Last month the state Fish and Game Commission classified the western Joshua tree as a candidate for protection under the California Endangered Species Act or CESA. The decision changed the landscape as far as how homeowners, developers, municipalities, and other denizens of the desert interact with Joshua trees. Representatives from the Center for Biological Diversity and the National Parks Conservation Association, at an informal meeting held last night, discussed and clarified the tree’s new standing. Reporter Mike Lipsitz was there and files this report…
As a candidate for endangered species status, the Joshua tree will now enjoy all the legal protections granted under CESA. The most significant prohibition is on killing Joshua trees, but outside a very few, narrowly defined exceptions, the selling, transplanting, and otherwise molesting the trees is illegal statewide on both public and private land. These prohibitions will remain in place for the next 12 to 18 months until Fish and Game makes the final determination on permanently protecting the species under the California Endangered Species Act.
Fish and Game can authorize a workaround by issuing what is called a “take” permit, but even to apply is a long and expensive process.
If you witness the destruction or transplantation of a Joshua tree, report it to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife at 888-334-CALTIP (888 334-2258) available 24/7.
