After several years of debate and temporary protection status in California, enactment of the state's budget agreement now provides the Western Joshua tree with permanent protection. A Press Release from the Center for Biological Diversity, which initiated the effort via a petition in 2020, provides history and current status details. Additional coverage of the issue, significant for the Morongo Basin, can by found at local radio station KCDZ-fm, the Hi Desert Star, and the Desert Sun. The section on Joshua trees is item #2 in the trailer bill, SB 122.

With 100 other non-profit conservation-related organizations, MBCA signed a letter to entreat Governor Newsom and 15 state legislators on the Senate and Assembly budget committees to eliminate from the budget a number of infrastructure trailer bills that should be enacted through the legislative process instead. The 8 trailer bills cited would, if enacted through the budget, eliminate public input and considered evaluation for "important and complicated policies." 

In an outcome not entirely unexpected, the California Fish and Game Commission today chose to delay the decision on whether listing the Western Joshua tree as an endangered species under the California Endangered Species Act is warranted. Today's meeting focused on additional tribal input, which will continue, while general public comment is closed. Much of the concern comes with how the restrictions will be implemented as relates to development, and the idea of more widespread conservation planning is another issue being considered. The item will next be on the agenda at the Commission's February 8-9, 2023 meeting. Here is the story in more detail as reported by the Desert Sun and here is a short summary by local radio station KCDZ.