Funds could help protect desert tortoise, Joshua trees and other threatened species
Palm Springs Desert Sun
Two California desert conservancies have won more than $2 million in state funds to acquire critical habitat for imperiled species.
The grants are part of $7.5 million in funding for 10 projects in eight counties by California's natural resources agency under its transportation and environment mitigation program, which helps government agencies and nonprofits fund projects that make up for adverse impacts from new or modified state transportation projects. Widening a highway, for instance, can mean bulldozing vital grasslands or shrubs that are home to myriad wild plants and animals.
“Important transportation improvements are taking place across California, paired with environmental conservation and restoration,” Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot said in a news release. “The projects receiving funding demonstrate a ‘win-win’ for California. They help us meet our environmental goals while enabling vital transportation improvements that benefit all Californians.”
In total, the 10 projects will add about 7,400 acres to California’s effort to conserve at least 30% of its land and coastal waters in their natural state by 2030, an effort known as 30x30, and will contribute to California’s Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets.
Area officials are thrilled with the new funds.
"The property is spectacular," Oswit's executive director Jane Garrison said in an email. "We're so excited about it."
The project complements the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan by providing potential habitat for at least 14 federally threatened and endangered species, said Bettina Rosmarino, Oswit's land acquisition director.
They include burrowing owls and half a dozen other bird species, numerous lizard species, two wildflowers, the red-diamond rattlesnake, San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit and brush rabbit, Los Angeles pocket mouse, Stephens’ kangaroo rat, coyote, bobcat, and brush rabbit, and Quino checkerspot butterfly, all of which are battling to survive in remnant habitats in heavily developed southern California.
"The Mojave Desert Land Trust is delighted to receive an award," said Cody Hanford, deputy executive director of the organization. "These properties serve as a buffer between protected habitats within the park ... and urbanized areas."
Hanford said the wildlife corridor land includes both desert and montane ecosystems, and is home to montane pinyon-juniper and Joshua tree woodlands, as well as several reptile species, over 20 bird species, and nine mammals. At risk species recorded in the area include the endangered Mojave desert tortoise, American badger and the Golden eagle.
Janet Wilson is senior environment reporter for The Desert Sun and co-authors USA Today Climate Point. She can be reached at [email protected].