Superbloom & Star Party to Celebrate Mojave Trails National Monument Anniversary

29 Palms, CA – Amateur photographers and astronomers are set to descend on the Mojave Desert from February 8-10 to celebrate the third anniversary of Mojave Trails National Monument. The weekend’s festivities are open to the public: a photo-led talk by the monument manager, a 29 Palms birthday celebration, an Insta Meet and star gazing party, and volunteer stewardship. Events are being coordinated by Visit 29 Palms and the Mojave Desert Land Trust and will include the participation of the Bureau of Land Management.
 
February 12, 2019 marks the third anniversary of the designation of Mojave Trails National Monument, which at 1.6 million acres, is the largest national monument in the 48 contiguous states. Linking Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave National Preserve, Mojave Trails National Monument provides critical wildlife corridors, and protects archaeological and scientific wonders, stunning scenery, and important bighorn sheep and desert tortoise habitat. To celebrate the anniversary, Visit 29 Palms and the Mojave Desert Land Trust have planned events in Joshua Tree, 29 Palms, and within the monument at Amboy Crater.
 
Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark is an incredible natural wonder, and an example of a very symmetrical volcanic cinder cone. It’s around 80,000 years old, and is one of the most pristine cinder cones in the Mojave Desert. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973. The crater used to be a popular stop for travelers on Route 66 between the 1920 and 1960s, before the I-40 was built. Mojave Trails National Monument is home not only to rugged mountain ranges, pristine sand dunes, historic Native America trading routes and incredible WWII history, it is also home to the longest, undeveloped stretches of the iconic Route 66. As the Mother Road, it is arguably the most famous highway in America—perhaps in the world. “Mojave Trails National Monument is a true desert experience. It has everything from pristine sand dunes and sweeping vistas to ghost towns and the open road. It is also a chance for people to experience utter silence. This weekend is a perfect opportunity to learn about everything these stunning public lands have to offer.” Jessica Dacey, Director of Communications, Mojave Desert Land Trust
 
“29 Palms is proud to be one of the gateway cities to Mojave Trails National Monument. At a time when our national parks are experiencing record visitation, we are thrilled to be able to offer visitors a chance to explore other incredible landscapes that are on our doorstep. Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark is the perfect backdrop for an Insta Meet and star party, and we are pleased to have 29 Palms Astronomy Club and the Bureau of Land Management joining in the events.” Breanne Dusastre, Director of Marketing and Tourism Development, Visit 29 Palms
 
Schedule of events:
 
Friday February 8th, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Campfire Talk and Photo Show with Kyle Sullivan, Mojave Trails National Monument Manager
Mojave Desert Land Trust Headquarters, 60124 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA
A photo essay highlighting the remarkable ecology of Mojave Trails National Monument and a discussion of the history and future of this incredible landscape.
 
 
Saturday February 9th, 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Mojave Trails Birthday Celebration in 29 Palms
29 Palms Visitor Center & Chamber of Commerce, 73484 Twentynine Palms Hwy, 29 Palms
Learn more about the City of Palms status as an official gateway community to Mojave Trails and Route 66. Celebrate with cake, MDLT Desert Adventure Kits, and meet Mojave Trails National Monument Manager Kyle Sullivan and 29 Palms Mayor Steven Bilderain.
 
Saturday February 9th, 4:00pm to 10:00pm
lnstaMeet and Star Party with BLM photographers and the 29 Palms Astronomy Club at Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark 
Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark, 16700 Crater Road, Amboy, CA 92304
Photograph the dynamic contrast of wildflowers and black lava at the Crater. BLM staff will be on hand to talk about public access opportunities and history. Then take a tour of the night sky with expert astronomers as they guide you through our celestial surroundings with large telescopes and binoculars. Follow along on Instagram #MeetUsonRoute66 #DiscovertheDesert 
 
Sunday February 10th, 7:00am to 11:00am
Trail maintenance and restoration at Amboy Crater 
Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark, 16700 Crater Road, Amboy, CA 92304
Volunteers are needed to help maintain and improve the 1.5-mile trail to Amboy Crater. This work includes defining and delineating the trail, constructing rock alignments and raking debris from the tread.
 
 
Media Contacts:
Visit 29 Palms
Breanne Dusastre, Director of Marketing and Tourism Development
Phone: (415) 827-0420
Email: bdusastre@29palms.org

​Mojave Desert Land Trust
Jessica Dacey, Director of Communications                                                          
Phone: (760) 820-2275
Email: jessica@mdlt.org
 
For more information:
https://www.visit29.org/mojave-trails-national-monument-anniversary-celebrations/

Mojave Trails National Monument Anniversary Celebrations - Visit 29
www.visit29.org
Join us for a three-day celebration Mojave Trails National Monument this February 8-10, 2019! Events include a Campfire Talk, Birthday Party, Insta Meet, Star Party, and Amboy Crater community trail work!



https://www.mdlt.org/events/

Upcoming Events - MDLT
www.mdlt.org
News. Here’s why you shouldn’t damage Joshua trees (if it’s not already obvious) “It’s heartbreaking to see these remarkable plants cut down,” Mojave Desert Land Trust Director of Plant Conservation Programs Madena Asbell said in an email.

The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to protect and care for lands with natural, scenic, and cultural value within the Mojave Desert. Since its founding in 2006 the land trust has conserved more than 72,00 acres, donating more tracts of land to the National Park Service in the last decade than any other organization. In addition to acquiring land, the land trust established a seed bank to ensure the preservation of native species. MDLT operates an onsite nursery at its Joshua Tree headquarters which propagates native species for ecosystem restoration. MDLT educates and advocates for the conservation of the desert, involving hundreds of volunteers in our work. For more information, visit mdlt.org.
 
Visit 29 Palms is the official tourism organization for the City of Twentynine Palms, a small desert city located in the Morongo Basin, California. Twentynine Palms is the proud home of Joshua Tree National Park Headquarters and north entrance, home to the 29 Palms Marine Base, and is an official gateway community to Mojave Trails National Monument and Route 66. Nestled in the Mojave Desert, its sprawling terrain is scattered with monolithic rocks and sprinkled with wildflowers during the spring season. Its skies are painted with color at dawn and dusk, with night skies bringing an abundance of stars and the stunning Milky Way. This friendly community attracts visitors and artists from all over the world who seek wide open spaces where peace and quiet flourish. Stargazing, hiking, rock climbing, wildlife, bird watching, wildflowers, cultural arts, events, food and lodging, desert hospitality and a rich history in 29! . . . It’s the perfect desert getaway. To learn more, visit Visit29.org