“This executive order directly threatens the health and well-being of the Mojave Desert and surrounding communities. Just over a year ago three new national monuments were established in the California desert, protecting the unique ecological and cultural heritage of the land, as well as giving surrounding communities an opportunity to benefit economically from increased tourism,” said Danielle Segura, Executive Director, MDLT.

Danielle Segura, executive director of the Mojave Desert Land Trust, said she worries that Southern California's Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow and Castle Mountain national monuments - all created in February 2016 - could be threatened. "And here at the Mojave Desert Land Trust, we fought hard to protect these desert lands, and we're prepared to fight against any latest attacks on them," she said. "These are public lands and they benefit our local community."

The deserts of Southern California intersect with the urban sprawl of its cities in ways that are both invisible and perceived in sharp relief. A place of seemingly endless horizons seeded with possibilities, the desert has long been a retreat and an important alter ego to Los Angeles’ own tarmac-and-concrete-bounded vistas.

As the public-at-large and environmental protection representatives to the Bureau of Land Management’s Desert Advisory Council, we balance and defend the interests of the California Desert’s diverse residents while protecting the land’s sensitive natural resources. To that end, we have a duty to voice our strong opposition to the Cadiz Water Project, a stance we share with several of our fellow advisory council members.

The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) recently received a grant to support its work with Outdoor Outreach to bring youth to Joshua Tree National Park for a weekend of camping and outdoor education.