The Joshua Tree
“Each thing in its way, when true to its own character, is equally beautiful." - Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire.
Declared a National Monument in 1936 by Franklin Roosevelt, Joshua Tree has a rich human history stretching back at least 10,000 years.
Prior to the declaration this area was under pressure from land clearing and plant poachers.
The desert plants of the area were particularly sought after by property developers in Los Angeles and other large cities of southern California.
Minerva Hoyt had a deep love for the flora of desert landscapes and following the deaths of her son and husband she dedicated herself to the cause of protecting them. She organised exhibitions of desert plants that were shown in the US and London. She founded the International Deserts Conservation League with the goal of establishing parks to preserve desert landscapes.
Her efforts were instrumental in convincing Roosevelt to protect Joshua Tree, demonstrating how the power of one person can influence the course of history.
One of the early explorers, John Freemont, described the Joshua Tree as “the most repulsive tree in the vegetable kingdom.” Despite this, the Joshua Tree National Monument was elevated to national park status in 1994 and is now visited by over three million people annually.
A rather famous Irish rock band even named one of their greatest albums after the park.
The gallery below consists of images taken over two days and nights.
“It's the Joshua tree's struggle that gives it its beauty" - Jeannette Walls
As with many places of beauty and significance in this world, Joshua Tree needs those who visit to slow down and consider its fragility and how hard people like Minerva needed to work to preserve it for us. Most importantly, if you're one of the three million that visit like I did, try and leave it better than when you arrived.
Take a look at how the National Parks Conservation Association view the threats facing Joshua Tree and consider how you may be able to help.
Dan Broun
Kuno Earth Media Centre Manager
“Each thing in its way, when true to its own character, is equally beautiful." - Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire.
Declared a National Monument in 1936 by Franklin Roosevelt, Joshua Tree has a rich human history stretching back at least 10,000 years.
Prior to the declaration this area was under pressure from land clearing and plant poachers.
The desert plants of the area were particularly sought after by property developers in Los Angeles and other large cities of southern California.
Minerva Hoyt had a deep love for the flora of desert landscapes and following the deaths of her son and husband she dedicated herself to the cause of protecting them. She organised exhibitions of desert plants that were shown in the US and London. She founded the International Deserts Conservation League with the goal of establishing parks to preserve desert landscapes.
Her efforts were instrumental in convincing Roosevelt to protect Joshua Tree, demonstrating how the power of one person can influence the course of history.
One of the early explorers, John Freemont, described the Joshua Tree as “the most repulsive tree in the vegetable kingdom.” Despite this, the Joshua Tree National Monument was elevated to national park status in 1994 and is now visited by over three million people annually.
A rather famous Irish rock band even named one of their greatest albums after the park.
The gallery below consists of images taken over two days and nights.
“It's the Joshua tree's struggle that gives it its beauty" - Jeannette Walls
As with many places of beauty and significance in this world, Joshua Tree needs those who visit to slow down and consider its fragility and how hard people like Minerva needed to work to preserve it for us. Most importantly, if you're one of the three million that visit like I did, try and leave it better than when you arrived.
Take a look at how the National Parks Conservation Association view the threats facing Joshua Tree and consider how you may be able to help.
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