Even when humans try to help foster regrowth of burned or damaged #JoshuaTrees, it’s a long, fraught process, said Ashley Hemmers, a tribal administrator for the #FortMojaveTribe, whose ancestors have lived for centuries in the region.

Wildfire in Mojave Desert destroys iconic Joshua trees

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4NyliB4FPA&ab_channel=Reuters

A fierce wildfire has ripped through California’s Mojave Desert, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The fire has claimed over 80,000 acres, including parts of Caruthers Canyon, known for its diverse ecosystem.

#mojave #desert #wildfire #joshuatrees #ecosystem #climate

Laughing bitterly as NPR first describes the #JoshuaTrees burning in the York Fire as "endangered", then gets around to clarifying that they're the eastern species, which no one has designated as endangered

https://www.npr.org/2023/08/02/1191519756/wildfire-burning-through-the-mojave-desert-threatens-joshua-trees

Laughing bitterly as NPR first describes the #JoshuaTrees burning in the York Fire as "endangered", then gets around to clarifying that they're the eastern species, which was explicitly excluded from protection by the state of California

https://www.npr.org/2023/08/02/1191519756/wildfire-burning-through-the-mojave-desert-threatens-joshua-trees

Three years after we lost a million #JoshuaTrees in the Dome Fire at Mojave National Preserve, the York Fire is even bigger, and crossing into Nevada

https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/fire-tornadoes-spawn-as-blaze-spreads-largest-joshua-tree-in-nevada-could-be-in-its-path/

Climate change and development -- especially the construction of large solar farms in the high desert -- has put the genetically distinct western population of Joshua trees under extreme pressure. Despite this, the federal government has not yet given them protection under the Endangered Species Act. However, a new California law will give these iconic plants some breathing room.

#JoshuaTrees #California #botany #EndangeredSpecies #MojaveDesert

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/28/california-protect-joshua-trees-conservation?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

For today's news, here's a loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) on western Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) at Saddleback Butte State Park this spring

#bird #wildlife #JoshuaTrees #California #desert

https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/2023/06/27/joshua-trees-win-permanent-protection-through-new-california-law/70363246007/

Joshua trees win permanent protection through California budget trailer bill

#JoshuaTrees #California #conservation #plants

https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/2023/06/27/joshua-trees-win-permanent-protection-through-new-california-law/70363246007/

Spent the weekend in the desert hunting for fossils. Found some too! Everything was blooming - it was honestly amazing. Also found some scorpions. #fossils #JoshuaTrees #scorpion #flowers #SuperBloom

2 new #NationalMonuments being established in #Nevada & #Texas & a #MarineSanctuary in U.S.💦 near Hawaii.

Nevada site, near border of #California & #Arizona, considered sacred to #NativeAmericans & spans > 500,000 acres, includes #SpiritMountain, home to #BighornSheep, #DesertTortoises & a large concentration of #JoshuaTrees, some of which are more than 900 years old. Thank you President Biden!

#Wildlife
#Nature

https://apnews.com/article/biden-avi-kwa-ame-nevada-conservation-willow-7378dadd793195bcedcc8562241cf54f

2 new #NationalMonuments being established in #Nevada & #Texas & a #MarineSanctuary in U.S.💦 near Hawaii.

Nevada site, near border of #California & #Arizona, considered sacred to #NativeAmericans & spans > 500,000 acres, includes #SpiritMountain, home to #BighornSheep, #DesertTortoises & a large concentration of #JoshuaTrees, some of which are more than 900 years old. Thank you President Biden!

#Wildlife
#Nature

https://apnews.com/article/biden-avi-kwa-ame-nevada-conservation-willow-7378dadd793195bcedcc8562241cf54f

Second review finds #JoshuaTrees do not require protection under the Endangered Species Act https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2023-03/second-review-finds-joshua-trees-do-not-require-protection-under-endangered

Not surprising, honestly. I provided scientific review for a draft of the recommendation, and I think the new assessment does make a good case that although threats to Joshua tree are very real, there's good odds they'll hang on in at least some climate refugia.

New protections are needed, but the trees don't meet ESA standards for "threatened" yet.

For #ThickTrunkTuesday I thought I’d show a different type of tree. These are the #JoshuaTrees that give #JoshuaTreeNationalPark in Southern #California its name. These are essentially form of giant woody yucca (Yucca brevifolia) I took these photos in April 2019.

Hi, everyone! I'm Matt, and I am focused on developing #drone and #AI survey methods for wildlife and plants. I'm currently deep in the weeds with #tortoise surveys and #distancesampling, but I also am working with #saguaros, #joshuatrees, and #avianmortality.

Most of this work in in support of #renewableenergy development in the western United States.

South Florida has decided that it’s not Fall and that it is going to be rainy, humid, and damp, these past few days. Definitely missing the dry and crisp and clear light and air of the desert.
:
:
🗺- In #joshuatree, #California, you are on Newe land. #FindYourPark
📷- #sonyalpha #sonyalpha7riv, #shotwithhoya’s polarizer on a 70-300mm. ISO 100, f11, 1/125. Edited in #lightroom
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#joshuatree #joshuatreenationalpark #mojavedesert #mojave #joshuatrees #california #cali

Missing the desert an extra bit more today.

🗺- In Joshua Tree, California, you are on Newe (Western Shoshone) and Yuhaviatam/Maarenga’yam (Serrano) land. #FindYourPark
📷- #sonyalpha #sonyalpha7riv, #shotwithhoya’s polarizer on a 70-300mm. ISO 100, f11, 1/125. Edited in #lightroom

#joshuatree #joshuatreenationalpark #mojavedesert #mojave #joshuatrees #california

„[T]here have been incidents of new roads being created by motorists and the destruction of Joshua trees in recent days.”

There are really some strange and destructive people on this planet...

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/11/us/joshua-trees-cut-down.html?action=click&module=Latest&pgtype=Homepage

#shutdown #joshuatrees #nationalpark

#joshuatrees & big boulders in #joshuatree #nationalpark #california. A ranger said, “Joshua trees are having problems with climate change. They’re not reproducing much, because of the increased temps.”