A growing collaboration for post-fire restoration

The Mojave Desert Land Trust’s native plant nursery has begun a cooperative partnership with Joshua Tree National Park to proactively grow 3,300 plants for future post-fire restoration within the park and on other public lands throughout the Mojave Desert.

Photo: Donovan Smith

Along with species such as creosote bush, big galleta grass, desert globemallow, and Parry’s nolina, we’re growing 825 western Joshua trees—a candidate species under the California Endangered Species Act that is also protected through the 2023 Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act.

Germinated Joshua tree seeds under a microscope. Photo: Lenna Pettersson

Joshua tree seeds don't remain viable in the natural seed bank for very long. Existing research indicates that after about 40 months in the soil, germination rates decline to less than 3%. So when over 70% of the seed—some of which was kept in storage for over a decade in Joshua Tree National Park’s seed bank—sprouted in our germination chamber, our Plant Conservation team was pleasantly surprised. “This really underscores why seed banks are such a critical safeguard for at-risk species,” says MDLT Plant Conservation Program Manager Patrick Emblidge. “By extending the lifespan of seeds in controlled conditions, we ensure that viable seeds are available for restoration when the need arises.” The plants are expected to be transferred to the Park in September 2026.

Joshua tree seedlings have just begun to sprout. Photo: Donovan Smith

As part of this contract, Joshua Tree National Park nursery staff will be regularly working alongside MDLT staff at our Native Plant Nursery to share knowledge and contribute to the progress of the project throughout the seasons. "We look forward to this collaborative partnership, learning from one another and ensuring the success of this restoration effort," says Nursery Manager Lenna Pettersson.

MDLT production assistants and park service staff work together in the greenhouse. Photo: Donovan Smith

We are so grateful for the support of our committed volunteers who assist at every stage of this project. We look forward to sharing further updates about this developing collaboration!

Volunteers help fill pots with soil to prepare them for transplanted seedlings. Photo: Lenna Pettersson