Mojave Messages

Preserving a symbol of the desert

This post was originally published on this siteThe search for signs of life of desert tortoise on the Mojave Desert Land Trust’s properties. By Luke Basulto, Land Steward Imagine life four inches from the ground. (Photo: Luke Basulto/MDLT) You would see things from a very different perspective. From just four inches up you would only see what…

Wildlife cameras pinpoint movement of protected bighorn sheep

This post was originally published on this site Take a close look at the horns of this desert bighorn sheep. The rings are a sign of how old he is. This detailed image is from a wildlife camera in Mojave Trails National Monument. For the past few months, the Women in Science Discovering our Mojave…

Wildlife cameras provide close-ups of bighorn sheep

This post was originally published on this site By Elena Palacios, Women in Science Discovering Our Mojave intern Afton Canyon is known locally as the “Grand Canyon of the Mojave”. It not only has impressive geological formations, but it is one of the few places where the Mojave River flows above ground all year. Bighorn sheep…

The bighorn sheep is famously elusive. Interns hope to understand their movement

This post was originally published on this siteThe bighorn sheep is famously elusive. Interns hope to understand its movement Every few weeks, Alejandra Lopez leaves her home in Long Beach, CA to drive 3.5 hours to join an all-female research team collecting scientific data on the bighorn sheep in the Mojave Desert. By Alejandra Lopez, Intern for…

Desert plants — and the desert floor itself — are key fighters of climate change

This post was originally published on this siteDesert plants — and the desert floor itself — are key fighters of climate change The so-called ‘barren’ lands of the Mojave actually play an important role in keeping carbon out of the atmosphere. Creosote on Mojave Desert Land Trust property in Mojave Trails National Monument. Photo: Marinna Wagner/MDLT If you were to…

The women tracking bighorn sheep in the Mojave

This post was originally published on this siteInterns are leading a pilot project in Mojave Trails National Monument monitoring the protected species WISDOM interns (L-R) Elena, Abby, and Alejandra with BLM Natural Resource Specialist Lis Mota (second from right). Photo: Kyle Sullivan/BLM By Mary Cooke-Rhyne, Mojave Desert Land Trust Education Coordinator The temperature is around…

Seven hotspots for biological diversity, now protected

This post was originally published on this siteThe Mojave Desert Land Trust recently purchased 1,200 acres in the Sierra. These lands are home to seven springs and may be some of the most species-rich spots in Southern California. Welcome to Desert Springs. By Peter Satin, Director of Land Management MDLT Director of Land Management Peter Satin…

“I’m a ranger for a 680-acre parcel of gorgeous land”

This post was originally published on this sitePhoto: Jessica Dacey/MDLT By Chris Shinar, Mojave Desert Land Trust volunteer I moved here a few years ago to experience the natural beauty of the Mojave Desert… the wildlife, the Joshua trees and the scenery. When an opportunity to help preserve these beautiful lands appeared, I became a…

Here’s why you should become a volunteer ranger

This post was originally published on this siteThe Mojave Desert Land Trust manages 7,000 acres of pristine desert in the Morongo Basin. Community Lands Rangers are integral to helping protect those lands. Photo: Emmalyn Snead/MDLT By Peter Satin, Director of Land Management Those of us that have the good fortune to call the Morongo Basin home…