Graffiti has turned up in several areas of Joshua Tree National Park. This is in Rattlesnake Canyon/NPS, Ben Theisen
Graffiti clowns have been frequent visitors this year to Joshua Tree National Park, where they wielded cans of spray paint and other tools to vandalize areas of the park.
There have been a number of cases since January where graffiti has turned up in places such as Rattlesnake Canyon, the Skull Rock Nature Trail, and along Geo Tour Road.
"Joshua Tree National Park belongs to all of us. Using paint or chisels on rocks and trees destroys the beauty we are trying to protect in our parks," said Joshua Tree Superintendent David Smith in a release issued Tuesday. "It is our hope that anyone with knowledge of these incidents will come forward so that we can eliminate future problems. It is illegal to deface any of the resources in the park."
Anyone with information about these incidents, or the persons involved, should contact the park’s law enforcement staff by emailing the chief ranger at [email protected].
Joshua Tree officials are asking for help from visitors who spot graffiti or any other form of vandalism; they can call the park or email [email protected]. The park also relies heavily on the efforts of volunteers to patrol areas of the park. Park volunteers help with a variety of essential tasks, including staffing park visitor centers, managing campgrounds, and helping clean up graffiti. Opportunities are available on volunteer.gov. Most volunteer opportunities are best-suited for people who can provide long-term time commitment to the park.
Vandals also hit Joshua Tree, which straddles the geographic divide in California that splits the Mojave Desert from an element of the Sonoran Desert, in January 2019 during the partial government shutdown, when they cut down at least one Joshua tree and drove out of bounds into the desert.
If you know Dess or Kris, the rangers at Joshua Tree National Park would like to talk to you/NPS, Ben Theisen
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Comments
People that do 'stuff' like this have no place in society! I'm pretty much an Old Testament kind of guy when it comes to punishment for this type of offense - maybe see how they like THEIR home spray painted - and maybe, for the sake of the future they should be neutered so their prodgeny can't replicate these acts! And this is after some jail time and serious fines!!
Not sure where it says that in the Bible...
How about starting a fund for the arrest of the vandals? I have no idea how to do it,but would be very willing to contribute.
I find it hard to believe how people would use their names to advertise their own stupidity.
Sad, disgusting, intolerable. Our national parks are sacred ground and must be protected for all generations to come. I hope these perpetrators are found and punished.
So I hope you are voting to reflect that belief! Have you seen what the administration is doing to these sites?
What Chip said ...
If you like me to remove the graffiti, I would be happy to for no cost. I recommend water blast with baking soda.
How about cutting off a hand, aka Saudi??
This is a travesty, but in the mean time Organ Pipe is being bulldozed for "the wall".
The paint on the rocks annoys me, the bulldozers make me furious.
The desecration in AZ is breaking my heart and all for a medieval idea of a wall.
Right! P O’d about grafitti but blazing hot about the Organ Cactus Sacred Grounds!
I was just down the road from the park. It's beautiful there. Why do some people have to tear things up?
I think the border wall is outrageous, especially at a place like Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument where I once spent a wonderful long Washington's Birthday weekend about 30 years ago. I understand the area's become a bit more dangerous - too bad. I believe the laws of the USA ought to be followed and enforced. The folks responsible for the vandalism at Joshua Tree National Park must be found and punished as severely as the law mandates. They are human garbage and should be treated as such. And let their example serve as a deterrent.
Facelift Joshua Tree 2020 Pick a weekend to clean the park.Just like they do in Yosemite.
I have dealt with this situation. I have tried all different methods, what works is paint stripper .follow instructions on back of the can.It works
This criminal activity is no different than burning down a church. Laws must be strengthened so people like this are charged with heavier fines and longer jail time. If these people are found, they will surely get a light slap on the wrists. Our own government officials promote this activity in our cities calling it graffiti art! Meanwhile our National Parks and federal lands are being destroyed by the very government that runs them with road construction, logging, mining, oil drilling, wildlife hunting, etc. All just as shameful.
to those who painted on these beautiful rocks: no one cares if you are in a relationship that you have to advertise this by spray painting a Joshua Tree boulder. next time post it in an ad in the paper or rent the small airplane to fly a banner over her house! Learn to appreciate what little we have left of natural landscape that is known as Joshua Tree monument. It’s up to all of us to do our part; do yours we’d appreciate it. Joshua Tree is a very special place, that’s where my husband and I were married. We want to keep it a special place for all. Thank you.
We need to create severe Federal laws against this. 5yr minimum in federal prison. 2-3 yrs for entering Natl park with spraypaint can. And then put some reward out. These scum will flip in a second for a few grand. This desecration of nature is beyond obscene.