Mojave Desert Blog

A recent study published by the US Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center indicates that wind turbines kill certain species of bats possibly through direct impact but also because of significant changes in air pressure caused by the rotating blades.  This is an additional factor that needs to be considered in when assessing the impact of wind energy projects in the Mojave, such as the Granite Mountain site near Apple Valley.  Researchers are still studying what factors may be drawing the bats to wind turbines, and which species are the most vulnerable, but the study estimates that some sites may be responsible for the deaths of thousands of bats each year.  An increase in wind energy farms in the Mojave could significantly impact a key pollinator and insect predator.   Ideally research will be able to identify what is causing the deaths and inform the siting and design of wind energy farms so that this renewable energy source can be tapped.  Bird and bat deaths aside, wind

In my post on 1 February, Phantoms of Mojave Desert Transportation Projects , I noted the relatively quiet state of two major transportation projects that would impact the Mojave Desert, to include the high speed rail line titled the "Desert Xpress".  In the post, I surmised that since Federal funds were allocated for the LA-San Francisco line that may have doomed the prospects of the Desert Xpress, which would connect Victorville with Las Vegas.  In the past couple of weeks developments seem to have given new life to both the Desert Xpress and a Mag-Lev train concept, despite the diversion of Federal funds to the LA-SF line. Even though some political opponents termed the project the "Sin City Express" and derided the use of funds as wasteful. Although the wasteful spending claims create political reluctance, the project actually would have some political traction otherwise because Nevada Democrat Harry Reid and California Republicans Jerry Lewis and others would

There is a lot of hype for this Spring's Mojave Desert wildflower bloom, and admittedly I feed into that hype.  Being anxious to see how it turns out but unable to fast-forward time, I decided to rewind and review past blooms, although admittedly the two photos below were taken in early January 2008, so no quite spring.

With all of the East Coast-centric press reporting on Punxsutawney Phil and his weather predictions, I have to give an obligatory shout-out to Mojave Max the Desert Tortoise.  Actually, that's tortoises (plural) because there are two Mojave Max (talk about identity theft), one residing at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area outside of Las Vegas and another in Palm Desert, CA.  I would personally dispute the Palm Desert tortoise's claim to the Mojave title since I believe the exhibit technically falls within the Colorado Desert (as does part of Joshua Tree National Park), but that would ruin it for the kids.  So let's hope that both Mojave Max in California and Nevada will enjoy a spring season with bountiful wildflowers!  You can read more on Mojave Max at the Desert Tortoise Recovery Office website .

A distrustful Thrasher at Teutonia Peak, Mojave National Preserve  (although any bird watchers out there can correct me on the bird species!)

I found reference to an interesting documentary that is scheduled to air in Utah on KUED called "Wilderness: The Great Debate" looking at the same sort of questions that are coming up in current Mojave Desert land use discussions.   The documentary examines wilderness policy in Utah and attempts to capture the views of various stakeholders, to include ORV riders, conservationists, locally elected officials and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.   The synopsis is available on KUED's website , but if anyone knows if it will air elsewhere please let me know.

It's been eerily quiet on the public policy side of two major transportation projects impacting both the east and west Mojave Desert.  I was reminded about these projects when the President announced funding for high speed rail lines throughout the country.  California received nearly 2 billion dollars to begin development of a high speed rail line between San Francisco and Los Angeles.  This would suggest that State and Federal authorities have at least temporarily side-lined the "Desert Xpress", which was a planned high speed rail line from Los Angeles to Las Vegas (a multi-billion dollar project to usher vacationers to the gambling capital of the US seems out of place in today's climate!).  That said, there still seems to be some private capital behind the project, so it's likely to pop up again.  If the line follows Interstate 15 it's impact on the desert's biological resoures could be minimal, however The second project is the Hi-Desert Corridor (E

The Desert Tortoise Council is organizing it's 35 Annual Meeting and Symposium in Ontario, CA from 25-28 February.  The symposium will include guest speakers from the Center for Biological Diversity, BLM, and energy interests to discuss the impacts of the renewable energy rush on the Mojave Desert.  There will also be a field trip to a Desert Tortoise critical habitat area.  You can get more information at the Desert Tortoise Council website .  Note that the symposium also includes a call for research papers and a photo contest!