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Subscribe News Archive Availability of a Notice of Preparation for the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA) Permitting Program Environmental Impact Report and Public Scoping Meeting Registration Request Wednesday, November 19, 2025 View as a web page / share November 19, 2025 Program Contact: Karen Carpio, WJTCEQA@wildlife.ca.gov Availability of a Notice of Preparation for the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA) Permitting Program Environmental Impact Report and Public Scoping Meeting Registration Request The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will be developing a Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to streamline California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance for smaller impact projects seeking WJTCA incidental take permits, such as those undertaken by single-family homeowners. The first step in this process is the public filing of a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting for the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act Permitting Program (Program EIR) (PDF) (State Clearinghouse No. 2025110649). The purpose of the NOP is to provide notice to the public that CDFW is beginning the preparation of the Program EIR and to solicit comments concerning the scope and content of the environmental review. The geographic focus area encompasses portions of Mono, Inyo, Tulare, Kern, San Bernardino, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Riverside counties. Please review the NOP for the focus of requested input. A virtual public scoping meeting will be held via Zoom webinar on December 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM. Please register in advance at the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_42XLcIFWTFyqU1IbN5w7GQ#/registration After registering, you will receive the meeting link via email to log into the webinar Comments on the NOP must be received by December 17, 2025, by 5:00 P.M. Submit comments via email: WJTCEQA@wildlife.ca.gov (include "Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act Permitting Program – NOP Comments" in subject line) Alternately, you can mail comments to: California Department of Fish and Wildlife; Attention: Karen Carpio; Habitat Conservation Planning Branch; P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA, 94244-2090 Registration Link Other WJT Questions Please email us if you have any other questions WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Register for the Western Joshua Tree Informational Quarterly Meeting on Thursday, December 4, 2025 (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM) Monday, November 17, 2025 View as a web page / share November 17, 2025 Western Joshua Tree Informational Quarterly Meeting on Thursday, December 4, 2025 (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM) Please join us for a virtual public informational meeting with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on Thursday, December 4th, 2025 (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM). This meeting is strictly informational and will not have a public forum/Q&A portion. The purpose of the Western Joshua Tree (WJT) quarterly meetings is to inform and update the public on projects CDFW is working on related to the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act. CDFW is planning additional quarterly meetings in 2026, and meeting dates will be announced in the future. CDFW is currently working on several concurrent projects related to western Joshua tree that are scheduled for release in 2026. For this first meeting, we will differentiate and define the purpose of each project, and outline the anticipated timelines, opportunities for public comment, and contact information for each project. Below are the projects that will be discussed during the December 4th meeting: Overall CDFW Western Joshua Tree Conservation Efforts update Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act Permitting Program Environmental Impact Report (WJT PEIR) Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act Fee Adjustment and Implementation (WJT Fees) Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan Amendment (Conservation Plan Amendment) Date: December 4, 2025 Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Registration URL: https://wildlife-ca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QiZF5ypdQRmP1TyG2KkHLQ After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. General WJT questions may be submitted ahead of time to WJT@wildlife.ca.gov; however, questions pertaining to one of the mentioned projects will not be answered at the December 4th meeting and should be held until the appropriate meeting. Registration Link Other WJT Questions Please email us if you have any other questions WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act: Incidental Take Permit Webpage Update Friday, October 31, 2025 View as a web page / share October 31, 2025 Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act: Incidental Take Permit Webpage Update CDFW has recently updated our Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act incidental take permit (WJTCA ITP) webpage by condensing all information relating to WJTCA ITPs onto a single, streamlined webpage. The new WJTCA ITP webpage contains: WJTCA incidental take permit (ITP) application directions and steps WJTCA ITP application form (Word) CDFW contacts Mitigation fee calculation Mitigation fee map WJT Relocation Guidelines and Protocols And more! Visit the new Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act Incidental Take Permit page to learn more. WJT ITP Webpage Other WJT Questions? Please email us if you have any other WJT questions. WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act: Frequently Asked Questions Updated Monday, October 6, 2025 View as a web page / share Oct. 6, 2025 Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act: Frequently Asked Questions Updated CDFW has received a recent influx of questions from the public relating to western Joshua trees (WJT), their conservation, and permitting. As a result, we have updated our western Joshua tree webpage with the latest questions and answers. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page to learn more. WJT FAQ Webpage Other WJT Questions? Please email us if you have any other WJT questions. WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan now available! Wednesday, September 17, 2025 View as a web page / share Sep. 17, 2025 Program Contact: Drew Kaiser, WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan now available! The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan (Conservation Plan) was approved by the California Fish and Game Commission on August 13, 2025, and is now available on our Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan website. The website also contains draft versions of the Conservation Plan, comments received on the Conservation Plan, and links to all public meetings held by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Fish and Game Commission throughout the development and adoption of the Conservation Plan. We have also updated the Tribal Engagement website to include the most recent information for tribal representatives. View WJTCP now! Other WJT Questions? If you have any other western Joshua tree questions, please email us. WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Revised WJTCA ITP Relocation Document (August 2025) Tuesday, August 5, 2025 View as a web page / share Aug. 5, 2025 Revised Relocation Guidelines and Protocols The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has adopted revised Western Joshua Tree Relocation Guidelines and Protocols. The revisions include: New determinations when relocation may be required Expanded minimization measures Addressing availability of relocation sites Minor clarifications and grammatical edits The updated Western Joshua Tree Relocation Guidelines and Protocols (dated August 2025) can be found on our Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act Incidental Take Permit website along with supplemental materials. CDFW WJTCA ITP Website Other WJT Questions? Please email us if you have any other WJT questions WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Final Draft Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan Now Available! Tuesday, June 3, 2025 View as a web page / share June 3, 2025 Program Contact(s): Drew Kaiser, CDFW Native Plant Program, WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Final Draft Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan Now Available! The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has submitted the final 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 Conservation Plan incorporates comments from the Commission and the public. The Conservation Plan is publicly available on the Department’s website at the following link: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Environmental-Review/WJT/Conservation-Plan. The Commission will hear public comment and may take final action on the Conservation Plan at their June 11-12, 2025 meeting. Comments on the 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 June 11-12, 2025 meeting. The meeting details, including the location and online link, are posted on the Commission’s website at https://fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2025 General information on participation in Commission meetings is also on the Commission’s website: https://fgc.ca.gov/Meetings/Public-Participation. WJT Conservation Plan Other WJT Questions? Please email us if you have any other western Joshua tree questions. WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Revised WJTCA ITP Relocation and Census Documents Wednesday, May 28, 2025 View as a web page / share May 28, 2025 Contact Information: WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Revised Relocation Guidelines and Protocols The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has adopted revised Western Joshua Tree Relocation Guidelines and Protocols. The revisions include: New relocation percentages for bare root and tree spade methods Updated WJT Salvage Requirement Calculator Spreadsheet and WJTCA ITP Relocation Plan Template Simplified thresholds when relocation will be required Exemption for single, single-family residential projects Expanded the distance and elevational range WJT can be relocated A discussion on technical and legal limitations Maintenance and monitoring site visits may be conducted by a technician with relevant experience (desert native plant specialists are not required) Minor clarifications and grammatical edits The updated Western Joshua Tree Relocation Guidelines and Protocols (dated April 2025) can be found on our Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act Incidental Take Permit website along with supplemental materials. WJTCA ITP Website Revised WJTCA ITP Census Instructions CDFW has also made a revision to the Census Instructions for Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act incidental take permits (WJTCA ITP). Applicants are now asked to provide the distance that project activities will be occurring from the base of each tree. This change is also reflected in census spreadsheet and in the Western Joshua Tree Census Survey123 form. Survey123 users will be prompted to update to the latest version of the Western Joshua Tree Census form when opening the form in Survey123. Census Instructions Website Other WJT Questions? Please email us if you have other western Joshua tree questions WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Year-End Review, All Things Western Joshua Tree! Friday, March 21, 2025 View as a web page / share Mar. 21, 2025 Program Contact(s): CDFW Staff, WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Year-End Review, All Things Western Joshua Tree! 2024 was an extremely busy year for California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) western Joshua tree (WJT) conservation team. New staff were hired, outreach meetings were held, permits were issued, and the draft Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan (Conservation Plan) was released! The first half of 2024 focused on developing the Western Joshua Tree Relocation Guidelines and Protocols (Relocation Guidelines) in early 2024, which were released in July. The Relocation Guidelines provide guidance on how and when to relocate WJTs in order to minimize impacts to populations, prevent habitat fragmentation, and preserve WJT connectivity. After months of development, CDFW released the draft Conservation Plan to the public in November. CDFW engaged with California Native American tribes, federal and state agencies, non-profits, business organizations, researchers, and the public throughout the year to ensure a wide array of knowledge, ideas, and data are included to help support WJT conservation. CDFW hosted virtual outreach meetings in April and July to update partners on the progress of the Conservation Plan. These informative meetings allowed the public to ask questions and provide input and suggestions on Conservation Plan content. The draft Conservation Plan provides guidance and recommended conservation management actions for WJT, criteria to help define the effectiveness of and monitor those management actions, and a process for improving conservation over time. The Commission is required to take final action on the Conservation Plan by June 30, 2025. CDFW also prioritized meaningful tribal engagement throughout the year and focused on engaging in ways that respect the interests, priorities, time, and resource constraints of tribes. This outreach included meetings, phone calls, and email correspondence with participating tribes. In October, CDFW staff attended an in-person inter-tribal meeting with seven tribes. Attendees visited a tribal nursery and WJT relocation sites and discussed contents of the Conservation Plan and future collaboration. Moving into 2025, CDFW continues to ensure tribal engagement is a top priority in order to best ensure WJT conservation. In addition to the Conservation Plan, CDFW accomplished many other WJT-related goals in 2024. CDFW created the Conservation Lands Prioritization Assessment, which is a key component of the Conservation Plan. The purpose of the assessment provides biological guidance for land acquisitions and other conservation actions supported by the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Fund. The assessment includes several components to rate suitable WJT habitat for conservation. CDFW anticipates this process will help identify high priority conservation land available in 2025. In addition, two permitting systems established by the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act continue to be implemented efficiently. To date, over 25 WJT Incidental Take Permits and 350 Hazard Management Permits have been issued. Josh Grover, Deputy Director of the Ecosystem Conservation Division, summarized the year by stating “Conserving western Joshua tree in California isn’t easy, but we’ve accomplished all of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act’s 2024 milestones on time. We also continue to balance the mix of interests while finding opportunities to improve overall implementation as required under the Act.” For updates on CDFW western Joshua tree conservation efforts and upcoming outreach meetings, please subscribe to our email/SMS message announcement system. Subscribe Other WJT Questions? Please email us if you have any other western Joshua tree questions WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Register now to attend Western Joshua Tree Workshop Meetings on March 10, 2025 Thursday, February 27, 2025 View as a web page / share Feb. 26, 2025 Program Contact(s): Drew Kaiser, CDFW Native Plant Program, WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Western Joshua Tree Workshop Meetings 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 am – 1:00 pm, or in the afternoon from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm. 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) released to the public on November 22, 2024. During the workshop, we will provide a brief overview of these topics, a summary of comments received to date on the draft Conservation Plan, and some anticipated changes to the Conservation Plan based on these comments. After, 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. 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. Questions may also be asked during the workshops either orally on screen or written in the Q&A box. Topic: Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act and Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan Date: March 10, 2025 Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm or 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Pacific Time Meeting Agenda: 10:00 – 10:45 am; 3:00 – 3:45 pm: Introductions to Conservation Plan team, Overview of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, WJTCA and CESA ITPs, Overview of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan 10:45 – 11:15 am; 4:00 – 4:30 pm: Response to Frequently Asked WJTCA questions 11:15 – 12:55 pm; 4:30 – 5:55 pm: Open forum/Q&A 12:55 – 1:00 pm; 5:55 – 6:00 pm: Process and timeline for future input Register for 10:00am - 1:00pm Workshop Register for 3:00pm - 6:00pm Workshop After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Other WJT Questions? Email us If you have other any other western Joshua tree questions WJT@wildlife.ca.gov If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in this virtual webinar such as requests for American Sign Language or Real-Time Captioning, please send your request to civilrights@wildlife.ca.gov or call (916) 902-5577 at least 12 business days prior to the webinar. We are committed to ensuring accessibility for all participants. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact CDFW’s Civil Rights Office immediately. Draft Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan now available! Wednesday, November 27, 2024 View as a web page / share Nov. 27, 2024 Program Contact(s): Drew Kaiser, CDFW Native Plant Program Draft Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan now available! 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: https://fgc.ca.gov/CESA#wjt. The Commission will hear public comment on this item at their meeting in February 2025. 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 https://fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2025 Important Upcoming Dates for the Conservation Plan December 12, 2024 - Commission meeting notifying public the receipt of the draft Conservation Plan. February 2025 – 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. 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: https://fgc.ca.gov/Meetings/Public-Participation. Other WJT Questions? Please email us if you have any other western Joshua tree questions WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. WJTCA Annual Mitigation Fee Adjustment to be Implemented January 1, 2025 Monday, November 25, 2024 View as a web page / share Nov. 22, 2024 Program Contact(s): For questions, please email wjt@wildlife.ca.gov WJTCA Annual Mitigation Fee Adjustment to be Implemented January 1, 2025 The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA) allows the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to authorize take of western Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia, WJT) that is incidental to otherwise legal projects. In lieu of conducting compensatory mitigation, permittees pay a fee for each WJT taken based on location and size class. The WJTCA established the original fees in Fish and Game Code section 1927.3 subsections (d) and (e). Fish and Game Code 1927.8(b) mandates that the department shall annually adjust the fees provided for in Section 1927.3 pursuant to Section 713. Section 713 describes annual adjustments based on the implicit price deflator and is applied annually to fees for permits issued by CDFW. In addition, Fish and Game Code 1927.8(b) also mandates CDFW, beginning in 2026, to adopt regulations to adjust the fees as necessary to ensure the conservation of the species. The annual adjustment announced here is based only on the implicit price deflator under Section 713 and is not based on factors related to the conservation of the species. The 2025 WJTCA ITP annual mitigation fee adjustment will go into effect on January 1, 2025. All required fees that have not been invoiced and paid by December 15, 2024, will be subject to the 2025 fee increase. The following table shows the amount the fees will increase and the updated fees. WJT Size Class and Fee Area Type 2024 Fee Per WJT 2025 Proposed Increase* 2025 Proposed Fee Per WJT 5 meters or greater - reduced fee area $1,000.00 $17.75 $1,017.75 1 meter to less than 5 meters - reduced fee area $200.00 $3.50 $203.50 Less than 1 meter - reduced fee area $150.00 $2.75 $152.75 5 meters or greater - standard fee area $2,500.00 $44.75 $2,544.75 1 meter to less than 5 meters - standard fee area $500.00 $9.00 $509.00 Less than 1 meter - standard fee area $340.00 $6.00 $346.00 *Implicit Price Deflater Index: 0.017863 Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. New coalition of experts to tackle conservation of imperiled Joshua trees Thursday, November 21, 2024 View as a web page / share Nov. 21, 2024 Program Contact(s): Drew Kaiser, CDFW Native Plant Program New coalition of experts to tackle conservation of imperiled Joshua trees JOSHUA TREE, Calif. - A newly convened coalition of experts and land managers are coming together to tackle Joshua tree conservation priorities, threats from a changing climate, and increased wildfire activity. The coalition was initiated by the Mojave Desert Land Trust and funded by California’s Wildlife Conservation Board to address the need for swift action and strong partnerships in combating threats to the declining keystone species. Several peer-reviewed studies show that much of the Joshua tree’s habitat may be climatically unsuitable at the end of the century under shifting temperature and precipitation patterns projected by certain climate scenarios. The coalition will provide foundational structure and information necessary for efficient conservation action to effectively monitor and conserve the Joshua tree. Areas of focus will include land management, fire prevention, research, and education. This collective action for the iconic Joshua tree will apply lessons from the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition, which unites public and non-governmental organizations dedicated to conserving giant sequoia ecosystems. The coalition’s steering committee met in Joshua Tree National Park Nov. 18-19 to adopt a mission and charter. The steering committee includes representatives of the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Native American Land Conservancy, U.S. Geological Survey, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Mojave Desert Land Trust. “The new coalition will promote collaboration and communication between federal and state agencies, land managers, tribes, researchers, and other stakeholders to take strategic conservation action to protect the species,” said Jane Rodgers, Superintendent of Joshua Tree National Park. “It will also centralize knowledge and build a unified structure that serves to advise and inform best conservation practices for the Joshua tree.” California passed the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act in 2023, which mandates the creation of a conservation plan for western Joshua trees. “Cooperation between partners is essential for Joshua tree conservation. CDFW is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Joshua Tree Conservation Coalition. This partnership will be instrumental for implementation of California’s western Joshua tree conservation plan. Through research and information sharing, public education and outreach, and cooperation, the core objectives of the coalition will amplify the state’s concerted efforts to conserve the iconic Joshua tree,” said Drew Kaiser, Senior Environmental Scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “We need to take innovative, collaborative, and bold action if we want to ensure the future of one of North America’s emblematic species,” said Kelly Herbinson, Executive Director of the Mojave Desert Land Trust. “After many conversations with our partners envisioning what is needed to truly protect the Joshua tree, we conceptualized this collaborative coalition. We are honored to play a leadership role in the long-term protection of the Joshua tree, and all the life that calls the desert home.” “The intrinsic beauty of the desert has captured many hearts, impacted lives, and shown many community members the importance of living in balance with the environment,” said Elizabeth Paige, Sukutt Menyil Cahuilla (Torres Martinez Band of Desert Cahuilla Indians), Education and Stewardship Program Manager of the Native American Land Conservancy. “Though it may be seen as a symbol of the Mojave Desert landscape to many, to Indigenous people throughout these shared lands, Humwichawa, or Yucca brevifolia, is a family member who needs our protection now more than ever. The Native American Land Conservancy is proud to be an advocate and a good relative to the Joshua tree, building climate resilience and supporting the cultural traditions of the Native communities that revere them.” “We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate across multiple agencies and interest groups to foster Joshua tree conservation,” said Scott Sobiech, Field Supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Carlsbad Office.Repost from Joshua Tree Conservation Coalition partner, Mojave Desert Land Trust, Press Release Other WJT Questions? Please email us if you have any other western Joshua tree questions. WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Western Joshua Tree Relocation Guidelines and Protocols Now Available Wednesday, July 10, 2024 View as a web page / share July 10, 2024 Western Joshua Tree Relocation Guidelines and Protocol The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA) requires CDFW to adopt guidelines and relocation protocols to relocate western Joshua trees successfully. CDFW developed this document in consultation with desert native plant specialists and based on the best available science. The document provides guidance on how and when to relocate western Joshua trees in order to minimize impacts to populations, prevent habitat fragmentation, and preserve connectivity corridors for gene flow and pollinator migration. This document, along with helpful supplemental materials, is now available on CDFW’s Western Joshua Tree Permitting website. The Guidelines section of the document discusses the circumstances in which CDFW would consider including permit conditions requiring relocation of one or more western Joshua trees under the WJTCA. The Protocol section provides a summary of best practices for relocating western Joshua trees and increasing the survival rate of relocated (salvage) western Joshua trees. Information on post-relocation maintenance, monitoring, and reporting is also provided. This document will be updated as needed based on the best scientific information available. Other WJT Questions? Please email us if you have any other questions. Email us Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan - Public Outreach Meeting #2 Wednesday, June 12, 2024 View as a web page / share Jun. 12, 2024 Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan - Second Public Outreach Meeting Please join us for a virtual meeting with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to share an update on the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan conservation strategies introduced during the April 4th outreach meeting, and to gather feedback on the management actions and implementation processes CDFW has developed since the meeting, for incorporation into the Conservation Plan. The Conservation Plan will describe the management actions necessary to conserve the species, objective and measurable criteria to assess the effectiveness of those actions, guidance to avoid and minimize impacts to the species and protocols for the successful relocation. The consultation and collaboration with California Native American Tribes, governmental agencies, and the public required by the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA) passed in July 2023 are critical components of the Conservation Plan development. Questions or comments can be submitted at any time before the meeting by emailing them to WJT@wildlife.ca.gov. Registration Link Topic: Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan – Management Action and Implementation Meeting (Public) Time: July 11, 2024 2:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Meeting Agenda: 2:00 – 2:45pm - Introductions to Conservation Plan team,WJTCP management actions and implementation update 2:45 – 3:55pm - Feedback on management actions/implementation 3:55 – 4:00pm - Process and timeline for future input Registration URL: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ryFozWnXQ4GjEa-fAM9z2g After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Other WJT Questions? Please email us if you have any other questions WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Corrected links: CDFW is Requesting Public Feedback for the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan Wednesday, March 13, 2024 View as a webpage / share Mar. 13, 2024 Program Contact(s): Drew Kaiser, Senior Environmental Scientist, (916) 224-6460 Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan Virtual Meeting Please join the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on Thursday, April 4, 2024, from 10 a.m. to noon for a virtual meeting on the development of a western Joshua tree conservation plan. Sign up here to register for this meeting. Preparation of this conservation plan is required by the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA). Consultation and collaboration with California Native American tribes, governmental agencies and the public is required by the act and is integral for the successful development and implementation of the conservation plan. The WJTCA is a California law enacted in July 2023 to conserve the culturally and ecologically important western Joshua tree and its habitat while supporting the state’s renewable energy and housing priorities. The conservation plan will describe management actions necessary to conserve the species, objective and measurable criteria to assess the effectiveness of those actions, guidance to avoid and minimize impacts to the species and protocols for the successful relocation of western Joshua trees. During the meeting, CDFW will present a brief overview of the act, a status update on CDFW’s implementation of the WTJCA and ideas for conservation strategies currently in development. Questions or comments can be submitted at any time before or after the meeting by e-mailing WJT@wildlife.ca.gov. For more information, please go to Western Joshua Tree Conservation website. Register Here Other WJT Questions? If you have any other WJT questions, please email us. WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. CDFW is Requesting Public Feedback for the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan Wednesday, March 13, 2024 View as a webpage / share Mar. 13, 2024 Program Contact(s): Drew Kaiser, Senior Environmental Scientist, (916) 224-6460 Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan Virtual Meeting Please join the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on Thursday, April 4, 2024, from 10 a.m. to noon for a virtual meeting on the development of a western Joshua tree conservation plan. Sign up here to register for this meeting. Preparation of this conservation plan is required by the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA). Consultation and collaboration with California Native American tribes, governmental agencies and the public is required by the act and is integral for the successful development and implementation of the conservation plan. The WJTCA is a California law enacted in July 2023 to conserve the culturally and ecologically important western Joshua tree and its habitat while supporting the state’s renewable energy and housing priorities. The conservation plan will describe management actions necessary to conserve the species, objective and measurable criteria to assess the effectiveness of those actions, guidance to avoid and minimize impacts to the species and protocols for the successful relocation of western Joshua trees. During the meeting, CDFW will present a brief overview of the act, a status update on CDFW’s implementation of the WTJCA and ideas for conservation strategies currently in development. Questions or comments can be submitted at any time before or after the meeting by e-mailing WJT@wildlife.ca.gov. For more information, please go to Western Joshua Tree Conservation website. Register Here Other WJT Questions? If you have any other WJT questions, please email us. WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. WJTCA ITP Delegation Agreements now available Wednesday, February 28, 2024 View as a webpage / share Feb. 28, 2024 Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act Delegation Agreements for Incidental Take Permits The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA) allows CDFW to enter into agreements with cities and counties to delegate to those local jurisdictions the ability to authorize the take of western Joshua trees that is incidental to the development of a single-family residence, multifamily residence, or an accessory structure where no more than ten individual western Joshua trees will be taken (by way of an Incidental Take Permit). Incidental Take Permits may also be issued for public works projects that will result in the incidental take of no more than forty individual western Joshua trees. Permittees applying for an Incidental Take Permit from a city or county must avoid and minimize impacts to and take of western Joshua trees to the maximum extent practicable and must mitigate all impacts to western Joshua trees by paying the applicable fees. The delegation agreements for Incidental Take Permits are now available. Cities and counties wishing to enter into WJTCA delegation agreements with CDFW should contact WJT@wildlife.ca.gov. Other WJT Questions? If you have other WJT questions, please email us at WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Email Us Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-5577, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. CDFW Western Joshua Tree 2023 Year-end Review Friday, February 2, 2024 View as a webpage / share Feb. 2, 2024 CDFW WJT Conservation Efforts Year-end Review CDFW had a big year in 2023 helping to protect the iconic western Joshua tree! The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA) was introduced in California Legislature in February 2023 and signed by the Governor in July 2023, to ensure western Joshua tree protection while offering a path forward for cohabitation and economic development that will help California meet its 100 percent clean energy goal by 2045. CDFW expeditiously began implementing the requirements prescribed by the Act. In August 2023, CDFW started implementation of the WTJCA hazard management permit to authorize the removal of dead trees or the trimming of living trees that pose a risk to public health and safety. To date, 137 hazard permits have been issued. In September 2023, the WJTCA incidental take permit (ITP) was released and CDFW began receiving applications to authorize the removal and relocation of WJT for approved projects. To assist data collection for these projects and facilitate the application process, CDFW created a form in the Geographic Information System mapping tool Survey123 to help applicants record important census information including size class and photographs for each tree in their project area. To date, 44 applications have been received and are being evaluated to determine appropriate actions to avoid or minimize impacts to the species. Fees for impacting WJTs from WJTCA ITPs are deposited into the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Fund (WJTCF). Its purpose is to acquire, conserve and manage WJT conservation lands and complete other activities to conserve the species. In October 2023, CDFW made its first land acquisition using the WJTCF. The WJT habitat acquired has great significance to the Native American tribes of the Kern Valley and is an example of the co-management principles supported by the WJTCA. CDFW is working with the Native American Land Conservancy, Kern Valley Indian Community, and Tübatulabals of Kern Valley to steward the land and protect both cultural resources and the iconic tree. Other uses of WJTCF are in the works. In September 2023, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, who manages fund, announced a Request for Qualifications to find consultants that will help CDFW direct the expenditure of the fund in order to acquire, conserve and manage conservation lands. Proposals are currently being evaluated and final selections will be announced in February 2024. The WJTCA allows CDFW to enter into agreements with any county or city or incorporated town to delegate the ability to authorize the taking of the protected western Joshua tree under certain conditions. CDFW has begun to meet with interested counties, cities, or incorporated towns and is looking forward to working further with these parties. Lastly, the WJTCA directs CDFW to develop a Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan by December 2024. CDFW are in the planning phases of the Conservation Plan and will hold several meetings and webinars over the next six months with California Native American tribes, governmental agencies, and the public to gather input and develop management actions to conserve the species. CDFW began outreach to 92 Native American tribes to gather interest in co-management activities and traditional ecological knowledge needed to conserve the iconic tree. For updates on CDFW western Joshua tree conservation efforts and upcoming outreach meetings, please subscribe to our email/SMS message announcement system. Subscribe to WJT Updates CDFW WJT Website Re-vamped Have you seen the new CDFW WJT website??? 👀 We recently updated our website to make it more user-friendly and help you find important information quicker! Let us know what you think by emailing comments to WJT@wildlife.ca.gov. Other WJT Questions? Please email WJT@wildlife.ca.gov if you have any other questions regarding CDFW's WJT conservation efforts. Email Us Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the CRO Office at (916) 902-9097, or send an email to CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. WJTCA Informational Webinar Recording for CA Native American Tribes Wednesday, November 22, 2023 View as a webpage / share Nov. 22, 2023 Informational Webinar for California Native Americans Tribes The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is in the process of developing the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan, as required by the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA). The plan is being developed on a very tight timeline, with a complete draft due to the California Fish and Game Commission by December 31, 2024. Consultation and collaboration with California Native American Tribes, governmental agencies, and the public are critical components of the plan’s development. CDFW values this opportunity to incorporate tribal interest and perspectives early in the process and is committed to collaborate with California Native American Tribes to ensure that co-management principles and traditional ecological knowledge are included in the plan. As the first step of engagement, CDFW has recorded a Tribal informational webinar on the WJTCA that is available by clicking the button below. The webinar begins with an introductory message from CDFW Director Chuck Bonham and covers topics including a brief background on the biology of and impacts to Joshua trees, an overview of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, and the timeline for future opportunities for collaboration with California Native American Tribes. WJTCA Information Webinar (CA Native American Tribes) CDFW is also hosting an upcoming Live virtual Tribal Question and Answer session to answer questions related to the WJTCA and the recorded webinar. Please register for the Tribal Q&A session with the link provided below. If your tribe cannot attend the Q&A session but would like more information about the project, is interested in participating in the plan’s development, or would like to schedule a time to discuss with staff, email Tribal.Liaison@wildlife.ca.gov. Registration Form for Live Q&A Session on Dec. 14, 2023 Timeline for Tribal Collaboration November 21, 2023 - Informational Webinar Recording Released December 14, 2023 (6:30-7:30 pm) - WJTCA Live Tribal Question and Answer Session February 2024 - CDFW-Sponsored facilitated meetings for participating Tribes March-April 2024 - One-on-One Consultation Meetings with CDFW and each participating Tribe New CDFW WJT Conservation Logo! CDFW has a new logo for our Western Joshua Tree conservation efforts. The logo includes western Joshua trees in the 3 different size classes, a color palette representing a beautiful Mojave Desert sunset, and a mantra that symbolizes the spirit of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act. Other WJT Questions? Please email WJT@wildlife.ca.gov if you have any other questions regarding CDFW's WJT conservation efforts. Email Us Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the EEO Office at (916) 902-9097, or send an email to EEO@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Newly Acquired Land through WJT Conservation Fund benefits Native American Tribes and WJT Thursday, October 5, 2023 View as a webpage / share October 5, 2023 First Acquisition through Western Joshua Tree Conservation Fund CDFW, in cooperation with the Native American Land Conservancy, has made its first purchase of western Joshua tree habitat using the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Fund. In September, CDFW acquired more than 280 acres of western Joshua tree habitat near the Kern River Valley east of Bakersfield. The acquisition will benefit local tribes through career opportunities and provide tribal access to culturally significant lands. CDFW is now working with the Conservancy on long-term protection and management of the property. “The western Joshua tree is an important species both culturally and ecologically,” said CDFW Deputy Director Josh Grover. “CDFW hopes this is the first of many efforts to use the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Fund to protect western Joshua tree habitat and further cooperative working relationships with tribes.” Western Joshua trees occur across a large portion of California’s desert. However, species distribution models suggest that over the next hundred years much of the tree’s range may no longer be viable habitat. Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s enactment of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA) in July, CDFW and the California Natural Resources Agency have begun implementing the WJTCA, which includes establishment and use of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Fund primarily for acquiring, conserving and managing western Joshua tree conservation lands. “We are honored to be working with the Kern Valley Indian Community, the Tübatulabals of Kern Valley and CDFW on this important project. Through the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Fund, we have been able to secure a site sacred to these tribes that will serve as mitigation land for the western Joshua tree. Native American Land Conservancy hopes our continued work in this area and on Joshua tree conservation will also provide career opportunities for local tribal members who must be vital contributors to the efforts to ensure this species’ survival into the future,” said Native American Land Conservancy President Michael Madrigal. For more information on NALC visit: nativeamericanland.org For more on CDFW’s western Joshua tree program visit: wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Environmental-Review/WJT Other WJT Questions? If you have any other WJT questions, please email WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Email Us Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the EEO Office at (916) 902-9097, or send an email to EEO@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. WJTCA Incidental Take Permit Applications Now Available Friday, September 22, 2023 View as a webpage / share September 22, 2023 Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act Incidental Take Permit Applications The recently passed Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA) introduces a new type of permit– the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act incidental take permit (WJTCA ITP) - for authorizing the incidental take of western Joshua trees for renewable energy, housing, public works, and other projects. These new WJTCA ITPs are different from traditional incidental take permits in that permittees pay statutorily prescribed fees for each tree taken during a project in lieu of completing traditional compensatory mitigation actions (e.g., conserving habitat management lands). The fees collected will be used for western Joshua tree conservation actions such as the purchase, protection, and management of western Joshua tree conservation lands, or other activities to conserve the western Joshua tree. CDFW is now accepting WJTCA Incidental Take Permit Applications To apply for a WJTCA ITP: Review the WJTCA ITP process guide Perform the WJT Census Fill out the application form Assemble and submit documents to your regional office. CDFW has prepared instructions on how to conduct the census and some helpful resources for creating maps in Google Earth. For large projects, CDFW has developed a Survey123 form to assist data collection and submittal. Visit the WJT Conservation Permitting website for more information including instructions on where and how to submit applications and other helpful tools. Western Joshua Tree Conservation Permitting Other WJT Questions? For all other Western Joshua Tree questions, please email us at WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Email Us Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the EEO Office at (916) 902-9097, or send an email to EEO@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Western Joshua Tree Conservation Fund - Request for Qualifications Friday, September 15, 2023 View as a webpage / share September 15, 2023 Western Joshua Tree Conservation Fund Request for Qualifications CDFW/NFWF are looking for partners to help conserve western Joshua trees! The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act states that CDFW may retain one or more consultants to assist in locating, acquiring, conserving, and managing conservation lands and completing other conservation activities. On September 15th, NFWF released a Request for Qualification (RFQ) to find consultants to assist CDFW with: 1) fee title and conservation easement acquisitions and other durable protections of WJT habitat lands to legally protect them 2) enhancement, restoration, management, and/or monitoring of both WJT habitat lands that are acquired and protected and such lands that are already legally protected but that would benefit WJT populations by being enhanced, restored, managed and/or monitored. Important Dates Request for Qualifications – Sept. 15th RFQ Webinar - Sept. 26th @ 11am PST [Click Here to Register] Full proposals due Oct. 20th @ 11am PST Selections by Jan. 26th The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Fund was established to receive deposits of fees paid by permittees for their authorized impacts to and/or taking of western Joshua tree in lieu of completing their respective mitigation obligations on their own, and deposits of other funding to support the conservation of the species. Monies in the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Fund are for the purposes of acquiring, conserving, and managing lands that are suitable habitat for the western Joshua tree and completing other activities to address threats to the western Joshua tree. The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Fund is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) for CDFW. For more information, visit the link below: NFWF WJTCF Request for Qualifications Other WJT Questions? For all other questions, please email us at WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Email Us Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the EEO Office at (916) 902-9097, or send an email to EEO@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. WJTCA Permit Delegation Agreements Wednesday, September 6, 2023 View as a webpage / share September 6, 2023 Desert landscape with sun setting behind a western Joshua tree near Saddleback Butte State Park, east of Lancaster, California. Photo: angeldibilio (Adobe Stock #454626260) Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act Delegation Agreements The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA) allows CDFW to enter into agreements with cities and counties to delegate to those local jurisdictions the ability to authorize the taking of western Joshua trees that are hazardous (by way of Hazard Management Permits). CDFW may also enter into agreements with cities and counties to allow those local agencies to authorize the taking of western Joshua trees to allow for the development of certain single-family and multifamily residences, accessory structures, and public works projects (by way of WJTCA Incidental Take Permits). Incidental Take Permits issued by cities and counties will be eligible for the reduced mitigation fee rate, provided the trees are not within 2 miles of Joshua Tree National Park or any unit in the California State Parks system. The delegation agreements for Hazard Management Permits are now available and the delegation agreements for WJTCA Incidental Take Permits will be available soon. Cities and counties wishing to enter into WJTCA delegation agreements with CDFW should contact WJT@wildlife.ca.gov. WJT Questions? For other Questions, please email WJT@wildlife.ca.gov Email Us Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the EEO Office at (916) 902-9097, or send an email to EEO@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Western Joshua Tree Hazard Management Permits Now Available! Thursday, August 10, 2023 View as a webpage / share August 10, 2023 WJTCA Hazard Management Permits CDFW is pleased to announce that Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act Hazard Management Permits are now available! These permits are issued to property owners for the purpose of removing or trimming dead western Joshua trees or trimming living western Joshua trees if each dead tree or live or dead limb to be removed meets at least one of the following conditions: Has fallen over and are within 30 feet of a structure. Is leaning against an existing structure. Creates an imminent threat to public health or safety. To apply for a free permit, visit the WJT Conservation Permitting website to download a copy of the application form and submit it, along with photos of the tree(s) and/or limb(s) proposed for trimming/removal, to WJTHazardPermit@wildlife.ca.gov. For more information on how to apply please visit WJT Hazard Management Permits. Desert Native Plant Specialists With a hazard management permit, a dead western Joshua tree that is detached or a detached limb may be removed by the property owner. Trimming or removal of attached western Joshua trees must be completed by a desert native plant specialist. Under the WJTCA, a desert native plant specialist is defined as an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), or an individual with at least five years of professional experience with relocation or restoration of native California desert vegetation. Certified arborists can be found on the ISA website at: Find an Arborist (treesaregood.org). A professional native California desert plant relocation or restoration specialist can usually be found working for landscaping companies or environmental consulting firms throughout Southern California. What about permits for non-hazard trees? To remove, relocate, or trim non-hazard trees, a WJTCA Incidental Take Permit or California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit will be required. We are currently finalizing the WJTCA Incidental Permit application materials and it is expected to be made available soon. In the meantime, please visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Western Joshua Tree website for more information. Other WJT Questions? For all other questions, please email WJT@wildlife.ca.gov. Email Us Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the EEO Office at (916) 902-9097, or send an email to EEO@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately.