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Mojave Desert, Mojave Desert Land Trust


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“Joshua Tree National Park supports the acquisition of lands external to the park boundary in the area of the La Contenta drainage to aid in the protection of park resources and ecosystems.  The areas of question are highly valued for their wildlife habitats, ecological corridors and for protecting the continuity of the view shed east of the La Contenta drainage.”

-Mark Butler, Superintendent, Joshua Tree National Park

Section 33

“This unique partnership will help protect Section 33, Joshua Tree in perpetuity and maintain the dramatic, natural landscape at the “Gateway” to Joshua Tree National Park for its more than 1.3 million visitors.  Moreover, the ecological resources of this high desert habitat will be forever protected for the surprising variety of plants and animals that make this extreme and beautiful area their home.”

- Jean Fuller, CA State Senator, 18th District

Partners and Supporters of The Linkage Campaign:

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center
The Trust for Public Land
Mojave Desert Land Trust
Joshua Tree National Park
State Senator Jean Fuller
County Supervisor Neil Derry
Morongo Basin Open Space Group
Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce
Center for Biological Diversity

 

 

 
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Photos © Julianne Koza and Drew Reese

The Wildlife Linkage Campaign

The preservation of important desert ecosystems is at the heart of our newest and most ambitious campaign: The Linkage Campaign.  Several undeveloped parcels are situated along the La Contenta drainage within the Joshua Tree North Wildlife Linkage that connects Joshua Tree National Park to the Bartlett Mountains and 29 Palms Marine Base to the north.  Click here to view a map.

About The Linkage Campaign

Acquisition of parcels within the Joshua Tree North Wildlife Linkage is significant for several reasons:

  • They contain pristine wildlife habitat, critical watersheds, and tens of thousands of Joshua Trees.  
  • Their acquisition will help preserve desert night skies.
  • The Joshua Tree North Wildlife Linkage is a critical corridor for animals such as desert tortoise, bobcat, golden eagle, fox and prairie falcons.  Movement through the corridor is essential to their survival, allowing them to forage, mate, migrate, and disperse offspring to new home ranges.  
  • The area is threatened by commercial and dense residential developments, dumping and OHV activity. 
  • They act as a natural buffer between the towns of Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree, and provide a viewshed that defines the character of Joshua Tree National Park. 

Our Commitment

To date, Mojave Desert Land Trust, along with our members and conservation partners, has invested $2.8 million to acquire 2,126 acres within this wildlife corridor. 

The funding required to preserve Section 33 (624 acres) within this corridor is $1,750,000

Land Acquisition $1,560,000
Due Diligence $35,000
Land Restoration $50,000
Campaign $45,000
Land Management  $60,000

We have an opportunity to preserve lands that the 29 Palms Marine Base, County of San Bernardino, Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce, Center for Biological Diversity, and others have agreed are worthy of conservation.  To succeed in protecting this linkage, we need to act fast! 

Your donation is needed to preserve this important wildlife corridor and our quality of life in the Mojave Desert!  Your gift will preserve important wildlife habitat and set the course for The Linkage Campaign.

Donate

3 What our partners and supporters say about The Wildlife Linkage Campaign

2 Joshua Tree North Wildlife Linkage Map

1 List of Species identified within the Joshua Tree North Linkage

1 Media Articles:

Painting © Diane Best
Landscape painting of the great Mojave Desert by Diane Best.

© 2012 Mojave Desert Land Trust. 61732 Twentynine Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree, CA 92252 • (760) 366-5440 • Fax (888) 869-4981 • info@mojavedesertlandtrust.org
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