75 students will have achieved professional level accreditations as NAI Certified Hosts and Guides. Starting Students completing the course are eligible to participate in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Internship Program. This can lead to potential employment with California State Parks. 

• In winter 2022 engaged The Acorn Group to develop a comprehensive Visitor Experience Master Plan to help us better steward our destination, enhance benefits for local people from well managed tourism, and maximize the visitor experience in the Borrego Springs Region . 

• BVA has been working closely with a volunteer committee to replace the aging welcome signs that greet visitors and residents of Borrego Springs. Originally installed in the 1970s, these signs are now faded, worn, and no longer reflect the vibrancy of our community. After an extensive planning process—including two community surveys and broad outreach—we have finalized three new welcome sign designs and selected ideal locations for them. In 2025 - 2026 the BVA raised $28,000 from 91 local donors to design and fabricate the new WELCOME SIGNS. We hope to install the first sign in Fall 2026