Holistic Ecological Engagement
Private Land Monitoring | Environmental Studies
30 mins east of Indio, CA
50 mins east of Palm Springs
Desert Stewards Community and Environmental Projects
in cooperation with General Patton Museum
The following projects are in process of organization and funding. We hope to have greater direction, information and progress reports as they projects manifest.
If you or someone you know would like to volunteer or provide support, please call or email to discuss. We are grateful.
Share it - Historical, Cultural and Environmental Education
The land is sacred, and the water is life. Many people have made this Reserve Area their home. The progression of colonization and multicultural influences in Southern California Deserts has history from many perspectives and various degrees of sustainable life.
Environmental preservation and stewardship are vital to maintain habitat health within the Desert Tortoise Linkage Reserve Management Unit. This area is historically used for offroad wilderness access with OHVs including licensed and non-licensed vehicles. Additionally, the area is used by campers mostly on BLM land with limitations, gun shooting, often close to trails.
Desert Training Center History, General Patton and wars
Precolonial Native history, Cahuilla et.al.
Pioneer and Chiriaco History
Water in the Desert (CSWD, MWD pipeline and Victory Palms spring water, also CVWD)
Utilities (Socal Gas, Edison, IUD, MWD, ATT transcontinental cable)
Wildlife featured within the CVMSHCP and found within the Desert Tortoise Linkage Reserve Management Unit)
Plants and woodland types featured within the CVMSHCP and found within the DTLRMU.
Desert Tortoise and Raven awareness and protection
Partners: Chiriaco Summit, GP Museum, NPS, Riverside County, Desert Stewards
Desert Clean - Interstate 10 Adopt a Highway Cleanups
Chiriaco Summit, CA is located 30 miles east of Indio. There are 5 remote highway interchanges within the Desert Tortoise Linkage Reserve Management Area. A project is being develooped in cooperation with CalTrans, Riverside County Hazmat, Chiriaco Summit, General Patton Museum and Desert Stewards to clean up and monitor these sites.
Interchanges: Cactus City Rest Area, Frontage Rd, Cottonwood/Box Canyon, Chiriaco Summit, Hayfield Rd
Project highlights:
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Cleanup of trash, car parts, tires, hazardous waste, and other dumped items. Quarterly or Annually as funding and need permits.
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Implementation of signs highlighting Fines for dumping and Kiosks for information about reporting crimes, and fines, as well as featuring the protection of the area within the DTLRMU.
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Featuring information on OHV influence and suggested speed limits and sensitive animals threatened by motorized activity.
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Work in cooperation with private land owners to post signs on private property around the heaviest cleanup sites.
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Organize volunteers or paid interns to provide support for the project in perpetuity.
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Organize grant funds and donations to the General Patton Museum to fund Desert Stewards and Interns or volunteers.
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Affect road closures, limit access, or post signs where illegal dumping is happening off of a paved or numbered dirt road.
Transects - Ecological observations and land monitoring
Utility roads transecting the Desert Tortoise Linkage Reserve offer an opportunity to monitor the public and private lands .
The following benefits can be gained by scheduled and emergency monitoring and engagement with Low Speed Electric Vehicles offered by Desert Stewards ecological transportation services, as well as a hybrid or electric trucks with larger rangers.
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Private and Public Land monitoring (including ohv use, camping, dumping, scouting, land evaluation, other issues or threats.
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Environmental observations and digital mapping (including wildlife sightings, invasive plants plant health, climate monitoring,
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Hydrological observation and data collection for understanding climate change and resilience of the ecosystem
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Trail signage and Kiosks at key intersections and along the roads and trails. Highlights are speed limits, sensitive habitat, wildlife information, discourage nighttime driving, slow signs.
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Utility monitoring and transportation access if needed for emergency or routine checks.
Partners: BLM, Private land owners, utility companies, Desert Stewards and Non-profit conservation partner for funding.