Overview
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has submitted the draft Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan (Conservation Plan) to the Fish and Game Commission (Commission) as required by the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act. The draft Conservation Plan provides a comprehensive set of management actions necessary to conserve the species in California. The management actions include guidance to avoid and minimize direct and indirect impacts to western Joshua trees, land conservation and management strategies, tribal co-management objectives, research and information gathering that will help inform future conservation, and an approach to provide public education and awareness on western Joshua tree conservation issues. The draft Conservation Plan is publicly available on the Commission’s website at the following link: Petition to List Species Under the California Endangered Species Act - Western Joshua Tree.
How to Comment
Throughout the adoption process, the Commission will consider all comments and may direct CDFW to amend the draft Conservation Plan accordingly. The Commission must take action to adopt the Conservation Plan by June 30, 2025. General information on participation in Commission meetings is also on the Commission’s website: Public Participation in Commission Meetings. Comments on the draft Conservation Plan may be submitted to
the Commission via:
- Email: fgc@fgc.ca.gov
- Mail: California Fish and Game Commission, P. O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090, or
- Meeting: In person or via teleconference at the Commission’s February 2025 meeting. The February 2025 meeting details, including the location and online link, will be posted on the Commission’s website in January 2025 at 2025 Meetings.
Western Joshua Tree Workshop Meetings - March 10, 2025
Please join us for a virtual public workshop with California
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on
Monday, March 10, 2025 in the
morning
from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., or in the afternoon from 3:00 p.m. –
6:00 p.m.
The purpose of these meetings is to provide clarity on the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA), Incidental
Take Permits (ITPs) under the WJTCA and California Endangered Species Act
(CESA), and the
Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan (Conservation Plan). After
CDFW presentations, we will have an open public forum to listen to additional
feedback and answer questions on these topics. The same content will be
presented in both meetings so you may choose the time most convenient for
you. Additional details regarding the meeting’s agenda can be found
here. Questions
or comments can be submitted at any time before the workshops by emailing them
to
WJT@wildlife.ca.gov. When emailing your questions,
please indicate if you will be attending the morning or afternoon session so
your questions can be answered during your attended meeting. Registration links
for the morning and afternoon meetings are found below:
Important Upcoming Dates for the Conservation Plan
- December 12, 2024 - Commission meeting notifying public receipt of the draft Conservation Plan
- February 2024 - CDFW will present the draft Conservation Plan and the ongoing efforts to conserve the species. This meeting will be open for any interested party to participate and provide comment both in person and virtually. Meetings of the Commission are recorded.
- April 2025 - Department presentation of draft Conservation Plan amendments to the Commission and public comment.
- June 30, 2025 – Deadline for Commission to take action regarding whether to adopt the
Conservation Plan.
Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan - Public Meeting (4/4/2024).
Tribal Engagement
For more information on Tribal engagement for the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan, please visit our Tribal Engagement page.