Local veterans, their families and members of the High Desert community came together Nov. 3 at Juniper Flats to celebrate the gift of their local desert lands. The event participants came away both as graduates of a wilderness survival course, and as advocates on the issues affecting public lands in the California desert.
The event, hosted by Vet Voice Foundation, in partnership with the National Parks Conservation Association and Friends of Juniper Flats, included a hike to the Arrastre Canyon Waterfall in Juniper Flats. There, the hikers explored the extraordinary rock formations and deep water-filled canyons that make up these 50,000 acres of public land.
“This journey through Juniper Flats was particularly special, because the participants shared a strong connection to the desert and all it has to offer,” said Kate Hoit, California State Director for the Vet Voice Foundation. “There was so much pride and enthusiasm for protecting our Desert treasures, and a clear commitment to doing everything possible to ensure they’re passed down to future generations.”