These remnant parcels of land are contiguous or immediately adjacent to the boundary of Joshua Tree National Park, making park service management the logical lands policy. The topography of these areas varies greatly, and includes rugged granite mountains with pinyon pine and juniper trees, flatlands that provide ideal habitat for the threatened desert tortoise, Joshua tree woodland habitat, and seasonal washes that produce prolific and diverse blooms of spring wildflowers. Contiguous with Joshua Tree National Park, the conservation value of these lands is significant.
These parcels include prime habitat for the threatened desert tortoise, the burrowing owl, and the LeConte’s thrasher, which is designated as a federally threatened species by the Fish and Wildlife Service. This area also provides critical wildlife connectivity corridors for bobcats and bighorn sheep. South Coast Wildlands recently finished a multi-species wildlife corridor study for the ecological connections between Joshua Tree National Park and the 29 Palms Marine Base, and several of the parcels recommended for transfer to the National Park Service are directly within these corridors. Permanently protecting these wildlife corridors is critical for the long-term health and survival of Joshua Tree National Park’s wildlife.
The area provides opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, bird watching, spring wildflower viewing, and wildlife photography are all highlights in these areas.
