MOJAVE DESERT LAND TRUST

We take on the greatest challenges facing the California desert, permanently protecting land, restoring habitat, and preserving native seeds. We defend the dark night skies, water, and critical species that make up a thriving desert ecosystem. We recognize this work is only possible through collaboration with the wider community and by inspiring the next generation of desert stewards. We believe in the transformative power of this landscape, and that everyone deserves access. We're determined to maintain the California deserts as an intact and biodiverse ecosystem for generations to come.

MDLT News

What we do

  • In this desert landscape, a California barrel cactus grows out of rocky soil, with a sweeping view of creosote bushes, purple mountains, and a bright blue sky with wispy white clouds.

    Land acquisition & stewardship

    The Mojave Desert Land Trust acquires and permanently protects ecologically significant land throughout the California desert. We focus on parcels within national parks and preserves, wilderness areas, areas of critical environmental concern, and wildlife corridors. MDLT has conveyed more tracts of land to the National Park system nationwide than any other non-profit since 2006.

  • A green hummingbird hovers around bright yellow flowers, wings outstretched.

    Native plant propagation & seed bank

    MDLT’s plant conservation program includes a native plant nursery, a conservation seed bank, and a demonstration garden. We grow native plants for desert restoration projects and to empower locals to plant native plants at home. The Mojave Desert Seed Bank serves as an insurance policy for the desert’s future.

  • Women researchers observe birds through binoculars at a Mojave Desert spring site.

    Education & outreach

    Successful, long-term conservation of the desert depends on community engagement. We work to keep the public informed about current research and policies affecting the California desert region. Our volunteer and education programs serve to train new desert conservationists who will carry our mission on for years to come.

With your support, we have

The Mojave Desert Land Trust acknowledges that the land where our headquarters is located is the ancestral and unceded territory of the Maara’yam, commonly referred to as the Serrano people. We honor their presence and recognize their contributions since time immemorial as the first stewards of this land. We also acknowledge that the Cahuilla and Chemehuevi peoples, as well as European settlers, intersected in these spaces. Our histories and stories are intertwined in this space, and by sharing them in culturally appropriate ways, we hope to honor and celebrate our Indigenous neighbors and partners.

We also acknowledge that the land that we help to preserve is the ancestral land of many tribal communities. We recognize that Native Americans continue to practice traditional lifeways on their sacred ancestral lands throughout the California desert. We would like to acknowledge all the Indigenous peoples who have preceded us in preserving the natural, scenic, and cultural resources of these lands.