The Special Districts Department of San Bernardino County is applying for a grant to install electric vehicle charging stations at the Joshua Tree Community Center. MBCA has submitted an enthusiastic letter of support for the project to Frank Haggard, Recreation Supervisor of the Special Districts, based in Joshua Tree.
The deadline for comments in support of the revised Light Trespass Ordinance for San Bernardino County is Friday, June 18. Send them to: [email protected]
We have revised our recent News item on this subject with new video footage. The presentation video (one hour) now includes post-presentation interaction of our presenters with the Commissioners, and we now have the full video of the meeting including timestamps for public comment via video from the Joshua Tree Government Center and for an oppositional presentation by a Newberry Springs resident. All these links and information are here.
A delightful native wildflower for Morongo Basin is the Mojave Aster (Xylorhiza tortifolia). Featuring pale purple daisy-like flowers, Mojave Aster blooms from March to May in our area. After flowering, it often dies back but will return the next year. It can also reseed and form new plants in your garden.
Several MBCA Directors were involved in creating and delivering a presentation to the San Bernardino County Planning Commission on behalf of the Third District Dark Skies Committee on May 27, 2021. This YouTube link contains the Committee's presentation, including some Q&A with the Commissioners. The entire Light Trespass Ordinance Workshop can be viewed here. At 1:27 in this full video, a presentation with an opposing viewpoint is presented by Ted Stimpfel of Newberry Springs. At 1:56 public comments from the Joshua Tree Government Center begin.
The Net Metering bill AB 1139 that would reduce benefits for home solar failed to pass a June 2 California Assembly vote. MBCA joined many organizations in March to oppose the bill. Several renewable energy industry news groups have provided information and commentary on the bill and the vote, including PV Tech, Solar Power World, and PV Magazine. While it is "off the table" for now, the bill could be reintroduced in January 2022.
Yucca Valley High School graduate Kahlena Alcantar has been awarded the 2021-22 Ruth Denison Conservation and Environmental Scholarship from MBCA. Kahlena will be studying Marine Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has volunteered locally with the Mojave Desert Land Trust and the Wildlands Conservancy and is pictured here with MBCA President Steve Bardwell. We wish Kahlena the best as she pursues her education and career goals!
The Initial Study for this proposal to create twelve 5-acre Rural Living-zoned lots in the Pioneertown area contains many conflicts with the County Wide Plan that are outlined in MBCA’s comment letter to Land Use Services. MBCA objects to the County's support of a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project and urges a full Environmental Impact Report be completed. MBCA's comment letter and appendices describe a number of critical oversights...
MBCA has joined over 120 environmental, consumer, low-income, tenants’ rights, and clean energy organizations to support legislation that would address both energy insecurity and air pollution problems in California. The legislation introduced by Senator Wiener (SB 868) would allow Californians to install portable solar generation devices known as "balcony solar" without having to connect with public utilities (as is currently the law). These small plug-in units can provide enough electricity...
Click on the photo to enjoy MBCA's latest engaging video of a local residential landscape filled with desert native plant beauty and skillful water management.
Eco-Education Summit Draws Local Conservation Educators
MBCA and the Joshua Tree Foundation for Arts & Ecology invited local environmental and conservation educators - individuals and organizations - to meet for information sharing and planning future collaborations emphasizing youth education. Pat Flanagan of MBCA presented an EcoMap curriculum as a tool to explore environmental data. More than a dozen participants then presented overviews of their educational programs and tools, including: Copper Mountain College Educators from La Contenta...
MBCA Opposes Huge Self-Storage Project in Lucerne Valley
MBCA has submitted to the San Bernardino County Planning Commission a letter of opposition to a proposed 5-acre self-storage project in Lucerne Valley's commercial core. Among concerns are the inappropriate use of land zoned for high-priority local services, the lack of related employment opportunities, and pedestrian safety issues. The project is in opposition to this rural and economically disadvantaged community's stated vision and interest.
MBCA is delighted to announce the awarding of $1000 Scholarships to two Yucca Valley High School seniors.MBCA's Conservation Scholarship is the continuation of our commitment to educate the next generation of conservation-conscious citizens. Kaleb Mix of Yucca Valley High School is the recipient, planning to enroll in an environmental studies program at the University of California at Santa Barbara.The Women's STEAM Scholarship (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) is provided anonymously...
New County App for Reporting Public Works Problems
An app called SeeClickFix is now available for residents of unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County to report Public Works issues such as weed abatement needs, flooding, potholes, or graffiti in public locations. The app is available for free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Residents can also access a desktop version and view service area maps by visiting the Public Works website at https://dpw.sbcounty.gov/.
MBCA Signs with Coalition Against Proposed Fall Ballot Initiative
In a coalition with over 210 public health, environmental, and environmental justice organizations, MBCA has signed a letter to members of the California legislature with deep concern about the proposed fall ballot initiative 25-0023A1. Proposed by the California Chamber of Commerce in November 2025, it has been cleared for circulation and is in the petition signature collection phase (due June 24). The coalition letter asks all state legislators to publicly...
The California Energy Commission, the state's primary energy agency, has launched a website intended to keep Californians up to date on the state's progress toward 100% clean energy. California's Clean Energy Journey highlights topics such as innovation, transportation, efficiency, and equity and tribal partnerships. Content incudes graphs, charts, and videos about various projects and goals.
Yucca Valley High School graduate Kahlena Alcantar has been awarded the 2021-22 