Kelso desert protection act celebration

A special day for the CDPA

October 31st, 2019 marks the 25th anniversary of the California Desert Protection Act. The act that established Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, the Mojave National Preserve and 69 wilderness areas. While the National Parks are certainly highlights of the act, it also protected places like Mal Pais Mesa Wilderness and Suprise Canyon Wilderness. In total, the California Desert Protection Act increased protection for 8.6 million acres of the California desert. The incredible work of inspired citizens, Senator Feinstein, conservation groups, agency partners, cities, counties, recreation groups, and so many more allow us to enjoy places like this today.

Celebrate with Friends of the Inyo

Friends of the Inyo will be in Death Valley National Park on November 2nd, tabling, showing our current desert conservation work, and chatting with fellow desert enthusiasts. People from across southern California and the Eastern Sierra will be there for events and good times. We hope to see you there.

• Entrance fees waived Saturday Nov 2! (Full Schedule at nps.gov)
• 5-kilometer Fun Run/Walk: Go for a run with Superintendent Mike Reynolds. 8:00-9:00 a.m., meet at the Visitor Center parking lot.
• Cupcakes for Death Valley’s Birthday: Free cupcakes and remarks by NPS officials and special guests. 12:00-1:00 p.m.. at the Visitor Center patio.
• Expo Booths: Partner organizations will have displays and information. 12:00-1:00 p.m.. and 3:00-5:00 p.m.. in the Visitor Center patio.
• Retired Park Managers’ Roundtable (presentation): Former park superintendents will talk about the California Desert Protection Act with a question and answer session. 1:00-3:00 p.m.. in the Visitor Center Auditorium.
• Reptiles of the Mojave Desert: Learn about snakes, lizards, and more with Herpetologist Jason Wallace. 4:00-5:00 p.m.. in the Visitor Center Auditorium.

There are secrets waiting to be discovered around every corner of the desert. Secrets protected because of the California Desert Protection Act. To those about to explore, we salute you. Fellow Desert Rats, we’ll see you out there. (Or maybe not… Often when one enters the desert, the point is to see no one.) Happy 25 years of California Deserts and here’s to many more.