Nevada residents outraged as famed Joshua trees are bulldozed to make way for solar farm
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‘There’s 1,000-year-old trees out here,’ a resident complained. Nevada residents are rallying against a solar farm that bulldozed several Joshua trees. Local residents are concerned about the destruction of the Joshua trees, many of which are the species Yucca jaegeriana. Two endangered species, the desert tortoise and southwestern willow flycatcher, also live in the area — but a report from state officials says they likely won’t be impacted, 8 News Now reports.
The iconic desert “trees” — actually huge succulents — are cherished by many for their resiliency, and haunting shapes of shaggy trunks and spiky leaves. They’re a critical part of the desert ecosystem, providing habitat for birds, mammals, insects and lizards.
They were named after the biblical character Joshua by early Mormon settlers who believed the plants’ outstretched “arms” guided then on their journey west. “Even though it is private property, there’s 1000-year-old trees out here,” an unnamed Nevadan complained about the destruction of the trees to 8 News Now. “They’re just bulldozing with no regard.”.
Estuary Power responded to complaints that the company is setting aside thousands of acres to protect wildlife in the area. “Estuary Power is constructing the Escape Solar project on 900 acres of a 2,900-acre privately owned site in Lincoln County, Nevada,” the company said in a statement to The Independent.
“Estuary and our contractors are using best-in-class construction methodologies designed to protect and conserve all federal and state protected species on our site, in compliance with the law, our permits, and our respect for our environment and community. We are also setting aside 2000 acres of private land as undisturbed habitat for all species,” the statement continued.
