Morongo Basin’s population is on the rise and industry diversity is going strong. The Twentynine Palms - Yucca Valley Census County Division, or CCD, has a population of 71,812 residents throughout 29, Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, Morongo Valley, and Homestead Valley to the North, which has increased 3% from 2010 to 2021, when the last census data was reported. Of note, the demographics have shifted since 2017, with a nearly 9% drop in white residents and a 17% drop in Native residents, while the…

While spring is known for baby birds, many species nest throughout the summer and even into fall. The baby birds, or “fledglings” once they have feathers, are often found resting on the ground as they learn to fly. While it may appear that the babies are distressed and alone, this is rarely the case. Fledglings spend days on the ground—sometimes as long as two weeks—and their parents are close by. Only seek help if the bird is injured, or perhaps move it to the shade if it appears overheated in…

While many know that feeding coyotes lead to their dependency and untimely deaths, some might wonder if it’s okay to encourage our local roadrunners to stick around by giving them food. Snake season is here, and with it comes a race of roadrunners who eat snakes and other tasty critters. It can be tempting to feed these wild-feathered descendants of the Dodo, but Connie from Feathers and Fur Wildlife Rehabilitation says, “please, don’t: roadrunners especially will become friendly and dependent.”…