“California Desert Breathes Easier: 6,000 Acres Shielded from Threats in 2025”

In 2025, the Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) made significant strides in conservation by protecting over 6,000 acres of the California desert, the largest intact ecosystem in the contiguous United States. The Trust’s efforts focused on preserving the diverse landscapes of the desert, which include dunes, mountains, and historic mining sites. The Trust also undertook the cleanup and restoration of national parks, wilderness, and wildlife habitats, including the removal of a hazardous illegal cannabis grow structure and a scenic viewshed affected by dumping.

The Trust acquired nearly 1,000 acres in the West Mojave, a region crucial for the endangered desert tortoise. An 80-acre parcel previously used for illegal cannabis cultivation posed a significant threat to wildlife, with dangerous poles and ripped plastic scattered across the landscape. In another 126-acre parcel, hazardous items and windblown trash have contaminated the soil and disrupted the ecosystem. The Trust is committed to cleaning up these areas and restoring them to their natural state.

The MDLT also protected a 640-acre parcel at the entrance to Mojave Trails National Monument, which was previously marred by graffiti, trash dumping, and habitat degradation. The Trust’s conservation work in 2025 also included the acquisition of privately-owned parcels from willing sellers to piece together national parks and national monuments. Among these acquisitions was an 800-acre parcel in Mojave National Preserve, marking the Trust’s largest single acquisition in this national park to date.

Further north in Death Valley National Park, 54 acres surrounding the historic Big Bell Mine have been protected, with the aim of eventually returning this spot to the National Park Service. In addition, 617 acres of federal wilderness along the eastern slope of the San Bernardino Mountains was protected within Sand to Snow National Monument. In Mojave Trails National Monument, a 153-acre acquisition preserves part of the ancient volcanic fields of Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark.

The Trust’s efforts have not only conserved land but also promoted future wildlife connectivity. A 160-acre property near Joshua Tree National Park will bolster habitat for species including mule deer, bobcat, and mountain lion. Since 2006, the Trust has conserved 132,347 acres, reflecting its mission to protect and care for lands with natural, scenic, and cultural value within the Colorado and Mojave Deserts.