How to Help Joshua Tree National Park After a Blackout
The US government resumed operations this week after 35 days of inactivity. Its impact on our national parks has been devastating, destroying public lands and threatening the livelihoods of federal employees everywhere. Fortunately, there are AFEW things you can do to help one park, which was particularly tough.
According to some conservationists , places like Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California will be overgrown for centuries as a result of worker layoffs and uncontrolled vandalism. Photos of felled trees, debris, and illegal camping at the park have been circulating on social media since the closure began.
“In Joshua Three National Park, bottles of champagne were strewn across the desert floor on New Year’s morning, along with a prom dress,” wrote the Los Angeles Times . “Someone kicked one of the iconic trees, perhaps to see how strong it is. Human waste was accumulating. “
Friends of Joshua Three, a nonprofit group, has dedicated itself to volunteer cleaning efforts to curb problems affecting the park, although there is a good chance the park will find itself in a similar position (or perhaps worse) if the government closes again in February.
How can you help Joshua Tree National Park? Here are some tips:
Volunteer
If you’re a local California resident, you can volunteer to clean up with the National Park Conservation Association and help collect trash and other waste scattered throughout the park.
Donate
If you want to make an impact across the country, you can donate directly to Joshua Three National Park through the National Park Service . You can specify where you want to spend the donation, so be sure to include cleanup and conservation measures. Here is information about where you can send a check.
Want to help laid-off Joshua Tree workers affected by the shutdown? Friends of Joshua Three launched a small loan program without interest . By borrowing a few dollars as a loan, workers will get a temporary grace period from stopping. If the government closes again in February, this program will be more needed than ever.
Not off-road
How can you help if you are planning a visit to the park? Not off-road. While walking in the park might seem like a good idea, visitors are not allowed to enter areas where vegetation might be disturbed (or accidentally cut completely).
If you spot any debris, try to collect it – and don’t forget your own debris. National parks are public spaces and we must all be aware of our individual influence, however small.