Barona Tribe Announces UCSD Alum as Recipient of New Sustainable Environment Scholarship

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - September 21, 2009) - Today the Barona Band of Mission Indians announced that Scott Goodman, a UCSD alum and a graduate student at Cal Poly Pomona, was the recipient of its $2,000 Barona Sustainable Environmental Scholarship. Additionally, the Tribe awarded $1,000 scholarships to three finalists: Jacob Ayers, UCLA; Rosalee Clanton, Cuyamaca College; and Kristina Wolf, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

"While we are actively involved in green efforts on our reservation and at our resort, we wanted to find a way to encourage the next generation to take a leadership role in preserving and protecting our environment," said Edwin "Thorpe" Romero, chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. "We were inspired by the many worthy candidates who share this interest and applied to the program."

Continued Chairman Romero, "Scott demonstrated through schooling and internships that he has made a career choice to preserve the environment. We believe he has an extremely bright future ahead of him and will work diligently to protect our precious resources."

A graduate of UC San Diego with a B.A. in history, Goodman is currently pursuing a Master of Landscape Architecture at Cal Poly Pomona with an expected graduation in 2010. His present internship with OC Parks has allowed him to study and improve water quality of a nine-acre lake that uses reclaimed water. Additionally, he studied natural ecology and seed conservation at his internship with the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont. Last year, he assisted with the Pasadena Planting Day planting 400 native plants in Washington Park. His goal is to attain his landscape architecture license after graduation and work for a firm with values grounded in ecology and sustainable practices.

"The Barona Sustainable Environment Scholarship program is an important example of Barona's environmental leadership," said Gary Goodson, executive director, U.S. Green Building Council-San Diego Chapter. "From their Audubon certified golf course to their green operations and maintenance programs, Barona's portfolio of green projects is impressive no matter where you look."

The scholarship is the latest initiative as part of the Barona Valley Environmental Sustainability Program on the reservation and at Barona Resort & Casino. The program includes a state-of-the-art water reclamation plant, water recovery program, landscaping and wildlife preservation, golf course turf reduction, resort conservation programs -- carpooling, recycling and energy efficient practices -- and community outreach to increase awareness of eco-friendly events and awards.

The scholarship selection process included a student's application, references and recommendations which were reviewed by the Barona Scholarship Selection Committee consisting of representatives from the Barona Band of Mission Indians, Barona Resort & Casino, and the U.S. Green Building Council - San Diego Chapter. The scholarship funds can be used to supplement the cost of tuition, books and living expenses.

In order to be eligible for the scholarship, winners had to be studying a field related to horticulture, turf grass management, natural resources management or environmental sciences at a two or more year accredited college or university. In addition, applicants must have completed a minimum of 30 semester units, with a minimum of 15 semester units of coursework from a field of study related to the environment. Applicants must be a full-time student with a minimum of 12 credits per semester and an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The Barona Band of Mission Indians, recognized by the United States government as a sovereign nation, has lived on the Barona Indian Reservation in rural eastern San Diego County since 1932. Prior to that, the Tribe lived on the Capitan Grande Reservation, established in 1875 by the federal government. Long before, the Tribe traveled across Southern California in tune with the seasons and what nature provided. Today, the sovereign government is serving its Tribal members, their families, and sharing with the San Diego region. For more information, visit www.barona-nsn.gov.

Contact Information: CONTACTS: Audrey Doherty Jordan Cole 619-236-8397 Kelly Jacobs Speer 619-933-5013