How Camels Are Helping To Save California's Iconic Joshua Trees

California's Mojave Natural Preserve has had a very rough few years.

In 2020, the Dome Fire burned more than 43,000 acres of the area, and in 2023, the York Fire burned more than 93,000 acres. Between the two fires, an ecological disaster was left behind, more than 1.3 million of California's iconic Joshua trees were destroyed, and experts say the ones that did survive likely won't fully recover because of extensive damage.

The National Park Service has spent the last few years trying to help restore these Joshua Tree groves, using volunteers who span out across the landscape to plant new Joshua Tree sprouts, but the work is hard, and the materials needed are heavy and the impact of using cars and other equipment is less than ideal, so they have had a little help from what is likely nature's best seed distributor, the camel!

Dromedary camels (single hump), Bactrain camels (two humps) and a hybrid of both (called the F1), are being used in the area by volunteers like Jessica Lagusker to bring Joshua Tree sprouts to the are to help restore these groves. Camels can carry heavy loads, Joshua Tree sprouts are extremely heavy, and can cover long distances without disrupting the natural landscape, unlike vehicles, horses or donkeys, which makes it more likely these sprouts can take root and grow.

Amy spoke to Jessica Lagusker, a volunteer with the National Park Service for the Mojave Natural Preserve, who owns Chico, one of the camels that is helping with the effort this morning to talk about what they're doing to help bring back California's Joshua Trees. Listen to the interview below!