Native Wildlife

Wildlife Corridors

You often read about “wildlife corridors” in MBCA’s emails, comment letters, and resource materials. We have relied on the work of South Coast Wildlands (SCWildlands.org) for our understanding of these corridors or "linkages." SCWildlands is a non-profit organization “dedicated to ensuring functional habitat connectivity across diverse wildland networks.” Their mission is “… to protect and restore systems of connected wildlands that support native wildlife and the ecosystems upon which they rely.

Roadrunner portrait by Alexandra Hicks — Photo by Alexandra Hicks

The research performed by SCWildlands is a key element of the Morongo Basin Conservation Priorities Map. SCWildlands prepared a well-researched “Linkage Design” for important native species in the Morongo Basin area, showing habitat appropriate for the movement of the Basin’s native species. Following is a description of their research:

The Linkage Design for the Joshua Tree - Twentynine Palms Connection encompasses basin and range topography with an impressive array of geological formations and broad alluvial fans or bajadas. It includes several major swaths of habitat to accommodate diverse species and ecosystem functions. The two areas targeted to be served by the linkage, Joshua Tree National Park and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) at Twentynine Palms, support a great diversity of species. Joshua Tree provides habitat for more than 250 resident and migratory birds, 52 mammals, 44 reptiles, 3 amphibians, and more than 700 vascular plant species, while MCAGCC supports nearly 400 plant species and more than 250 vertebrate wildlife species.

Special Desert Species

Desert Tortoise

Read a May 2017 update from the Los Angeles Times on the status of desert tortoises in Joshua Tree National Park. A July 2015 article in The Desert Sun describes a tortoise research study occurring in the southeastern part of Joshua Tree National Park and provides an overview of concerns including the effects of climate change. Basic Facts about Desert Tortoises is available from Defenders of Wildlife (defenders.org).

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Don't Feed the Wildlife!

Thanks to local resident and KCET writer Chris Clarke for this poster.

Unique Desert Animals of Morongo Basin

Enjoy these informative essays on several unique desert animals of our Morongo Basin. They were written by MBCA Director Pat Flanagan, who prepared them for the 29 Palms Inn to share with visitors who want to better understand the unusual creatures that they might find in our desert.

Coyotes

Rattlesnakes

Camel Spiders

Tarantula Hawks

Featured post

MBCA Opposes Recission of Federal Roadless Rule

Posted by Laraine Turk · September 22, 2025 11:09 AM
A notice issued on August 29, 2025, by the Forest Service, an agency of the Department of Agriculture, announced the intent to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The intent of the Rule is "to provide lasting protection for inventoried roadless areas within the National Forest System in the context of multiple-use management." MBCA's opposition letter describes the likely negative consequences of rolling back this rule, including environmental harm to wildlife, watersheds, and water quality, plus increased fire danger (not less). Recent polling concludes that there is also widespread public support for maintaining designated roadless areas.
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MBCA Supports Grant Funding for Hwy. 62 Wildlife Overpass Planning

Posted by Laraine Turk · September 21, 2025 11:47 AM
MBCA submitted a letter to California's Wildlife Conservation Board in support of grant funding to plan two wildlife crossing overpasses on Highway 62. Mojave Desert Land Trust is spearheading the effort. Learn more about the proposal from MDLT's August Press Release and this story from local radio station Z107.7. In MBCA's Wildlife Corridors map below, notice the bright pink area in the lower left, representing an area of "Irreplaceable and Essential Corridors" between Morongo Valley and Yucca Valley, the targeted area. Additional detailed maps can be found in MDLT's Press Release.

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National Public Radio Highlights Plight of Desert Tortoise

Posted by Laraine Turk · August 19, 2025 8:41 PM
A National Public Radio story notes the potentially negative effects of federal agency changes on California's endangered desert tortoise. The efforts of Mojave Desert Land Trust on the animal's behalf are noted, as well as research by respected desert research scientists including Cameron Barrows and Ed LaRue. Listen to or read the story here.
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Ofland Project Goes Forward in Twentynine Palms Despite Community Concerns

Posted by Laraine Turk · August 04, 2025 5:48 PM
Despite an extensive array of public comments mostly expressing concerns to the Twentynine Palms City Council about the OfLand Resort proposed for Indian Cove Area (this very large document may take a while to open) , the City Council accepted the Planning Commission's recommendation to change the zoning and approve the project with a Mitigated Negative Declaration. Local radio station Z107.7 provides a comprehensive overview of the City Council meeting, and an update on the resort developer's comments about moving forward.
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"Finding Balance" Event Encourages Involvement in Local Development

Posted by Laraine Turk · June 04, 2025 10:49 AM
About 60 people attended the "Finding Balance" Town Hall in Twentynine Palms sponsored by Indian Cove Neighbors and MBCA on Saturday, May 31. Joining moderator Cindy Bernard and Kat Talley-Jones of Indian Cove Neighbors were Pat Flanagan and Laraine Turk of MBCA, and Rich Good, local business owner.

While the Ofland Development in the Indian Cove neighborhood was a focal topic, information and discussion about other proposed developments were addressed, including the Lovemore Ranch and Joshua Tree Resort projects. MBCA Board member Pat Flanagan strongly encouraged that residents become familiar with their community's General Plan. She suggested a social approach of "Get some copies of the Plan, invite friends, add a bottle of wine, and delve into it together!"

Panelists Cindy Bernard, Kat Talley-Jones, Pat Flanagan, Laraine Turk, Rich Good
Photos courtesy Bob Wold

Broad interest was expressed in pressuring San Bernardino County to “Bring Back the MAC,” i.e. the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council.” A MAC is a legal entity set up to communicate information and receive recommendations from residents in unincorporated areas.

Mojave Desert Land Trust Board member Geary Hund brought news of approval for a planning grant for two wildlife crossings on Highway 62.

Z107.7's extended online reporting on the Finding Balance Town Hall provides a thorough overview of topics covered, as does the Desert Trumpet's coverage.

Here is a link to a full recording of the meeting.
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MBCA Files Comments on OfLand Project in Twentynine Palms

Posted by Laraine Turk · June 04, 2025 10:17 AM
MBCA's comment letter to the City of Twentynine Palms Planning Department about the 100-unit luxury resort project details points of conflict with the City's General Plan but also makes suggestions for change. MBCA encourages a reduction in the size of the project, and makes additional detailed points about project deficits and discrepancies on issues including "edge effects" on wildlife; the Mojave Desert Sentinel Landscape provisions; aesthetic and viewshed degradation; and light trespass.
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MBCA Comments on Proposed Changes to Wind Turbine Specifications

Posted by Laraine Turk · March 04, 2025 3:53 PM
In this letter to San Bernardino County Senior Planner Maryn Wells, MBCA expresses concerns about a proposed Development Code amendment that would permit expansion of the generating capacity of wind turbines Countywide. With the potential for placement of 100-foot tall wind turbines within the Rural Living Zone, MBCA is calling for the imposition of a Conditional Use Permit for the permitting of wind turbines throughout the County. Especially in desert communities, the installation of 30 to 40 foot diameter turbines presents health and safety concerns as well as threats to wildlife and the natural environment.
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Energy Distribution and Conservation Topics Highlight MBCA's Annual Meeting

Posted by Laraine Turk · January 30, 2025 10:36 AM
Keynote Speaker Bernadette Del Chiaro provided an audience of over 70 gathered on January 25 for MBCA's Annual Meeting with a message that "Rooftop Solar Is Essential To California’s Clean Energy Goals." She provided detailed and incisive information (view her PowerPoint slides) about California's power distribution system and the imbalance between utility company profit goals and the need to speed up renewable energy with rooftop and distributed solar. Compelling evidence was presented showing blatant misrepresentations by utilities in their efforts to slow the adoption of rooftop solar while encouraging utility scale projects.

MBCA Board member Allan Songer presented an overview of emergency battery power options, and provided a handout of some available products.

Steve Blackledge, Director of Conservation Campaigns for Environment America, focused on wildlife conservation issues in his presentation. Geary Hund, Board member of Mojave Desert Land Trust, augmented the presentation with news of progress toward the possibility of wildlife crossings on Highway 62.

Geary Hund speaks about possible future wildlife crossings on Hwy. 62.

For a more complete overview of the presentations at the annual meeting, here is a report (with photos) in the Morongo Basin's non-profit publication The Desert Trumpet and as reported on local radio station Z107.7.

And, a recording of all presentations and Q&A sessions is available on MBCA's YouTube channel.

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BLM Off-Road Plan Deemed Inadequate to Protect Tortoises

Posted by Laraine Turk · October 19, 2024 8:51 AM

A federal judge has ruled that the West Mojave Route Network Project (WEMO) presented in 2019 by the Bureau of Land Management does not adequately protect the threatened (endangered in California) desert tortoise. The lawsuit against the Plan filed in 2021 was brought by six environmental organizations. While not all the lawsuit’s claims were granted, the judge found that the off-road routes could not be shown to adequately protect the tortoise and other endangered species. Additional details can be found in articles in the Los Angeles Times and Desert Sun. MBCA's 2018 commented on the project in 2018.

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BLM Extends Public Comment on Morongo Valley Communications Tower

Posted by Laraine Turk · September 17, 2024 7:02 PM
MBCA addressed concerns about the proposed 196-foot communications tower in Morongo Valley in this 2022 post. The latest version of the Environmental Assessment (at 422 pages) was published late this summer. On September 13 BLM republished its earlier Press Release to include a new public comment extension to October 7. Concerned Morongo Valley residents have created guidelines showing how to comment and containing "substantive comment" language for the main concerns of the local community.
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