25 Years of The Desert Protection Act

Posted on 29 October 2019
By Jenny Brinstock

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today issued a proclamation recognizing the 25th anniversary of the California Desert Protection Act. The proclamation celebrates the many contributions protected desert lands make to the local economy and quality of life. Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Supervisorial District 5 is home to important protected desert lands, brought forth the proclamation.

“With such diverse landscapes across Los Angeles County, preserving our beautiful deserts is important to our communities,” Supervisor Barger said. “This 25-year effort proves our dedication to ensuring common-sense policies, preserving our environment, and supporting our local economy. I’m proud the Fifth District is home to invaluable protected lands, which feature beloved Antelope Valley poppies and Joshua trees.”

The California Desert Protection Act catalyzed 25 years of desert conservation, which has brought enormous benefits to the region. It includes creation of three national parks, five national monuments, and millions of acres of public lands to be used specifically for recreation and protection of cultural, historical and biological treasures. These protected lands draw millions of visitors from all over the world each year, bolstering local economies and creating jobs.

With the proclamation, Los Angeles County becomes the latest to join a growing group of local governments, conservation groups, community leaders, park units, local businesses and residents across five counties in an ongoing celebration of the landmark legislation.

“Twenty-five years later it’s heartening to see continued support for preserving our desert lands,” said Jenny Binstock with Sierra Club’s Our Wild America campaign. “We’re pleased to see Los Angeles County leading the way as we look to the next 25 years of desert protection and new challenges ranging from the climate crisis to protection rollbacks.”

Our goals have been to get communities and elected officials to recommit themselves to protecting California's deserts in the face of pending threats from the Trump administration to strip critical conservation protections from the BLM's Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP). Staff and chapter leaders have been working together to continue efforts to engage local governments through digital campaigns, planning events and passing city and county resolutions in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties.

Join us as we celebrate 25 years of protection of iconic lands, and prepare to defend them for another generation! Pledge to the California Bureau of Land Management to protect California Deserts.

A list of celebration events can be found at DesertLands.org/25years.

For mor background information please read this previous publication.