Estimated read time: Less than a minute
ST GEORGE — Devastated by fire in the mid-aughts, a once lush Joshua tree forest is now full of woody skeletons. However, multiple groups still have hope for this critical habitat.
And they got to work.
The Bureau of Land Management's habitat rehabilitation project began on Nov. 30 in the Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area and is expected to be completed by Dec. 7.
BLM wildlife biologist John Kellam coordinated the project to plant nursery-grown native plants in 25 acres of critical Mojave desert tortoise habitat damaged by fire.
On Saturday, the bureau hosted a community project day near Beaver Dam Wash's Woodbury Desert Study Area, with volunteer work coordinated by Fred Armstrong, Conserve Southwest Utah's stewardship coordinator.
"As (the) climate is changing and as habitats are changing due to man-caused fires, it's extremely important that we give a hand to rejuvenate or restore these landscapes, "Armstrong told St. George News.
