Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation has announced more than $13.5 million in grants to support transformative programs across the region and the nation. Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA) is honored to be selected as a recipient of the 2025 San Manuel Cares grant cycle, receiving $25,000 to enhance its Desert Plant Restoration Program: Rare Plant Program and promote health, safety, and resilience in the Joshua Tree National Park and surrounding communities.
“We are grateful to Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation for their investment in community wellbeing,” said Jacqueline Guevara, Executive Director of Joshua Tree National Park Association. “This grant will allow us to protect and preserve rare desert plant species, helping build a stronger, more resilient ecosystem for future generations.”
The funded program, Desert Plant Restoration Program: Rare Plant Program, aligns with the San Manuel Cares “Reinforcing Healthy and Resilient Communities” giving pillar. This pillar reflects a commitment to strengthening well-being through partnerships that advance physical, mental, and emotional health across all ages. It supports healthcare access, safety initiatives, disaster relief, and environmental education to foster strong, supported, and prepared communities.
The Rare Plant Program aims to document, protect, and preserve Joshua Tree National Park’s rare desert plant species, including those with medicinal, scientific, and cultural significance. This program will involve systematic monitoring, data analysis, volunteer engagement, and the development of a comprehensive conservation plan for rare plants, contributing to the long-term preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
“For over two decades, the call of Yawa’ — a Serrano value meaning ‘to act on one’s beliefs’ — has guided our giving programs and community efforts,” said Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. “We are proud to support organizations like Joshua Tree National Park Association that share our dedication to lasting impact.”
Since the early 2000s, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation has awarded more than $425 million through the San Manuel Cares program, investing in critical causes across Serrano Ancestral Lands and Indian Country.
About Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation
Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is a federally recognized Indian tribe located on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near Highland, California. The Tribe, formerly known as the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, proudly reclaims their ancestral name—Yuhaaviatam (pronounced “yu-HAH-vee-ah-tahm”)—honoring the deep-rooted heritage and enduring legacy of their people. Exercising their inherent sovereign right to self-governance, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is committed to providing essential services to their citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services, and promoting social, economic, and cultural development. As the Indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys, mountains, and high deserts, the Yuhaaviatam have called this region home since time immemorial and are committed to remaining a productive partner in the San Bernardino region. For more information, visit sanmanuel-nsn.gov.
