Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Hundreds of Joshua trees burned during the government shutdown
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, November 24, 2025
A Joshua tree against a sky filled with smoke from the Apple Fire in 2020. NPS / Emily Hassell, Flickr ([link removed])
During the government shutdown, a fire burned ([link removed]) hundreds of Joshua trees in California's Joshua Tree National Park. According to ([link removed]) the Los Angeles Times, the fire occurred in an area of the park where Joshua trees are supposed to be able to live for the next 100 years, when most places in the park will no longer be suitable for the trees.
The area is one of the park’s densest Joshua tree woodlands, and is at a higher elevation than most of the park, making it a climate refuge for the iconic trees.
According to ([link removed]) a park firefighter, the fire began last month when a park visitor lit his toilet paper on fire. Firefighters stopped the fire at 72 acres, but many trees had already burned. The firefighter described it ([link removed]) as a “totally avoidable tragedy,” as rangers could have provided important education about fire safety had they not been furloughed or fired ([link removed]) during the shutdown.
The firefighter added that normally they would try to restore the habitat, but even with the government reopened, operations remain hobbled by permanent staff losses. These losses disproportionately affect conservation and restoration, including saving Joshua trees and desert tortoises.
“So we’re going to have to do less. We can’t do as much to save the trees,” he said ([link removed]) .
** Quick hits
------------------------------------------------------------
Hundreds of Joshua trees were scorched during the shutdown
Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
Why Montana fought to protect federal public lands and what's at stake if they are sold off
CBS News ([link removed])
Column: Endangered Species Act changes could cause American wildlife to go extinct
National Parks Experience ([link removed])
New Mexico delegation and Pueblo leaders ask Interior secretary to protect Chaco Canyon
KUNM ([link removed])
Minnesota nears deal to sell 80,000 acres of Boundary Waters land to Forest Service
Minnesota Star Tribune ([link removed])
In one week, Trump moves to reshape U.S. environmental policy
New York Times ([link removed])
Feds plan to revamp Endangered Species Act. What does that mean?
Wyoming Public Radio ([link removed])
Advocates seek protections for vanishing spiny lizard
Arizona Republic ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
------------------------------------------------------------
” This is not only a Pueblo issue, it's an American issue about history, heritage and a landscape recognized around the world.”
—Craig Quanchello, governor of the Picuris Pueblo and vice chairman of the All Pueblo Council of Governors, KUNM ([link removed])
** Picture This
------------------------------------------------------------
@usinterior ([link removed])
The tallest dunes in North America rise out of a landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes and high tundra at @greatsanddunesnps ([link removed]) in Colorado. The dunes move with the wind, and the surrounding valleys are full of elk, mountain streams, and wide-open meadows. It is one of those sights you have to see to believe.
Photo by Patrick Myers / NPS
============================================================
** Website ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** TikTok ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
Copyright © 2025 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.
Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
