The California Fish and Game Commission delayed the decision again today over whether to grant state protection to the western Joshua tree. The petition to protect the plant under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) was submitted in 2019. If it is listed, it would be the first species to earn protection in the state because of climate change. But the process has been contentious. And even when the decision is made, the fate of the plant is far from sealed.

The California Fish and Game Commission delayed the decision again today over whether to grant state protection to the western Joshua tree. The petition to protect the plant under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) was submitted in 2019. If it is listed, it would be the first species to earn protection in the state because of climate change. But the process has been contentious. And even when the decision is made, the fate of the plant is far from sealed.

You’ll see it just east of Yucca Valley, along the busy Twentynine Palms Highway, a mysterious sign with four huge red letters — MDLT — underlined by a fat arrow pointing north. It’s only when you’re closer to the sign that you‘ll see the illustration of a multi-limbed Joshua tree arcing against a bright blue sky, signaling that you’ve arrived at the sandy-colored headquarters of the Mojave Desert Land Trust. You’ll need these directions, and an early wakeup call, if you plan to attend the Land Trust’s biannual native plant sale on Oct. 8, which features solely plants that grow in the high and low lands of the Mojave Desert. The sale is short — from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. — but eager buyers start lining up before 8 a.m., said Director of Communications Jessica Dacey, “and when we open the doors, they run.”

Thursday marked the first day of Autumn – bringing some cooler weather and encouraging many to get back outside to explore the deserts that surround us. If you are looking for something to take along on your next hike – the Autumn 2022 edition of Cholla Needles: Young Writers and Artists magazine has been released. Over 100 young artists and writers based in the California Desert are published in the Autumn edition – and the pages contains moving poetry and artwork that provide insights into growing up and living in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts.

The Mojave Desert Land Trust released their 2021 Annual Report and announced some impressive numbers when it comes to desert conservation.

According to their recently released annual report – the non-profit organization added over 4,000 acres to its land trust – reaching a 100,000 acre milestone of ecologically significant – and protected – California desert.

But numerous other speakers argued the state has no time to waste in listing the species as threatened as the state faces warmer temperatures and more extreme droughts and fires, all of which can hurt the trees. Kelly Herbinson, executive director of the Mojave Desert Land Trust, said Joshua trees are a “keystone” species of the desert, with other species reliant on its survival. “Climate change is a threat we haven’t had to deal with yet and I get that we’re struggling to figure out the best path forward, but it’s happening and it’s happening now,” she told the commission.