Twentynine Palms in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Champion of the Desert
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2014
1. Champion of the Desert Marker
Minerva Hamilton Hoyt was a Pasadena, California gardener and civic leader who loved desert landscapes. She saw beauty in the desert where others saw an empty wasteland or an opportunity for profit. Mrs. Hoyt believed that outstanding desert lands should be protected and cherished. She set out to teach others to see the beauty and uniqueness of desert plants and arid lands.
As a leader in the Garden Club of America, Mrs. Hoyt created a series of successful exhibits about the desert landscapes that she brought to New York, Boston. and London, England. Moving from education to activism, she founded the International Desert Conservation League in 1930 and set a goal of establishing a national park to protect the rich desert vegetation in the mountains north and east of Palm Springs.
After many setbacks, Mrs. Hoyt, persuaded President Franklin Roosevelt to establish Joshua Tree National Monument through Presidential proclamation on August 10, 1936.
On October 31, 1994 the California Desert Protection Act added 234,000 acres to Joshua Tree and renamed it Joshua Tree National Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Notable Places • Parks & Recreational Areas • Women.
Location. 34°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Minerva Hamilton Hoyt (within shouting distance of this marker); Oasis of Mara (approx. one mile away); The Desert Trail (approx. 1.2 miles away); Keys' Desert Queen Ranch (approx. 1.2 miles away); Jack Cones (approx. 1.2 miles away); Cattle Days in Hidden Valley (approx. 1.2 miles away); Good Times at Smith's Ranch (approx. 1.2 miles away); Flash Flood (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Twentynine Palms.
Regarding Champion of the Desert.
The Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation Award recognizes annually individuals or organizations that have worked to further Mrs. 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
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2014
2. Minerva Hamilton Hoyt Mural (wide view; marker visible at left)
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Minerva Hamilton Hoyt
Also see . . .
1. Minerva Hamilton Hoyt. Wikipedia biography (Submitted on March 5, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Joshua Tree National Park, California. Nation Parks Service Webpage (Submitted on March 5, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
via Wikipedia, unknown
3. Minerva Hamilton Holt
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2014
4. Oasis Visitor Center - Joshua Tree National Park
Turn here to access the visitor center and the marker.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2014
5. Oasis Visitor Center - Joshua Tree National Park (near marker)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 327 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on March 5, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5. submitted on April 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
