Today is the 20th anniversary of the signing of the California Desert Protection act, legislation that had a big affect on our Morongo Basin communities. Joshua Tree National Park Ranger Pam Tripp marks the day…
“Lands in the California desert shall be included within the National Park System and the National Wilderness Preservation System, in order to preserve unrivaled scenic, geologic, and wildlife values associated with these unique natural landscapes”. These words are part of the California Desert Protection Act, signed by the president and enacted on October 31, 1994. This act established Death Valley and Joshua Tree as national parks, and created Mojave National Preserve. If not for this act, the Sheephole Valley, Orocopia Mountains, Chuckwalla Mountains, and the Palen/McCoy area, all of which are adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park, would not have been protected. In fact, a total of 74 desert wilderness areas in California have been designated. Thanks to the 1994 Act, many desert landscape wilderness areas are a place of solace and wonder. An appreciation can be gained for protection of human health, wildlife, and the vegetation that make up this great desert resource in California. For more information about the California Desert Protection Act visit www.nps.gov/jotr.
