to announce the recipient of the 2022 Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation Award: Joan
Taylor. This prestigious award honors individuals or organizations who have made exceptional
achievements in leadership, protection, preservation, research, education, and stewardship,
contributing significantly to the conservation of California’s deserts. The date and location of the
award ceremony will be announced shortly.
Joan Taylor’s dedication spans over five decades, during which she has volunteered tirelessly to
preserve and protect the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. Her significant achievements include
pivotal roles in developing key conservation plans and initiatives such as the California Desert
Conservation Plan, the Coachella Valley Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan, and the
establishment of multiple national monuments, including Sand to Snow and Mojave Trails.
Her remarkable career is marked by her leadership and collaborative efforts with a diverse range
of stakeholders, including local and state governments, environmental organizations, and
indigenous tribes. Her ability to unite various groups to address conservation challenges has
resulted in transformative legislative and public policy outcomes, including the designation of
national monuments and the implementation of critical habitat conservation plans.
As we celebrate this year’s award, we also mark the 30th anniversary of the California Desert
Protection Act (CDPA). Joan Taylor played an integral role in the implementation and success of
the CDPA, signed into law in 1994, which established several national parks and preserves and
laid the foundation for ongoing conservation efforts.
In recognition of her substantial impact, the 2023 Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation
Award honors Joan Taylor’s unwavering commitment to desert preservation. Her work has
safeguarded millions of acres of desert landscapes, ensuring the protection of sensitive habitats
and species for future generations.
Joan Taylor joins a distinguished list of past awardees who have made significant contributions
to desert conservation: 2004 – Susan Luckie Reilly; 2005 – Larry & Donna Charpied; 2006 – David
Myers, The Wildlands Conservancy; 2007 – John Wohlmuth, Coachella Valley Association of
Governments; 2008 – Mark Jorgenson, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; 2009 – Dianne
Feinstein; 2010 – Owens Valley Committee; 2011 – Elden E. Hughes (posthumously awarded);
2012 – Steve & Ruth Rieman; 2013 – Dee & Betty Zeller; 2014 – Desert Protective Council (Terry
Weiner); 2015 – Nancy Karl; 2016 – Cindy Zacks; 2017 – Pat Flanagan; 2018 – Robin Kobaly, The
Summertree Institute; 2019 – David Lamfrom, National Park Conservation Association; 2020 – Dr.
Cameron Barrows; 2021 – Frazier Haney; and 2022 – Idavid Graficks.
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For further press information, call Jacqueline Guevara, Executive Director, Joshua Tree National Park Association at 760-361-9359.
