The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) is a 501(c)(3) public charity, founded in 2005. Our mission is to protect the Mojave Desert ecosystem and its scenic and cultural resource values.

The Land Trust consists of a Board of Directors, Advisory Board and three employees with an office based in Joshua Tree, CA.

• Land Conservation and Stewardship
• Education, Outreach and Communications
• Collaboration
• Funding
• Organizational Capabilities 

Nolina Peak: Future Secured

The Mojave Desert Land Trust
Celebrates the extraordinary efforts
of concerned citizens and generous donors

Nolina Peak Saved for future generations!

The Mojave Desert Land Trust chose the summer solstice to celebrate the final phases of the Nolina Peak project. Acquisition of the Peak, which is on the Joshua Tree border with Yucca Valley, marked a major milestone in the Land Trust’s mission and an important victory for the entire Morongo Basin.

Immediately after its creation in 2005, The Mojave Desert Land Trust was challenged to develop a major campaign to purchase over 600 acres bordering Joshua Tree National Park. This was identified as a critical open space buffer between Joshua Tree and the park, and became an important objective to the Land Trust. The intent was to acquire this critical land and donate it to the National Park Service.

The entire Morongo Basin, neighboring communities and a large land conservation foundation responded, and in May 2007 escrow closed and Nolina Peak, named by the Land Trust, became a major community symbol and regional triumph. The mountain was put on a fast-track program to transfer into Joshua Tree National Park and today, June 2008, this process is nearing completion. Within the next few months Nolina Peak will become part of Joshua Tree National Park forever.

To mark and celebrate the completion of this groundbreaking program, and to honor the extraordinary support and involvement from our community, The Mojave Desert Land Trust conducted a solemn and moving ceremony, high on the mountain Saturday, June 21.

Late in the afternoon the threads of flute music, played by Ernest Siva, a Serrano Elder, drew us together as he blessed the ceremony. Into an olla or pahot (Serrano), a hand-crafted clay vessel created by Tony Soares in the traditional method, the participants placed:

	·		the names of charter members and donors,
	·		a coin to date the sealing and placement,
	·		hand-collected native seeds and plant clippings, representative tokens of the signature food plants, healing plants, and spiritual plants from this peak, offered by Robin Kobaly and
	·		other tokens from the attendees.

Each item represented some element of the history, nature, and legacy of the mountain. The pahot was sealed and buried.

The Land Trust then hosted a party at the Black Rock Campground Visitor Center. There was a short program featuring Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent Curt Sauer, a Land Trust media presentation, and a program by photographer David McChesney entitled “What we are saving.” This was an inspiring plant and wildlife slide presentation accompanied by a live performance, with harmonica and voice, of an original song by Mr. McChesney.

It was a bitter-sweet celebration for some who had given of their time and resource to make it happen and who, on this evening, could let go and take comfort in knowing that Nolina Peak would be safe in the care of Joshua Tree National Park. Susan Parker Chapman, the previous owner of the property, captured the moment for many attending, in her letter, read by Pat Flanagan of The Land Trust. She said:

 “Here, thanks to the Mojave Desert Land Trust, is a place where the rare and beautiful Nolina Plant may prosper, bloom, and propagate, undisturbed by the all too often uncaring and heavy footprint of mankind. Here may the Nolina, with her brother and sister creatures, thrive, unfurling her golden loveliness in the fragile beauty of these untrammeled spaces. Here may they all prevail, in nurturing quietude, until time itself kneels to the greater cosmic rhythm.”

Susan Parker Chapman, 2008

For more information on Nolina Peak and this project, visit http://www.mojavedesertlandtrust.org/nolina.html or contact Pat Flanagan at The Mojave Desert Land Trust, pat@mojavedesertlandtrust.org or call 760-366-5440.

Curt Sauer (Superintendent, Joshua Tree National Park) and Ernest Siva (Serrano Elder) addressing the attendees as the pahot is being filled.
photo by David S. Miller

Ernest Siva opening the ceremony with his hand-made flute.
photo by David S. Miller

Tony Soares discussing his ancient art of making the pahot or olla.
photo by David S. Miller

Defenders of Wildlife and The Mojave Desert Land Trust
are proud to announce the long-awaited release of
Climate Change and the California Deserts
A 2-disk DVD/CD Encyclopedia

With the effects of climate change at our door, understanding the science and uncertainties is important in guiding community planning and management. Climate Change and the California Deserts Conference was the first of its kind to deal specifically with the effects of climate change on the California Deserts and desert communities.

Now, after two months of preparation and information gathering, a 2-disk DVD/CD information and research tool is complete. This multimedia encyclopedia features three professionals with valuable insights into desert conservation, water management and sustainable development in the face of climate change. It is a change that is predicted to affect desert communities more acutely than other areas in the United States. Our speakers demystify some key topics central to this debate from very different viewpoints:

With nearly three-hours of video on the DVD and a CD with over eighty files, links, and photos relating to wildlife, climate change in California and in general, this new 2-disk release is one of the most complete data sets yet assembled on this topic for the public.

We recommend that local, regional and civic planners, governmental representatives and decision makers as well as desert community residents take the time to learn from this encyclopedia of
Climate Change and the California Deserts.

To order your copy of this Multimedia Encyclopedia please send a check for $24.95,
plus $4.60 for shipping and handling to:
Climate Change DVD Set
The Mojave Desert Land Trust
6393 Sunset Rd., Suite 211
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Or visit us at our offices, Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm,
and avoid the shipping costs.

If you attended the Conference, and signed in, you can purchase the complete set for only $18.00
Shipping and handling costs will apply unless you prefer to pick up your copy at our offices.
Group and quantity discounts available.

All proceeds from the sale of this Set go to assist MDLT with its mission to “Keep the Mojave … Desert.” The Mojave Desert Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, all contributions are tax deductible.

Check out our Special Events and Volunteer Opportunities!

Volunteer Land Stewards needed

All Graduate Land Stewards, their guests and any interested volunteers are welcome.

Please RSVP to Dave Miller at The Land Trust
dave@mojavedesertlandtrust.org

Thank You!

Nolina Peak Protected Forever

Stop the Towers Hootenanny archive

Climate Change Conference archive

Sojourner / Lang readings archive

Benefit Brunch with Huell Howser update

Perseid Meteor Shower event update