Joshua Trees: Will They Survive
Short Documentary
This ancient species is facing new threats from Climate Change, Wildfires and Deforestation of their desert habitat. This slow growing species is declining faster than it can adapt to these deadly threats.
Coming in 2026
Bobby created an amazing space in the middle of the desert - for one reason - to bring together the community of Joshua Tree. His space,"Furst Wurld", showcases local artists, musicians, filmmakers, photographers and community groups.
Furst Wurld has become famous as an underground venue. You will see lots of Furst Wurld in our documentary. Thanks Bobby!
Joshua Tress are only located in the Mojave Desert - and primarily between 3000-5000 ft elevation. That’s it!
Believe it or not, some high-desert communities believe that it is more important to build outdoor patios, than to save 200 year old Joshua Trees. Yep. Yucca Valley is located next to the Joshua Tree National Park - and they are “pro” development - which means that they are driven by tax revenue. Their board of directors consists primarily of realtors and developers - so it’s no wonder that they don’t care about Joshua Trees.
The town council of Yucca Valley voted unanimously ‘against’ the proposition to designate Joshua Trees as threatened. Their priorities are clear.
Why does Yucca Valley matter?
It matters because Yucca Valley is located at 4000 ft elevation (prime Joshua Tree habitat). Yucca Valley has some of the largest old-growth Joshua Tree fields “in the world” - but the town is more interested in development.
The issue here is that Joshua Trees cannot be ‘transplanted” (or moved) when new development comes in. The result is that fields of Joshua Trees are cut down (killed) in order to make way for strip malls, housing developments and Super Walmarts.
In comparison, the town of Joshua Tree is located below 3000 ft elevation - so there are relatively few Joshua Trees in town.
Yucca Valley’s official stance is that “It’s not our problem” - They claim that other groups, like “Mojave Desert Land Trust”, can protect the Joshua Trees. What????
More to follow!
Casey
Joshua Tree on Film
“The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the California Fish and Game Commission today to protect western Joshua trees under the California Endangered Species Act. The trees are threatened by climate change and habitat destruction from urban sprawl and other development in their Mojave Desert home.”
We are at a critical juncture for the western Joshua tree. It may seem impossible to imagine the southern California desert without its signature Joshua tree forests, but without adequate protective measures to address impending threats, it’s a very likely scenario.
Below is information about the threats facing the western Joshua tree and how you can help..
Please let all of these people know that you want our Joshua Trees protected!
You can send an email to all of the people below - Just click the links!
Mr. Eric Sklar
President California Fish and Wildlife Commission
P.O. Box 944209 Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
via EMAIL to: click this link—-> fgc@fgc.ca.gov
cc: Department of Fish and Wildlife
Chad Dibble Deputy Director Ecosystem Conservation Division
click this link—-> Chad.Dibble@wildlife.ca.gov
Stafford Lehr Deputy Director Wildlife and Fisheries Division
click this link—->Stafford.Lehr@wildlife.ca.gov
Wendy Bogdan
General Counsel Office of the General Counsel
click this link—->Wendy.Bogdan@wildlife.ca.gov
Isabel Baer
Native Plant Program Manager Habitat Conservation Planning Branch
click this link—->Isabel.Baer@wildlife.ca.gov
Here are some talking points you can consider including in your message:
This important species is under a barrage of threats, including climate change impacts, wildfire risk, and large-scale development projects. Four published studies have concluded that without intervention, climate change alone creates a high risk of losing western Joshua tree habitat almost entirely.
The presence of the western Joshua tree benefits our economy. Its iconic presence attracts people to visit, live and work in the high desert. Its protection will encourage responsible development, preventing urban sprawl and overcrowding, increase property values, and preserve the rural quality of life which attracts people to our area.
While some protection is provided by local ordinances, these are inadequate to respond to the multitude of threats that could lead to its disappearance. Not all Joshua trees are within National Park and National Monument boundaries. In fact, 40% of Joshua tree habitat is on private land, where it has only modest protection at best. · We are at a critical juncture for the western Joshua tree. A collection of scientific studies predict the widespread decline of this iconic endemic species.
Joshua trees don’t grow anywhere else on Earth. They attract visitors and new residents which, in turn, support our economy. In 2018, visitors to the National Park created an economic benefit of nearly $196 million both within the Park and its vicinity — that’s almost double the expenditure in 2014. For the local communities adjacent to the Park, 1,823 jobs were related to visitation.
Attracted by the area’s scenic beauty and Joshua trees, the real estate market in the Joshua Tree region has steadily increased. New residents generally are not seeking a home in densely developed areas such as a subdivision, but instead are looking for a more rural lifestyle, ideally with proximity to the National Park, and Joshua trees are a very desirable feature.
We recognize that the rapid growth of our communities and the dramatic increase in visitation at the National Park has resulted in its own issues such as traffic. These issues need to be addressed, but protection of the Joshua tree will help, not hurt our communities. Its listing will encourage local governments to develop a regional approach to conservation through a Natural Communities Conservation Plan. These plans focus on the conservation of large undeveloped areas, while encouraging new development on vacant land in already developed areas. This helps prevent sprawl and overdevelopment.
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