The Joshua Tree National Park Association is looking for nominations for the seventeenth Annual Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation Award. The prestigious award recognizes individuals or organizations whose achievements have led to a significant and lasting impact on behalf of California’s deserts. Minerva Hoyt’s campaign to preserve those deserts led to the creation of Joshua Tree National Monument in 1936. Here’s reporter Mike Lipsitz with more on eligibility…
Past winners of this prestigious award read like a “Who’s Who of Conservation Achievements” and include Susan Luckie Reilly, Larry & Donna Charpied, David Myers, The Wildlands Conservancy, John Wohlmuth, Coachella Valley Association of Governments, Mark Jorgenson, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Dianne Feinstein, Owens Valley Committee, Elden E. Hughes (posthumously awarded), Steve & Ruth Rieman, Dee & Betty Zeller, Desert Protective Council (Terry Weiner), Nancy Karl, Cindy Zacks, Pat Flanagan, Robin Kobaly and The Summertree Institute, and David Lamfrom, National Park Conservation Association.
Nominations must be for conservation accomplishments in the California deserts. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and must have made a notable achievement toward conservation of the California desert in at least one of the following areas: 1) by providing leadership leading to legislative action or public policy in desert conservation; 2) with research leading to improved conservation knowledge, techniques or strategies; 3) by fostering conservation partnerships and collaborations; or 4) creating stronger public stewardship through education and outreach activity. Nomination guidelines and forms are available at the link below. Nominations must be received no later than Sunday, July 11, 2021. The 2020 Hoyt Award winner will be announced in late July 2021.
