MBCA Calendar of Events

Plant Spotlight: Ocotillo

Photo by Chris Hunkeler from Carlsbad, California, USA, <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons Ocotillo is a native plant that creates structure and height in our Morongo Basin landscapes. Ocotillo means "little torch" in Spanish, probably inspired by the orange red flowers at the plant's tips. The plant can grow up to 15 feet tall and wide. It prefers full sun and likes our heat. Fouquieria splendens, or ocotillo, for much of the...

MBCA Awards 3 Scholarships for 2022-23

The Morongo Basin Conservation Association scholarships go to local standout students with demonstrated commitments to include conservation or environmental interests in their education and career plans. Each $1,000 scholarship goes toward higher education expenses in the 2022-23 academic year.The three recipients, all graduating seniors at Yucca Valley High School, include Griffin Hilderbrand, Aidan Parmley, and Aunalisa Terreri.This is the first year MBCA has awarded three scholarships. A science, technology, engineering, arts...

MBCA Participates in Solar Rights Rally

MBCA President Steve Bardwell (l) and Director Arch McCulloch (r) participated in the Solar Rights Rally held in Cathedral City on July 20. They are pictured here with Solar Rights Alliance Executive Director Dave Rosenfeld. The rally was one in a statewide series to "sound the alarm about the utilities' solar tax and call on Governor Gavin Newsom to keep solar affordable for middle- and working-class families."Around 50 people participated...

Eblast July 20, 2022

Desert Wise Virtual Landscape videos released Planning Commission to vote on Housing Element Industrial Scale Renewable Energy Threats to the Desert

Letter: MBCA Comments June 2022 San Bernardino County Draft Housing Element

Letter: MBCA on Alta Loma and Sunset Housing Project

Position: MBCA's Statement on Short-Term Rentals

Letter: Sienna Solar Project

MBCA Comments to County on Revised Housing Element

San Bernardino County's June draft version of their state-required Housing Element contained some changes in direct response to the outpouring of public concerns about excessive Short Term Rentals in unincorporated Desert and Mountain areas of the County. MBCA has scrutinized the latest draft and sent a detailed comment letter thanking the County for some useful changes and pointing out the need for additional revisions. For a history of the ongoing...