The Mojave Desert Land Trust recently purchased 40 acres of desert within Joshua Tree National Park and intends to eventually give the land to the park. With more information, here’s managing editor Tami Roleff…
The Mojave Desert Land Trust is helping to preserve the border of Joshua Tree National Park by buying up private property that lies within the park’s boundaries. It recently purchased two parcels, totaling 40 acres, on rugged land in the Little San Bernardino Mountains with spectacular views. The land is home to bobcat, desert tortoise, and tiger whiptail lizard; and includes apricot mallow, smoke tree, and teddy bear cholla, among other native plants. The Land Trust says buying private land helps protect the integrity of the ecosystem. The parcels will eventually be conveyed to Joshua Tree National Park. To date, MDLT has acquired 10,004 acres within Joshua Tree National Park.
“Without the help of our volunteers, friends, and partners, we could not effectively protect Joshua Tree. Thankfully, we have a great friend in MDLT. Over the years, they have preserved tens of thousands of acres of public land in all the California desert parks. These two new properties are just the most recent in a long history of providing aid to Joshua Tree. By helping to limit the potential impact from development on in-holdings in the park, MDLT frees up my staff to work on serving the park visitors and ensuring that their land is preserved for the next generation.” – David Smith, Superintendent, Joshua Tree National Park.
“This acquisition is alive with important flora and fauna. It is a beautiful representation of the Colorado Desert. National parks protect the country’s rich cultural and natural history. The existence of private land within national parks leaves the door open for inappropriate development which can impact these treasured areas. We are working to acquire these areas and convey them to the National Park Service, so that both wildlife habitat and public access is secured within the California Desert.” – Geary Hund, Executive Director
Care and management of the parcels will include the elimination of unauthorized off-road vehicle use, control of weeds, and restoration of native plants where appropriate.
