March 12, 2020

For immediate release

Joshua Tree - The Mojave Desert Land Trust has been closely monitoring the evolving COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation. The safety and security of our community, visitors, volunteers, and staff is our highest priority. In the interest of public health, and following guidance from state and federal authorities, we have decided to postpone all public events until further notice. The first annual Desert Discovery Day, scheduled for March 14, will be postponed, as well as vital fundraising events that were due to take place on March 27 and 28, our Spring Native Plant and Salvage Sale on April 18, and a March 13 Campfire Talk on citizen science.

Supporters who have purchased tickets for our DesertVoices Benefit Dinner will be offered the choice of a refund or to reservetheir seat until a future date is announced.

We want to thank all the volunteers, supporters and staffwho worked tirelessly and with such dedication and passion to make the newpublic Desert Discovery Garden ready for its official opening on March 14^th.The garden will be open to the public beginning March 14^th , andvisitors are welcome to use this new space for respite and inspiration at atime when public health concerns are foremost in people’s minds.

To mitigate the risk of coronavirus at our headquarters, weare implementing strategies recommended by public health authorities and theCenter for Disease Control (CDC), including increasing the frequency ofcleaning and disinfecting in all common areas, and providing alcohol-basedsanitizers.

We look forward to sharing news of the rescheduled eventsvery soon. Please get in touch if you have any questions.

As committed members of our community, we will continueto take steps to reduce the spread of infection and to support the community inevery way we can.  Our thoughts will bewith our supporters, and volunteers and with all of our fellow communitymembers during this challenging time.  Wewish you and your family continued good health and we thank you for yourcontinued support of our conservation work.

The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) is a501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to protect and care forlands with natural, scenic, and cultural value within the Mojave Desert. Sinceits founding in 2006 the land trust has conserved more than 80,000 acres,donating more tracts of land to the National Park Service in the last decadethan any other organization. In addition to acquiring land, the land trustestablished a seed bank to ensure the preservation of native species. MDLToperates an onsite nursery at its Joshua Tree headquarters which propagatesnative species for ecosystem restoration. MDLT educates and advocates for theconservation of the desert, involving hundreds of volunteers in our work. Formore information, visit mdlt.org.