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Circle J - Norris Ranch
More News
Archaeological Survey Performed at Circle J
Twenty Porterville College students braved the fury of "El Nino" to perform an archaeological reconnaissance of the Circle J - Norris Ranch this past winter. Under the direction of Porterville College archaeological instructor, Richard Osborne (photo at right), the students surveyed approximately one half of the 620 acres on the ranch. Important sites were carefully recorded but left undisturbed. Sites worthy of noting include a Yaudanchi village site as well as many bedrock mortar sites used for grinding acorns and other food resources.
The twenty students involved in the research were a dedicated and conscientious group. Dubbed the "A Team" by Richard Osborne, they volunteered over 100 hours (mostly on rainy weekends) to complete the tedious survey. The A Team was a diverse group made up of all ages from 19 to 76 years. Members of the team included many community members, Native Americans from the Tule Indian Reservation, local educators, college students and SCICON staff.
Richard Osborn and the A Team plan to complete the archaeological survey this fall and winter. If you are interested in participating, you can e-mail Richard Osborne, Porterville College or call him at (559) 791-2298.
Jeremy Miller Successful as First Circle J-Norris Ranch Coordinator
Jeremy Miller (photo at left) served as the first-ever coordinator for educational activities for the Circle J - Norris Ranch during the spring of 1998. Jeremy contacted SCICON looking for a project to complete for his masters degree in environmental education from Antioch College in New Hampshire. Jeremy came out to SCICON in February 1998 and immediately began contacting teachers who had expressed an interest in bringing their students to SCICON. Under Jeremy's leadership there were over twenty-six days of field trips, learning activities and student research occurring on the ranch between February and May. This was more than double the number of student activities at the ranch from the previous year. Jeremy also compiled extensive curriculum resources for teachers (most of which he wrote himself!) known as the "J Notes."
Jeremy returned for the 1998/99 school year to continue many of the projects that he had begun previously. Besides the many student field trips he coordinated, he was instrumental in helping Orosi High School take on a long term research project at the Circle J Norris Ranch. Jeremy's outstanding efforts established a solid foundation upon which to grow the Circle J- Norris Ranch field studies program. Thanks, Jeremy!
Jeremy is currently working as a program leader at the Institute of Ecosystem Studies on the Hudson River in New York State. He can be reached at jeremym@pacbell.net.
Tulare County Office of Education
Circle J - Norris Ranch
P.O. Box 339
Springville, CA 93265
Nancy Bruce, Education Coordinator
Rick Mitchell, SCICON Director
(559) 539-2263
fax: (559) 539-2369
Jim Vidak
County Superintendent of Schools
Tulare County Office of Education
2637 West Burrel
P.O. Box 5091
Visalia, CA 93278-5091
phone: (559) 733-6300
fax: (559) 737-4378
TTY (hearing impaired): (559) 733-6307
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