![]() “San Bernardino County greatly values the Western Joshua tree as an iconic symbol of the Mojave Desert and actively supports efforts to protect and preserve the species. Some of these high desert cities, San Bernardino County, and real estate and building trade groups have opposed attempts to protect the species for this reason. Outside of the park, the western Joshua tree’s habitat extends northeast, including through fast-growing high desert cities like Victorville, Hesperia and Palmdale, where California residents themselves have increasingly sought refuge from high housing prices - a crucial point for opponents who say listing the species would slow development in the region. As the Joshua tree’s southern range becomes less suitable habitat in coming years, identifying and protecting areas known as “climate refugia,” where Joshua trees may be able to thrive at higher elevations amid rising temperatures and climate change, will become even more important to the species’ survival. Over the past few years, conversations over protecting the species have placed the western Joshua tree in the crosshairs over tensions between climate change, conservation, and housing development in Southern California. “This groundbreaking law will help ensure these wonderful trees remain part of California’s Mojave Desert landscape forever.” Joshua trees threatened by climate change “I’m grateful the Newsom administration and lawmakers agree that western Joshua trees are an irreplaceable part of California’s natural heritage that has to be protected,” Center for Biological Diversity’s Conservation Director Brendan Cummings said in a statement. The tree’s suitable habitat is expected to decline substantially by 2100 due to climate change, especially in the southern portions of its range - meaning the Joshua tree would largely be unable to survive in its namesake park by the end of this century. The Center for Biological Diversity praised the passage of the new law, calling it the first law in California that protects a species based on threats from climate change. The bill prohibits any person or public agency from importing into the state, exporting out of the state, or taking, possessing, or selling within the state, a western Joshua tree or any part or product of the tree, with some exceptions. Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the state budget agreement sometime this week. ![]() After years of attempts to protect the western Joshua tree with designation under the state or federal Endangered Species Act, the iconic and gangly high desert plant finally will receive permanent protections through a less-typical route: a trailer bill passed as part of the state’s budget.Ĭalifornia lawmakers passed the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act on Tuesday as part of the state budget agreement, which also includes $5 million for environmental organizations to participate in conservation efforts for the species. Order deadlines, pickup dates, and partner organizations vary by county - a list of contacts for each county is found on the department’s website. Quantities are limited so reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is available in all Maryland jurisdictions except Baltimore City. Maryland Forest Service staff will provide information on tree maintenance and planting techniques, in addition to suggestions of other suitable native species at the time of pickup. ![]() Trees and shrubs planted along waterways help improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients, lowering peak water temperatures, reducing sediment, and stabilizing stream banks.Įach “buffer in a bag” contains about 25 native bare-root tree and shrub seedlings with species appropriate to their region. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering free tree seedlings to landowners statewide who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream, or other waterway on or near their property through the Backyard Buffers program, now available in 23 counties. ![]() Waterfront and Streamside Landowners can Reserve Seedlings
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