An agreement between Joshua Tree National Park and the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians was signed yesterday (January 17), marking a new era of collaboration.
Signed at a ceremony at Tribal headquarters in Coachella, the agreement will open new avenues for the sharing of resources in law enforcement, fire, and search and rescue. The Tribal government and the National Park will work together on educational activities in the park and on tribal land, and new trails will be established to connect the two distinct areas. The agreement also addresses the Desert Tortoise Program and planned transportation initiatives.
Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent David Smith called the agreement the “next step in a journey where we continue to collaborate to protect the park’s resources and honor the history of the people who helped shape this cultural landscape.”
