For Immediate Release
January 29, 2016
Contact: Shauna Tucker
Phone: 760.366.5440
Email: shauna@mojavedesertlandtrust.org

Mojave Desert Land Trust Partners with the Arts Connection of San Bernardino County on an arts and environment project for Veterans, Active Duty Military, Families and the Community

JOSHUA TREE, CA—The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) is pleased to kick off its 2016 Land Stewardship season by hosting two invasive plant removal events as part of an ongoing art and environmental stewardship project with the Arts Connection of San Bernardino County and Mil-Tree, a military and veteran’s outreach organization in Joshua Tree, CA. These stewardship events will gather the community together in beautiful places near Joshua Tree National Park to remove invasive plants from wild lands and help keep public lands free of weeds that take over the native ecosystem. The plants will then be used to create paper and sculpture in a series of free community art and writing workshops hosted by the Arts Connection, Mil-Tree and Copper Mountain College.T

he art and environmental stewardship events are part of a dynamic ongoing project called “Joining Forces: Plant to Paper Project, The Veterans Initiative in the Arts.”

The “Joining Forces” project began in early 2015 when the California Arts Council announced a competitive grant for projects that would enrich the lives of California's veterans, active-duty military and their families through the arts. The Arts Connection of San Bernardino County saw the call and reached out to Mil-Tree, an arts-based veterans and community organization in Joshua Tree, California with a similar mission. Together, they enlisted the help of numerous non-profits like the Mojave Desert Land Trust and developed a project that would offer opportunities for everything from hiking and environmental work, to paper-making, writing and life casting. Together with their partners (including Joshua Tree National Park, MDLT, 29 Palms Art Gallery, KVCR, and Radio Free Joshua Tree) they were awarded a $10,000 grant to see their proposal to fruition.

Slated to begin in February 2016 the first phase of the project will involve the removal of invasive plants under the leadership of the Mojave Desert Land Trust. These are fun, community oriented stewardship events where people gather to learn about invasive plants and why they are detrimental to the desert ecosystem. It is an opportunity to be out in the beautiful desert and meet like-mined people who share an affinity for the land. Members of Mil-Tree and the Arts Connection will be present to answer questions about the art making part of the project.  Veterans, active-duty military and their families along with all community members are invited to participate in one or all of the free “Joining Forces” events. No experience is necessary.

All are welcome to help kick off the project by removing invasive plants with the Mojave Desert Land Trust. MDLT event dates are Saturday February 20th and Saturday March 5th, 2016.  Both events will take place from 8:30AM-10:30AM and the Morongo Basin locations for each will be announced.The entire project will culminate at the end of May with an exhibition at the 29 Palms Art Gallery. The show will incorporate 2 and 3 dimensional art, readings/spoken word, a short film documenting the project, and a reception for the artists and community.

To sign up for the invasive plant days on Saturday February 20th and Saturday March 5th, and for more information about land stewardship, please contact Kei Bjork at the Mojave Desert Land Trust: kei@mojavedesertlandtrust.org or by calling (760) 366-5440. Locations will be in the Morongo Basin/Joshua Tree area and announced closer to the event dates. Check out the Mojave Desert Land Trust website for updates: www.mojavedesertlandtrust.org

For more information about the art and writing workshops, to sign up for the workshops, and for specific workshop locations please contact Cheryl Montelle at: miltreecommunity@gmail.com.

Kick off event details:
Who: The Mojave Desert Land Trust
What: Two invasive plant removal days as part of the “Joining Forces: Plant to Paper Project, A Veterans Initiative in the Arts.”
When: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Saturday February 20th and Saturday March 5th, 2016. (dates are subject to change based on weather and plant availability)
Where:  Morongo Basin locations to be determined. Meet at the Mojave Desert Land Trust headquarters at 8:15 AM. 60124 29 Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree, CA 92252. We will carpool/caravan to nearby sites from there.
What to Bring: Water bottle, snacks, hat, sunglasses, long pants, sturdy boots, sunscreen, layers for warmth, your desert stories and a smile. MDLT will provide invasive plant education, gloves, trash bags, snacks, coffee and water to refill your water bottles. Members from the Mojave Desert Land Trust, Mil-Tree and the Arts Connection will be present to answer questions about the project.
RSVP: Kei Bjork at kei@mojavedesertlandtrust.org or by calling (760) 366-5440To sign-up and learn more about the art and writing workshops, please email Cheryl Montelle at milltreecommunty@gmail.com

Mojave Desert Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to protect the Mojave Desert ecosystem and its scenic and cultural resource values through acquisition, land stewardship and strategic partnerships. Since 2006 the organization has protected over 56,000 acres of desert land.P.O. Box 1544 , 60124 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree ,CA 92252    ~    Phone: 760-366-5440  www.mojavedesertlandtrust.org