Our report, "Economic Oasis: Revealing the True Value of the Mojave Desert [1]," is full of photos and facts that can help you understand the economic values of the ecologically and culturally rich California desert lands, the home of the Mohave ground squirrel.

Defenders seeks Federal endangered status of Mohave ground Squirrel and is working in numerous ways to study the squirrels and their status, to protect their habitat and to develop effective conservation strategies.

Defenders submitted comments on the West Mojave Habitat Conservation Plan’s affect on the ground squirrel, as well as landfill and Hyundai track development projects. The West Mojave Plan did not identify areas of suitable habitat, nor did it have specified habitat requirements or target regions for land acquisition for conservation of the Mohave Ground Squirrel.

Detailing the Status of the Mohave Ground Squirrel

In spite of its protected status under the California Endangered Species Act, very little is known of its habitat extent and needs. In many areas within its historic range, there are no recent records. Unfortunately this lack of information is a detriment to the development of a conservation strategy for the species. Defenders staff and Mohave ground squirrel scientists are developing a strategy to detail the current status of this species.

Military Activities and the Ground Squirrel

Defenders is in dialogue with the military regarding their Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) program at the National Training Center (NTC) and Fort Irwin, CA Army installation.  Fort Irwin is interested in conservation partnerships to protect threatened and endangered species while also preventing future development encroachment that may restrict its current training mission.  Defenders sees potential to utilize this program to secure lands critical to the Mohave ground squirrel and will continue to advise the military and potential purchases for mitigation.

Defenders and the Technical Advisory Group

Defenders is currently working with the Mohave Ground Squirrel Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to develop the most effective conservation strategy for the ground squirrel based on expert opinions in the field and increased biological monitoring activities in both military and non-military (private) lands.

Visit our Species at Risk: Mohave Ground Squirrel page to learn more about what Defenders is doing to protect Mohave ground squirrels.