2023 Desert Wise Living Landscape Tour

Register now for our 13^th annual Desert Wise Living Landscape Tour. Seven Morongo Basin landscapes will be open for in-person visits during this year’s event scheduled for Sunday, April 23, from 9:00 to 4:00. After attending the tour, share your experiences and inspirations to become eligible for gift certificates from local businesses. This year we have expanded the opportunity for expression of inspirations to include two-dimensional artwork as well as written essays or poetry. Tour participants will receive more details about the “Inspiration Contest” shortly after the Tour. Our 2022 essay contest winners can be found here.

On Friday, April 14, in celebration of the upcoming Dark Sky Week, the Friends of Wonder Valley and MBCA are hosting “Dark Skies and Wonder Valley: A Community Event”. There will be presentations on protecting our dark skies through appropriate lighting that complies with the new Light Trespass Ordinance; how Wonder Valley might become a Dark Sky Community; and a tour of the night sky led by local astronomers. Live music and light refreshments will be served.

When:
Friday, April 14, 2023 - 7:30 - 9:00

Where:
The Wonder Valley Community Center
80526 Amboy Road, Wonder Valley, CA

Both of these controversial projects failed to receive approval from the County Planning Commission and have each been appealed by the developers to the Board of Supervisors. The hearing dates for consideration by the board have not been set. It is unclear if the procedure for re-consideration will allow time for public review of any changes to the developments beyond the required public notice of the Board agenda. MBCA believes sufficient time must be provided for public review and comment prior to consideration by the board, especially if the scope of either project has changed to any significant degree.

These two projects are within the RL zone district and highlight the need for revision to the uses allowed within the rural living areas. MBCA supports the reconsideration of allowed uses within the RL zone as described in this letter by the Lucerne Valley Economic Development Agency and the Homestead Valley Community Council.

MBCA is engaged, and advocating for the health of our desert environment. Please join us! Thank you!