Got Milkweed?
Monarch caterpillars must feed on milkweed in order to develop into adult butterflies, and the plants impart natural toxins that protect both caterpillar and butterfly from predators. Read on for an intimate look at a fascinating native plant.
Fire damage at a Mojave oasis
In March 2022, the Heritage Fire breached Palisades Ranch, burning 34 acres of this special wildlife haven. At least 300 mature trees burned in the fire and 10% of the riparian habitat was affected. In recent decades, the former agricultural fields at the property had become overgrown with invasive species including perennial pepperweed, which seriously impacted the native plant population and helped fuel the fire’s spread.
New program aims to address prairie falcon threats
Prairie falcons rely on special nesting sites that are under threat. The Mojave Desert Land Trust has launched a new conservation program to help tackle the problem in the California desert.