Delegation Questioning Wildlife Die-Off At Joshua Tree Nat’l Park

Joshua Tree National Park, in all its natural beauty, is in danger. Park rangers have said to visitors that they have seen more of the iconic Joshua trees dying off than ever before, many of which litter the national park

There are many theories into what’s causing it. Still, it remains a mystery.

One theory:climate change is causing more fires the Joshua trees can’t recover from. Air pollution from Los Angeles may be another cause.

The endangered desert tortoise isn’t doing that well, either.

Congressman Raul Grijalva of Tucson, Arizona chairs a House subcommittee on national parks. He came to Twentynine Palms to hear from environmental experts.

“Every region is different. Every region has something. And to think there could be a generation that wouldn’t be able to experience it is our motivation,” said Congressman Grijalva during the tour of the park Tuesday.”We want to make sure it’s around for the next generation for people to be able to say, “This is part of my legacy, too. This is what it means to have an American national park.”

But former ABC newsman John Coleman says these experts are wrong. Climate change is not man-made.

“There is no significant man-made global warming or climate change at this time,” Coleman contended.”There has not been any in the past, and there is little reason to fear any in the future.”

The lessons learned at Joshua Tree National Park may inspire visiting Washington politicians to do something.

“Listening to this, the testimony of some of the issues opened up some other questions in my mind about what my subcommittee can do; or be able to work with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Park Service, the USGS,” said Congresswoman Grace Napolitano of NorwalkinNorthern California.”With all the agencies, how much are they doing? How much are they working together?”