For Immediate Release
Twentynine Palms, CA, July 2, 2022 – The Joshua Tree National Park Association is pleased to announce Frazier Haney, executive director of The Wildlands Conservancy, as the 2021 Minerva Hoyt Conservation Award recipient.
The purpose of this award is to recognize individuals or organizations that have made notable achievements in the areas of leadership, protection, preservation, research, education, and stewardship leading to a significant and lasting contribution on behalf of the deserts of California. The event date and location are yet to be determined.
A native of Joshua Tree, California, Frazier has been working to protect natural landscapes and people’s access to the outdoors for over 15 years, most recently as executive director of The Wildlands Conservancy based in Oak Glen, California. He grew up hiking, climbing, and camping in the California desert and the Midwest – a privilege that left him with a deep love of the outdoors. He holds a BS in Ecology and Evolution from UC Santa Cruz and an MBA from UC Riverside.
Frazier has played many roles in the preservation of our deserts. As a new college graduate, he took a job with The Wildlands Conservancy, under the direction of April Sall, as a ranger at the Pioneertown Mountains Preserve. He then moved to the Whitewater Preserve when it was acquired by Wildlands. He planned and supervised Whitewater’s conversion from trout farm to preserve. After knowing Whitewater was in good standing, he took a position with Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) with responsibility for raising funds for acquisitions. Through Frazier’s work, MDLT protected over 100,000 acres of the Mojave Desert. He then moved his primary focus to working with multiple partners to encourage President Obama to create Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow, and Castle Mountains National Monuments. Frazier brings unparalleled expertise in land use policy and advocacy. He has testified before Congress on behalf of California desert conservation and successfully collaborated with decision-makers in the Department of Interior. He volunteers for the California Desert Coalition and serves as the Environment representative on the Bureau of Land Management Desert Advisory Council (DAC).
Frazier shares his love of the desert and the outdoors with his wife Jamie – a Pacific Crest Trail throughhiker – and his beautiful children, Lily and Owen. We are honored to recognize Frazier Haney as the 2021 Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation Award winner.
Previous recipients of Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation Award are:
2004 Susan Luckie Reilly
2005 Larry & Donna Charpied
2006 David Myers and The Wildlands Conservancy
2007 John Wohlmuth and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments
2008 Mark Jorgenson, Superintendent of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
2009 United States Senator Dianne Feinstein
2010 Owens Valley Committee
2011 Elden E. Hughes
2012 Steven L. & Ruth Rieman
2013 Dee & Betty Zeller
2014 Terry Weiner and The Desert Protective Council
2015 Nancy Karl
2016 Cindy Zacks
2017 Pat Flanagan
2018 Robin Kobaly
2019 David Lamfrom
2020 Dr. Cameron Barrows
For further press information, call Jacqueline Guevara, Executive Director, Joshua Tree National Park Association – 760-367-553
