Oswit Land Trust (OLT) announced the acquisition of 639 acres in Indio Hills. The land was purchased for $4 million using funds from a Section 6 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and funding from the California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB).
The property, referred to as Happy Valley, is an undisturbed alluvial fan with diverse vegetation and significant value to native wildlife. It is an important migration corridor between Greater Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park that is critical for the endangered Mojave Desert tortoise, which has historically been reported within the property boundaries. This property also creates an important buffer zone for all wildlife since it abuts land that is already protected on two sides.
Jane Garrison, Founder and Executive Director of Oswit Land Trust, says, “The acquisition of the Happy Valley property is so important for its biological value, vulnerability to destruction, critical wildlife habitat, and proximity to already conserved land, which creates a necessary wildlife corridor. It is the perfect acquisition for wildlife.”
In its statement about the acquisition, Oswit Land Trust expressed its gratitude to the landowners who agreed to allow it to apply for grants to purchase the property. This process can take up to two years and can’t be done without the willingness and patience of landowners. The property was slated for development but is now protected in perpetuity.
Oswit Land Trust is a 501C3 land trust based in Palm Springs that focuses on saving the fragile desert ecosystems in Greater Palm Springs and throughout Southern California.
