Introduction

This lesson was created as a project for EDT 548 at ASU West in Glendale, Arizona. I am a native of Glendale and have watched developement eat up more and more of the Sonoran Desert. One reason that this happens is that people not familiar with the desert see it as an ugly, lifeless entity that has no real value as compared to a rain forest or some other green lush ecosystem. If people can become educated as to the true beauty and importance of the Sonoran Desert ecosystem maybe they will be less likely to destroy it.

I teach in a low income school that is approx. 90% Hispanic. In Arizona in 2002 145 people died in the desert crossing the border. The desert safety section of this lesson is meant to at least make that 144 in 2003. The safety tips are valuable for anyone planning a trip into the desert.