Mojave Desert Land Trust declares sweeping conservation victory for California desert in 2023 annual report.
The nonprofit’s report also outlines bold actions to protect two of the California desert’s most iconic species in the coming years. Here are the wins for land trusts in 2023.
protection wins
- The Mojave Desert Land Trust permanently protected 6,385 acres of ecologically important habitat, removed tons of trash, collected 52 new seeds, planted more than 15,000 native plants for the Salton Sea Restoration Project and contributed to Educational programs were delivered to nearly 1,000 young people.
- To support public lands, in 2023, 2,458 acres in the Old Woman Mountain Wilderness Area and Mojave Trails National Monument were transferred to the Bureau of Land Management. To federal agencies will be included in national parks, monuments and federal wilderness. The Land Trust has also transferred more land to the National Park Service than any nonprofit organization since 2006.
- The land trust currently manages more than 60,000 acres in the California desert. As part of ongoing management needs last year, crews removed nearly 7 tons of trash, including tires and household waste, installed more than 320 feet of fencing and conducted eight wildlife surveys.
- In plant conservation, the Land Trust partnered with the California Botanic Gardens and the California Department of Water Resources to plant more than 15,000 native plants for a major restoration project to restore the Salton Sea’s retreating shoreline. In addition, they held the largest ever community native plant sale, selling 3,857 plants representing more than 65 species. Since 2016, the Land Trust has planted more than 120,000 native plants.
- The Mojave Desert Seed Bank received a $3.19 million grant from the California Wildlife Conservation Commission to allow staff to collect, process and store more seeds at a time when the West lacks enough seeds for restoration. The Mojave Desert Seed Vault added 52 new species in 2023, including the special status Death Valley Sand Mat (Euphorbia vallis-mortae). The seed bank has more than 700 collections representing more than 200 taxa.
Look forward and save the turtles
The 2023 Annual Report takes a closer look at multiple initiatives that will define the Land Trust’s work over the next decade.
Executive Director Kelly Herbinson said the goal in 2023 is due to impacts on two of the desert’s most iconic species: the western Joshua tree and the Mojave desert tortoise. took on new meaning and urgency.in the years to come [Mojave Desert Land Trust] will play a key role in the conservation of both species. The challenges facing these two keystone species are symptoms of dual overall threats to climate disruption and habitat loss in California’s deserts.
The report showcases several key partners forming the Joshua Tree Conservation Alliance, a new regional agency that will work to ensure timely, measurable conservation action is taken to protect the species.
To save critical desert tortoise habitat, the Land Trust is coordinating a three-year project to restore one of the state’s worst-hit areas for the reptile, which is expected to be listed as endangered in April. .
mojave desert land trust
The mission of the Mojave Desert Land Trust is to protect and care for lands of natural, scenic and cultural value within Colorado and the Mojave Desert.
Since its founding in 2006, the land trust has protected more than 120,000 acres and transferred more land to the National Park Service than any other nonprofit organization, according to the land trust.
The land trust established a conservation seed bank to ensure the protection of native species and operates an on-site nursery at its Joshua Tree headquarters that grows more than 120,000 native plants for use in restoration projects and community landscaping.
The Land Trust also educates and advocates for desert conservation.
We are here to ensure this ecosystem remains connected to support the wildlife and people who rely on it every day. We can’t do this work without the support of the community,” Herbinson said. “If we work together, we can make a difference.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz can be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
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