History of the Preserve
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Fire and Water:
A Little History
Big Morongo Canyon has been a desert oasis, providing food and water, for thousands of years. In the mid-1800s homesteading and ranching began, taking advantage of the water and vegetation. Big Morongo Canyon was a working ranch, passing from one rancher to another until 1968. The Nature Conservancy purchased 80 acres from J. L. Covington in 1968 to preserve the environment and save this unique ecological habitat. Soon afterward, San Bernardino County obtained 160 acres in the adjacent canyon and in 1974 the combined 240 acres were dedicated as a Wildlife Preserve.
In 1982, the Bureau of Land Management recognized the ecological features of the area and designated almost 3,700 acres of the ridge and canyon as an “Area of Critical Environmental Concern”. The Nature Conservancy took over management of the Preserve until 1994.
In 2016, the preserve was incorporated into the new Sand to Snow National Monument protecting 150,000 acres of land between Joshua Tree National Park and Mt. San Gorgonio. The monument is mostly protected wilderness and includes the popular Pacific Crest Trail. It creates wildlife corridors connecting the preserve with Joshua Tree National Park. These corridors allow wildlife, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and the California black bear to move freely across the wilderness in search of food and water.
Fires
Historically, the area has been subject to wildfires. In 1992, a fire swept through the preserve destroying structures and leaving only embers behind. The Friends of Big Morongo Preserve was organized to collect donations and manage the restoration of the area. In 2005, another major fire destroyed the boardwalk on the Marsh Trail and some of the few remaining buildings from the ranching era.
As the climate warms, fire remains an ever-present danger to the structures and wildlife in the preserve. Of course, open flames, smoking, and fires are strictly prohibited in the preserve..
Water
The other natural threat to the preserve is water. In late summer we can get monsoonal storms that turn streams into raging torrents that rip up the land, destroy structures, and flood the homes of many desert dwellers. One such storm struck in August of 2023; it dumped a year’s worth of rain on the area in 2 days.
Honored for Conservation
The preserve has had many enthusiastic, knowledgeable volunteers who have made a significant impact on conservation in the area. In 1930, Minerva Hamilton Hoyt created the International Deserts Conservation League to promote the conservation of desert lands worldwide. Her tireless efforts led directly to the establishment of Joshua Tree National Monument in 1936. She was perhaps the first great desert conservationist. The Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have worked to further Minerva Hoyt’s legacy by making notable achievements in the areas of leadership, protection, preservation, research, education, and stewardship of California’s desert lands. The award seeks to recognize an individual or persons whose efforts lead to a significant and lasting contribution on behalf of the deserts of California.
Four people associated with Big Morongo Canyon Preserve have been honored with this prestigious award:
The Zellers
Dee and Betty Zeller were the preserve hosts for over 20 years.
Dee served as a bird expert guiding weekly bird walks and could often be found on trails toting a chainsaw to clear downed trees. While serving as volunteers and preserve hosts, Dee and Betty were honored, recognized, and awarded many accolades, including the Bureau of Land Management’s “Making A Difference” National Volunteer Award. They were awarded the Minerva Hoyt Conservation Award in 2013.
Betty passed away in 2015 and Dee in 2022. The kiosk at the preserve is named after them and the Betty and Dee Zeller memorial bench is found at the Education Center. Many of our visitors fondly remember sharing stories with them.
Robin Kobaly
She led the preserve through some of its most difficult times, including recovery from the devastating 1994 fire and the transition from a small county reserve to a 31,000-acre BLM preserve and eventual incorporation into the Sand to Snow National Monument. Robin was awarded the Minerva Hoyt Conservation Award in 2018.
Cindy Zacks
Latest News
National Public Lands Day
We will be celebrating Natiional Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 26
Newsletter – August 3
Happy Labor Day Weekend!
We work every day at the preserve, including holidays, and because of our growing educational programs we are looking for a great individual who wishes to work in a nature settings with a great team of staff and volunteers. See the below ad for a part-time administrative assistant and please help us spread the word.
Our Fall newsletter has received rave reviews on the topics of the two proposed wildlife crossings in Morongo Valley, two rare plants found in or near Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, and, of course, Kaeliegh’s Korner!
We’re Hiring! Administrative Assistant Position
We are looking for an organized and service-oriented Administrative Assistant to help support our programs and daily operations, advancing the mission of Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve.