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. The Commission will hear public comment on this item at their meeting in February 2025.
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.
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.