Two of Joshua Tree National Park’s most popular hiking spots, Rattlesnake Canyon and Barker Dam, are now off-limits, thanks to emergency closure by the park because of a wave of graffiti attacks. Both of the areas were recently covered with spray-painted by individuals who posted their work on Facebook and other social sites, which then [ more... ]

Take a bow, heroes. A 623-acre parcel of land that abuts Joshua Tree National Park was purchased by conservation groups (with help from the U.S. military) to prevent a development of 2,400 tightly packed homes. The land will be protected, open to hikers, horseback riders, and dog walkers. Conservationists hailed the purchase for defending wildlife [ more... ]

U2 frontman Bono has finally achieved the fame he’s so long sought. A biologist at Auburn University in Alabama discovered 33 new species of trapdoor spider, and he named one of the three that were found in the Mojave Desert after Bono. Prior the discovery, only 7 species of the trapdoor spider were known worldwide. [ more... ]

Beginning yesterday, Joshua Tree National Park contractors started digging up 800 Cholla Cactus plants in advance of a road-straightening project taking place in the park. A particularly windy road will be straightened, and the plants will be put back alongside it. Park officials predict a 75 to 80% survival rate. What doesn’t make sense in [ more... ]