NEWS UPDATES: ARCHIVES

UPDATE to Comment Period for National Fixed Anchor Policy

Joshua Tree National Park To Hold Community Meetings

Joshua Tree National Park staff invites the public to attend a meeting exploring future park management strategies related to visitation and capacity issues. The park will host three open house...
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Climb Smart 2019 registration cranking

Climb Smart 2019 registration cranking

Big Thanks to all the early bird registrants out there! If you aren't yet registered, this note is for You... Please Join Us to kick off the climbing season right...
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FOJT spotted around town

FOJT spotted around town

Summer is the time where Friends Of Joshua Tree gets out into the broader SoCal community to spread awareness, education and stewardship mindedness. Not everyone knows about JOSAR, or HARP...
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Climb Smart 2019 Registration Open and building momentum early

Climb Smart 2019 Registration Open and building momentum early

Have you been to a Climb Smart in Joshua Tree event before? If so, then you know the incredible value of being with like-minded climbers to kick off the season...
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Raptor Closures in Effect Spring 2019

Raptor Closures in Effect Spring 2019

Heads up intrepid JTree climbers... it's raptor closure season. As good stewards of our public lands, let's give these special creatures lots of room to do their nesting and fledging...
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Gear Up and Give Back! REI steps up for FOJT this month

Gear Up and Give Back! REI steps up for FOJT this month

Friends Of Joshua Tree has been chosen as one of 3 grantees being promoted throughout Southern California as part of the 'Loving Our Local Outdoors' initiative, a national REI program...
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UPDATE – $10k in grants provided by FOJT and JTNPA

UPDATE – $10k in grants provided by FOJT and JTNPA

See a clip of John Lauretig, FOJT Executive Director, announcing the grants given to some NPS contract employees (Great Basin Institute).  This news just broke on The Desert Sun... images...
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FOJT launches Impact Relief Fund – providing grants to furloughed contract workers

FOJT launches Impact Relief Fund – providing grants to furloughed contract workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 14, 2019   MEDIA CONTACT: Kenji Haroutunian, phone number, info@friendsofjosh.org   Friends Of Joshua Tree provides grants to furloughed workers via launch of Impact Relief Fund...
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JTNPA Gratitude event Feb. 12, and Images From The Shutdown

The Joshua Tree National Park Association is hosting a community day of celebration to honor those who helped support during the latest government shutdown. Tuesday, February 12, 2019 Welcome Address...
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JTNP open fully staffed; FOJT loan program extended to JTNP furlough-affected Contractors

For at least the next 3 weeks, things will be somewhat back to normal in the Park; the JTNP staff will be back in full service to both the Park...
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FOJT launches new Loan Program for JTNP furloughed staff

FOJT launches new Loan Program for JTNP furloughed staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 17, 2019   MEDIA CONTACT: Kenji Haroutunian, 310-489-3281, info@friendsofjosh.org     Friends of Joshua Tree Offers Loans to Furloughed Park Staff at Joshua Tree National Park...
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Pictures = 1000 Words; 2018 highlights

Here is the best of FOJT's 2018 in pictures- wishing all of you a wonderful Holiday season, and if you're feeling generous at any level, please support our work. Right...
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Climb Smart 2018 finishes as one for the Record books

Through the most powerful storm in Climb Smart history (23 years!), attendees and volunteers persevered to have a great time, contribute mightily to the Friends Of Joshua Tree mission and...
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Joshua Tree Climbing Ranger Injured in Fall

Joshua Tree Climbing Ranger Injured in Fall

Our friend and superstar Park advocate Bernadette Regan has been severely injured in a fall while climbing in Joshua Tree. She is stable, but has a rough road to recovery...
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what is #safeoutside?

what is #safeoutside?

Read about it here...  #SafeOutside is the first in-depth effort to examine and work toward positive change related to sexual harassment and sexual assault in the climbing community. Over 5000...
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REGISTER FOR CLIMB SMART 2018

REGISTER FOR CLIMB SMART 2018

Signups are in full swing for the 23rd annual FOJT Climb Smart (Oct. 12-14) in Joshua Tree, CA! This event will very likely sell out so take advantage now and support...
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Climb Smart 2018 set for Oct. 12-14 at JT Lake and JTNP

Climb Smart 2018 set for Oct. 12-14 at JT Lake and JTNP

The Climb Smart climbers' 3-day festival and Friends Of Joshua Tree fund-raiser is officially set for Friday - Sunday October 12-14, 2018; the 23rd annual staging launches the season with...
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Raptor Nesting closures for Spring 2018

Raptor Nesting closures for Spring 2018

UPDATE March 20- A new closure to climbing to protect nesting raptors has taken effect on Jerry's Quarry, in the Geology Tour Road area. Nesting Owls on this crag.  Avoid...
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Coffee and JT Climbing Stewards; an Update

Coffee and JT Climbing Stewards; an Update

by Bernadette Regan Since 2009, Climbers Coffee has served over 29,000 cups of coffee, cocoa, and tea.  Sometimes, climbers new to the scene will take a sip then expectantly smile...
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2nd Government Shutdown in 5 years affects Park access in peak season

With the current federal government shutdown, there are many questions about access to recreation resources inside the Park. Last time there was a government shutdown, the Park was closed continuously...
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