Mojave National Preserve - Environmental Factors

The miracle of Mojave is its isolation in the midst of huge population centers. Its northern boundary is I-15 connecting Los Angeles and Las Vegas. On holiday weekends, traffic slows to a crawl along this busy freeway, yet minutes away are Pinyon-Juniper woodlands, secret springs, and cactus gardens waiting to be explored. At nearby desert parks like Death Valley, tourists arrive by the busload; at Mojave its still possible to escape the crowds.

The factors that contribute to the park"s wilderness ambiance could be marred by events outside its borders. Air quality is already compromised. The dark night sky and natural quiet are threatened by developments such as the proposed international airport at Jean, Nevada. The quality and quantity of water at springs and seeps could be impacted by water development projects.