Sandra Faber is University Professor of Astronomy at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Neighboring Lancaster has increased its population since the early 1980s to around 3 times its former level. Major retail has followed the population influx, centered around Palmdale's Antelope Valley Mall. The Antelope Valley is home to over 475,000, and is expected to reach 1,000,000 people by the year 2020.
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve (actually in Los Angeles County but right on the boundary of Kern County) Hungry Valley State Recreation Area (actually in Los Angeles County but right on the boundary of Kern County) Kern County chapter of the California Native Plant Society.