The Valley Chronicle - Veterans Urge Protections for California Desert Public Lands

Joshua Tree, CA – Today, a group of veterans will call for the protection of California desert public lands at an event in Joshua Tree. This event takes place as public lands face unprecedented threats from Washington, D.C. and multiple attempts to privatize and sell-off these places. The California desert, which includes millions of acres of public lands, is a part of the nation’s military history, supports small businesses and helps create jobs, and provides places where veterans and others spend time outdoors.

Over the past year, there have been multiple attempts to pass legislation that would sell-off public lands acres nationwide, including in California, and the mass firings of agency employees who were responsible for managing these places. More recently, Steve Pearce, a longtime advocate for the privatization and sale of public lands, was nominated to lead the Bureau of Land Management. If confirmed, he will be responsible for millions of acres of California desert public lands.

“Veterans work as wildland firefighters, park rangers, land managers, and biologists,” said Janessa Goldbeck, Chief Executive Officer, Vet Voice Foundation and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran. “Thousands more veterans build small businesses around public lands - as guides, outfitters, outdoor instructors, tourism operators, and more. Threats to these places are a threat to how many veterans make a living. This issue is not theoretical. It is about paychecks, pensions, mortgages, and family stability.”

At the event today, Chemehuevi Indian Tribe Chairman Emeritus Glenn Lodge will speak to the significance of California desert public lands, both a tribal leader and a veteran of the U.S. Army. According to the State of California, Native Americans comprise 10% of California’s total veteran population and have highest per-capita involvement (five times the national average) of any population in the U.S. military.

“California desert public lands are our homelands,” said Chairman Emeritus Glenn Lodge, Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, and U.S. Army Special Forces Veteran. “We have stewarded these places from time immemorial and we have served our nation abroad as well. We stand against any threats to our desert lands as they are threats to our very way of life. These places take care of us and we must take care of them.”

The California desert is also a place where many veterans seek solace and time in the outdoors after returning from service. Veterans often find significant mental and physical health benefits from time in nature.

The connection of veterans to the California desert is especially significant because of its military heritage. During World War II, the California desert became part of the broader Desert Training Center, where General George Patton prepared American troops for harsh desert warfare abroad. Hundreds of thousands of American soldiers came to the Desert Training Center and traces of this history can still be found and honored in the California desert.

Over the past year, Vet Voice Foundation has heard from many military veterans who are concerned with how rollbacks to public lands will impact beloved hunting, fishing, and camping spots, as well as the small businesses and local economies that depend on visitors to these places. Today’s event in the desert is a call to action for elected officials and leaders to listen to veterans about why public lands should be protected.

“Support for public lands is broadly bipartisan,” added Janessa Goldbeck, Chief Executive Officer, Vet Voice Foundation and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran. “With public lands under unprecedented attack right now, veterans are leading the charge to ensure public land that belongs to all Americans remains in public hands.”