DESERT Region
DESERT Region
California’s deserts -spanning nearly 30 million acres reflecting over 30% of state lands – are among the most geographically expansive and ecologically diverse regions in the contiguous United States, offering a natural sink for carbon sequestration and invaluable habitats for plants, wildlife, and people. These regions are deeply tied to Indigenous cultures, host a rich array of sacred sites, and are threatened by climate change, industrial development, and a lack of long-term protection. Safeguarding these deserts is critical for addressing our health, climate and biodiversity crises and achieving the state’s goal of conserving 30% of lands and waters by 2030.
California’s deserts are rich in biodiversity, home to unique species and ecosystems found nowhere else. Preserving these habitats is vital to maintaining the state’s ecological health.
Key highlights:
- Habitat for desert tortoise, bighorn sheep, chuckwalla, Mohave ground squirrel, and fringe-toed lizards
- Critical stopover for migratory birds at the Salton Sea along the Pacific Flyway
- Ecosystems include Joshua Tree woodlands, creosote scrublands, wetlands, sand dunes, chaparral, and grasslands
- Many species face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation
Deserts play a critical role in climate mitigation and resilience:
- Desert soils are major carbon sinks, storing carbon underground for centuries
- Intact ecosystems reduce dust emissions and buffer against extreme heat
- The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) attempts to balance conservation and clean energy development by steering industrial-scale projects away from ecologically sensitive areas
Protecting intact deserts reduces fragmentation, enabling ecosystems to adapt to climate pressures over time
California’s deserts offer vast public access opportunities for recreation, mental health and cultural connection:
- Activities include hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, photography, and stargazing
- Sites like Chuckwalla, Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow, Castle Mountains and Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monuments protect millions of acres of public lands for future generations to recreate, enjoy, and benefit from
- These areas also hold deep tribal cultural significance, and public access must be balanced with tribal stewardship and cultural protections
- Access to nature in many under-resourced regions contributes to mental health, community identity, and ecological literacy, especially when access is managed equitably and responsibly.
- Many of the 200 desert cities and towns, have plans that require them to be in alignment with 30×30 priorities so people have equitable access to green spaces for their wellbeing and have the opportunity to be better land stewards.
Getting involved in the Inland Desert Working Group is essential to protecting one of California’s most ecologically significant regions. From preserving rare species and vast intact landscapes to supporting tribal stewardship and climate resilience, there’s a role for everyone in achieving the 30×30 goals for our region. Bring your everyday skillsets to help safeguard the deserts’ unique biodiversity, restoring critical habitats, and ensuring access to nature for future generations. Contact us to learn how you can fit into this vital work. Click Here to JOIN
Featured Projects
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