What the San Bernardino County government is doing to Joshua Tree is a disgrace — foolishly marring what should be the County’s crown jewel.
The National Park’s attendance has soared in the last two years, and our area’s profile continues to rise (fwiw) with a steady stream of national media profiles — New York Times, National Geographic, GQ, countless fashion shoots, etc. — with more to come.
Yet the County is working to diminish Joshua Tree, piece by piece.
First, they approved a Dollar General store. Then, they approved two large fenced industrial solar fields in sight of the Park. Now, they’ve approved a developer’s plan (“Alta Mira”) to bulldoze wilderness to put in gated, high-density housing.
Since Joshua Tree is unincorporated, our village has zero power over these decisions. So, we file lawsuits, which we fund out of our small community’s pockets. What’s happening here is heartbreaking.
Please help out, if you can…
STOP ALTA MIRA — gofundme
About Jay Babcock
I am the co-founder and editor of Arthur Magazine (2002-2008, 2012-13) and curator of the three Arthur music festival events (Arthurfest, ArthurBall, and Arthur Nights) (2005-6). Prior to that I was, amongst other things, a district office staffer for Congressman Henry A. Waxman, a DJ at Silver Lake pirate radio station KBLT, a copy editor at Larry Flynt Publications, an editor at Mean magazine, and a freelance journalist contributing work to LAWeekly, Mojo, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Vibe, Rap Pages and many other print publications and online outlets. An extended piece I wrote on Fela Kuti was selected for the Da Capo Best Music Writing 2000 anthology. In 2006, I was one of five Angelenos listed in the Music section of Los Angeles Magazine's annual "Power" issue. In 2007-8, I wrote a blog called "Nature Trumps," about the L.A. River. Today, I live a peaceful life in the rural wilderness of Joshua Tree, California, where I am a partner in JTHomesteader.com with Stephanie Smith.
