When it comes to off-roading here in the desert, there are those who love it and those who deem it destructive. To better understand the issue, the Desert Institute has put together a class on the long history of this recreation. Reporter Heather Clisby has the details…
That distinctive high-gear whine of a dirt bike or the throaty purr of a dune buggy are both familiar sounds in the desert. But off-roaders and environmentalists regularly argue over access. To explore this issue, the Twentynine Palms Old Schoolhouse and the Desert Institute will host a virtual lecture, “A History of Off-Roading in the California Desert, 1945-1990” on Friday, October 9 at 7 pm., as part of the monthly Old Schoolhouse lecture series.
Led by Julia Sizek, the event will explore how off-roading became popular after WWII and how it became such a divisive issue. Sizek, a PhD candidate in anthropology at UC Berkeley, will use storytelling and archival items to discuss how off-roading prompted debates around outdoor recreation and the value of public lands.
The fee for the online presentation is $6.24. To register, visit http://www.crowdcast.io/e/a-history-of-off-roading
