Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/807408
Whitewater Preserve. Individuals and families with kids 10 and older who are interested in volunteering are encouraged to call the main o ce ahead of time to nd out about joining events or arrange for custom volunteer work projects. Restoration of con- servancy lands and removal of invasive plant species such as wild mustard, fountain grass, and tree tobacco are ongoing priorities. " ere are always things to do for volunteers," said Jack omp- son, Desert Regional Director. " ere is a great draw from the citizens of Los Angeles to the desert right now. Getting involved with conservation organizations broadens volunteers' views of threats the desert faces and helps them learn how they can make a di erence." Mojave Desert Land Trust e mission of the Mojave Desert Land Trust is to protect the Mojave Desert ecosystem and its scenic and cultural resources through land acquisition and stewardship, awareness and discov- ery, and protecting conservation investments. Recently, the trust gave 3,000 acres of formerly private lands it had purchased within the Mojave National Preserve boundaries to the preserve in or- der to protect the ecosystem. To date, MDLT has protected over 60,000 acres of high-priority desert habitat. To build awareness of California's new desert monuments, the trust just partnered with the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council and the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce to o er a set of four national monument patches that girl scouts can earn by visiting the monuments or par- ticipating in other activities. Visitors to the Morongo Basin are encouraged to take advan- tage of hands-on learning and volunteer opportunities with the trust. Activities for visitors can range from maintenance of the native plant nursery to day or overnight stewardship and monitor- ing trips to land parcels. "Working with your hands in wide open, gorgeous landscapes brings a feeling of accomplishment, serenity, and belonging among people who are as passionate as you are," said Missy Boyd, Education and Outreach Coordinator. " ere is a community feeling as each volunteer brings their own education and life experiences to the table." To volunteer with the trust, visit their website, www.mdlt.org, click "get involved," and then select "sign up" under the "Become a Volunteer" paragraph to ll out a volunteer interest pro le. Adam Henny, Volunteer Coordinator, will then contact you. Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park is the region's North Star, the de ning physical, spiritual, and economic driver for the Morongo Basin. Spanning nearly 800,000 acres, the park attracted nearly 2.5 million visitors in 2016, a record for the park. Due to training and liability requirements, the only conservation volunteering option available for visitors to the park is National Public Lands Day, which will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2017. To sign up to partic- ipate in family-friendly vegetation projects within the park, email Ranger and spokesperson George Land at george_land@nps.gov. So plan a trip, play, and immerse yourself in a conservation ex- perience. e desert will pay you back. " e desert is fragile place," said ompson. "Without advocates, it wouldn't have the kind of character it has to deepen people's lives." Combining a Joshua Tree vacation with conservation volunteerism High-Desert Rehab for the Soul Photos: Courtesy of Mojave Desert Land Trust april/may 2017 31