NEWS UPDATES: ARCHIVES

UPDATE to Comment Period for National Fixed Anchor Policy

Feedback on Climbing Plan: Deadline is March 13

Feedback on Climbing Plan: Deadline is March 13

TODAY We want your input on the Climbing Management Plan! Comment Now Comment Period DEADLINE: March 13, 2022 Friends of Joshua Tree is asking the general public and the climbing...
Read More
Holiday Greetings and Gratitude for Your Support

Holiday Greetings and Gratitude for Your Support

We at Friends Of Joshua Tree simply wish you a safe, memorable and adventurous Holiday Season and as we ring in 2022, and encourage a keen eye on recreating responsibly...
Read More
Climb Smart in JTree brings the community together this Nov. 5-7

Climb Smart in JTree brings the community together this Nov. 5-7

The climbing season will kick off soon in JTree, and this is an incredibly meaningful season in the history of climbing. Why? Well for one, JTNP has embarked on forming...
Read More

UPDATE- FOJT Executive Director John Lauretig on Z107.7 ‘Up Close with Gary Daigneault’

Listen to the latest from FOJT and the National Park embarking on an ambitious new Climbing Management Plan that will manage climbing in the Park for the foreseeable future (like,...
Read More

Hear Park Science officer talk CMP

Insights from our National Park leadership!  here’s a recent radio interview with JTNP Science Officer and interim Superintendent Jane Rodgers on the recent comment period and development of the Climbing...
Read More
Comment Period coming to an end for JTNP Climbing Management Plan- USE YOUR VOICE NOW

Comment Period coming to an end for JTNP Climbing Management Plan- USE YOUR VOICE NOW

NOTICE For all Climbers looking to weigh in on the Park’s Climbing Management Plan, currently in public feedback phase through June 13. YIKES, that's next week!    Please write to...
Read More

JTNP now taking comments on developing Climbing Management Plan- IMPORTANT info below!

In order for you to 'Know Before You Go', FOJT and Access Fund have teamed up to help put some important context into play before encouraging commentary from the climbing...
Read More
JTNP looking to engage climbers in Climbing Management Plan (CMP)

JTNP looking to engage climbers in Climbing Management Plan (CMP)

ACTION ALERT - Today Joshua Tree National Park announced they will be hosting a virtual meetup regarding the Climbing Management Plan, a document that will guide policy and resource education...
Read More
Climb Smart re-postponed to November 5-7, 2021

Climb Smart re-postponed to November 5-7, 2021

Out of an abundance of concern for safety and caring for the local community of Joshua Tree, Friends Of Joshua Tree's board of directors has decided to again postpone our...
Read More

Campgrounds open, Mask Mandate and Raptor Closures begin

Lots of good news and updates from JTNP during this busy climbing season. Here's the scoop-  CAMPGROUNDS are now open again, after the lockdown order was lifted last month. Most...
Read More

Happy MLK Day! and Fee Free too

Monday January 18 is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and we hope you all are getting some time out to enjoy time outdoors close to home. For those venturing...
Read More
Camping shutdown UPDATE Dec. 28-Jan. 3

Camping shutdown UPDATE Dec. 28-Jan. 3

Heads up all you Josh lovers!  Though the Park remains open to the public, camping is not being permitted due to COVID restrictions. If you have reservations, you'll likely hear...
Read More
Climb Smart 2020 rescheduled to April 16-18, 2021 due to rising COVID impacts

Climb Smart 2020 rescheduled to April 16-18, 2021 due to rising COVID impacts

  Friends Of Joshua Tree's board of directors has decided to push the Climb Smart event in Joshua Tree to April 16-18, 2021. The rising new case count in San...
Read More
Climb Smart 2020 Registration Open! Event runs fully in the Park Nov. 6-8, 2020

Climb Smart 2020 Registration Open! Event runs fully in the Park Nov. 6-8, 2020

   
Read More
UPDATE – Guidance for Responsible Recreation as Park re-opens

UPDATE – Guidance for Responsible Recreation as Park re-opens

UPDATE MAY 18, 2020 Joshua Tree National Park will re-open to visitors beginning Monday May 19, 2020. Due to expectations of crowding and extreme pressure on the gateway communities and...
Read More

Coronavirus Updates for Joshua Tree National Park

UPDATE MARCH 23- here's some coverage via USA TODAY and KCRW radio interview  featuring our own John Lauretig (Executive Director). Joshua Tree National Park still closed; FOJT strongly recommends not coming...
Read More

Feb. 28 Blackrock Symposium w JTNP Superintendent and Tourism Experts

The popular Black Rock Symposium will continue on Friday, February 28, 2020, to feature a panel-based symposium on relevant topics affecting Joshua Tree National Park and Gateway Communities. The second...
Read More
Alabama Hills Recreation Policy rework in play

Alabama Hills Recreation Policy rework in play

Friends of Joshua Tree supports Friends of The Inyo in this latest development on the Sierra Eastside; a collaborative effort between outdoor recreation advocates and land managers (in this case...
Read More
FOJT Board Retreat brings 2020 vision and plan forward

FOJT Board Retreat brings 2020 vision and plan forward

Dec. 29 photo John Lauretig What an amazing year it was for climbing, for Public Lands, for Joshua Tree National Park and for Friends Of Joshua Tree. From the impacts...
Read More

Climb Smart 2019 brings new partnership with LNT and Adaptive to light

The 24th staging of the FOJT Climb Smart Festival in Joshua Tree was a great gathering of climbers, outdoor enthusiasts and those who love and work to protect our unique...
Read More