MBCA News

E-Blast February 14, 2017

Posted by · February 14, 2017 7:57 PM

Return Eagle Mountain lands to JTNP
Stop 2,220 home development - Mission Creek
Black Rock Symposium: "How to Make Your Voice Heard on Conservation Issues in an Uncertain Political Climate."
UCR Conference: Solar Energy Directions for Inland Southern California: Where is it going?
Renewable energy Moratorium request - San Bernardino Co.
Ruth Denison Environmental Conservation Scholarship
Refreshed and renewed website - mbconservation.org

First of all, I want to remind you of several deadlines and events in coming days:

1) Return Eagle Mountain Lands to JTNP

WHEN: Comment letters due February 16, 2017 – this Thursday!

Support returning BLM Eagle Mountain lands back to Joshua Tree National Park. Take a minute to express your support to BLM for the Final Boundary Study recommendation to add approximately 20,000 acres of federal, state, and private lands to the boundary of Joshua Tree National Park that were withdrawn from the Monument in 1950. Click here for background info from JTNP Superintendent David Smith.

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Cadiz, Inc. Project Commentary

Posted by · February 14, 2017 2:59 PM

While MBCA and many other conservation advocates have spoken against the Cadiz Valley Water Conservation, Recovery and Storage Project, KCET recently published a commentary from Cadiz, Inc. in response to project criticisms.

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2017 Annual Meeting & Water Symposium Report

Posted by · January 30, 2017 1:14 PM

At MBCA's 48th Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 28, members and supporters of MBCA heard a brief summary of MBCA's 2016 accomplishments and challenges, followed by an inspiring story of teaching high school students to appreciate the natural environment, ending with an information-rich panel presentation by local water officials.

Invasive saharan mustard decorates the MBCA information table.

President Sarah Kennington opened the meeting with a summary of MBCA's 2016 actions and ongoing activities, then thanked and honored MBCA's steadfast volunteers, beginning with Volunteer Coordinator Cathy Zarakov, who was presented with an orchid. As a small token of thanks, potted cactus plants were presented to our website guru Nora Lousignant and a group of frequent volunteers: LynAnne Felts, Pat Freter, Betsy Goza, Kathleen Lowndes, Norma Mackie, and Ann Murdy. Their welcome efforts in making our meetings and events run smoothly are greatly appreciated!

The Ruth Denison Environmental Conservation Scholarship was announced. The audience was encouraged to share the scholarship information with others to encourage current Morongo Basin high school seniors who are considering a career related to conservation or environmental work to apply.

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Eagle Mountain Meeting Follow-Up

Posted by · January 19, 2017 3:48 PM

A number of MBCA members and supporters attended the January 18 meeting in Palm Desert in support of the process of transferring Eagle Mountain area lands back to Joshua Tree National Park.

Board member Seth Shteir, left, and President Sarah Kennington, extreme right

Please consider writing a supporting comment letter by February 16, 2017. Go to our Call to Action page for more details.

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E-Blast: January 15, 2017

Posted by · January 15, 2017 7:33 PM

MBCA Annual Meeting and Water Symposium – Jan. 28, 2017
Return Eagle Mountain Lands to JTNP
Stop 2,220 home development - Mission Creek
Apple Valley’s Habitat Conservation Plan
Renewable Energy News – CA.’s RE Transmission Initiative

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Supporting our National Park

Posted by · January 10, 2017 8:08 PM

In support of our treasured Joshua Tree National Park, MBCA has sent a letter to Senator Feinstein and Congressman Cook encouraging them to fund the backlog of maintenance needs across the National Park Service locations. The letter points out the direct link between a healthy National Park and a healthy local economy.

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New Comment on California's Renewable Energy Planning

Posted by · January 10, 2017 7:57 PM

MBCA continues to keep an eye on California's Renewable Energy planning process. In this letter crafted by our Board member Pat Flanagan, MBCA comments on concerns with the current planning process that, among other things, overlooks the extent of dust pollution created by excessive large-scale renewable energy projects.

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Cadiz Water Project Commentary

Posted by · January 09, 2017 2:59 PM

Published on the KCET Redefine blog, Joshua Tree resident Sant Khalsa's commentary, "Opinion: Water Project Would Hurt New National Monument" provides background and details on the current status of the ill-conceived Project.

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National Park Proposed Land Transfer

Posted by · December 16, 2016 11:28 AM

The Department of the Interior recently announced the latest step in the process of adding about 20,000 acres to Joshua Tree National Park. The "Eagle Mountain Boundary Study" began about two years ago and the current action moves another step toward final action.

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Joshua Basin Water District Receives Award

Posted by · December 03, 2016 2:54 PM

The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) presented its Huell Howser Best in Blue Award to the Joshua Basin Water District on December 1, 2016, for its innovative outreach program encouraging the public to plant water-saving native plants.

Among its outreach efforts, JBWD created a water wise demonstration garden that is valuable for Morongo Basin residents to see mature plants arranged in a variety of desert garden arrangements. JBWD has been a supporter of MBCA's Desert-Wise Living Series and we are pleased to see their outreach efforts honored.