A project to install solar panels around the Mojave Desert has begun cutting down thousands of Joshua trees, much to the residents’ chagrin.
The Los Angeles Times reported several citizens across Boron and Desert Lake have begun noticing effects from the Aratina Solar Project, a 2,300-acre government-approved plan to produce clean energy through solar panels. The project is expected to produce 530 megawatts of renewable energy.
However, locals around the area voiced concerns not only about the loss of iconic landmarks but the devastation to the environment as well. Others warned about the threat of valley fever, a respiratory infection that could be caused by excessive dust from the construction.
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"I don’t want another town to go through this," resident Roy Richards said.
One nurse, Melanie Richardson, described it being "hard to even watch" the trees being cut down and hosted a rally on Saturday to counter the project.
"Nobody wants this to happen," she said.
Joshua trees have ordinarily been a protected species of tree. Avantus, the developer behind the project, received an exemption from Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Fish and Game Commission to clear the trees in 2020.
Avantus has said that it has been working to maintain the natural wildlife and will cut down fewer trees than were previously approved by the government. Despite this, the company has failed to quell critics, particularly since energy from the solar panels will be sent to wealthier communities.
A petition against the project was launched earlier this summer and currently has over 52,000 signatures.
"Ancient Joshua Trees are going extinct, and we must save them. The Aratina Solar Project in Boron, California, is approved to destroy nearly 4,000 ancient Joshua Trees in this forest…These iconic trees have stood for centuries, providing habitat for numerous species and contributing to the unique biodiversity of our region," the petition read.
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"Joshua trees are already under threat from climate change and human activities," it continued. "According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, these trees could lose 90% of their habitat by the end of this century if current trends continue. Allowing this project to proceed would accelerate their decline. We need sustainable energy solutions that do not come at the cost of irreplaceable natural treasures."
