Western Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) is an iconic species in California that is both ecologically and culturally important. Western Joshua trees occur across a large portion of California’s desert. Yet, species distribution models suggest that by the end of the 21st century, much of the species’ range may no longer be viable habitat.
The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA) was passed in July 2023 to conserve western Joshua tree and its habitat while supporting the state’s renewable energy and housing priorities.
The WJTCA creates a streamlined permitting framework for certain development activities and collects mitigation fees for the acquisition and conservation of western Joshua tree habitat and other actions to conserve western Joshua Tree. This will offset the impacts of permitted projects that negatively impact western Joshua trees and help to conserve the species on a landscape scale.