Mojave Desert Land Trust

Name

Mojave Desert Land Trust

Legal name

The California Desert Land Conservancy, DBA Mojave Desert Land Trust

Website

https://mdlt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mojave Desert Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land conservancy founded in 2006 that acquires, protects, and stewards ecologically significant land across the California desert, primarily through conveyance to the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management, while operating the Mojave Desert Seed Bank, a native plant nursery, and conservation-education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation Services

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)

Keywords

• Land conservation services
• Habitat restoration programs
• Native plant nursery
• Wildlife corridor planning
• Environmental education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Joshua Tree

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: The primary revenue stream comes from individual donors and members who support the organization's conservation mission through tax-deductible contributions. The organization operates a membership program with various giving levels.
2. Government and Foundation Grants: MDLT receives significant grant funding from government agencies including California Wildlife Conservation Board ($3.19M for seed bank expansion, $5.5M for wildlife crossings) and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation ($1M+ for desert tortoise recovery).
3. Plant Sales and Shop: Revenue generated from native plant sales at community events and through the organization's online shop selling merchandise.
4. Contract Growing Services: Contract growing services for native plants offered to partners including Joshua Tree National Park for post-fire restoration projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land conservancy that acquires and permanently protects ecologically significant desert land in the California desert, conveying protected parcels to federal agencies such as the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management. The organization operates a native plant nursery and the Mojave Desert Seed Bank for restoration work, and runs community education programs, volunteer stewardship, and conservation advocacy initiatives.

Product overview

Mojave Desert Land Trust operates as a full-service land conservancy with a multifaceted conservation approach centered on land acquisition and stewardship, native plant propagation, and public engagement. Core offerings include the Land Acquisition & Stewardship program for protecting ecologically significant desert lands, the Mojave Desert Seed Bank for preserving native seeds, and the Native Plant Nursery for growing restoration plants. The organization supplements these with educational programs including the Women In Science Discovering Our Mojave (WISDOM) internship, Desert Discovery Field Studies for students, and the Force of Nature veterans program. A key infrastructure initiative involves wildlife crossings over State Route 62. All programs are tied together through advocacy, community science, and volunteer engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mojave Desert Seed Bank: A conservation seed bank established to ensure the preservation of native species. Stores millions of seeds for research, restoration, and reintroduction.
• Women In Science Discovering Our Mojave (WISDOM)
• Mojave Desert Discovery Garden

Products and services

• Land Acquisition and Stewardship Acquires and permanently protects ecologically significant desert land in the California desert, conveying protected parcels to the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and other public agencies for inclusion in national parks, monuments, and wilderness areas.
• Mojave Desert Seed Bank Conservation seed bank storing native Mojave and Colorado Desert plant seeds for research, restoration, and reintroduction; performs germination testing, viability monitoring, cold stratification, and sterilization procedures, working toward housing 2,400+ native plant species.
• Native Plant Nursery Onsite nursery at Joshua Tree headquarters that propagates native desert plants for restoration projects, partner agency needs (such as Joshua Tree National Park post-fire restoration and Salton Sea shoreline restoration), and community landscaping; includes demonstration garden.
• Mojave Desert Discovery Garden Interpretive public garden at MDLT headquarters in Joshua Tree showcasing native desert plants for public education, demonstration, and community engagement.
• Women In Science Discovering Our Mojave (WISDOM) Paid internship program providing women from underrepresented communities equitable access to research and STEM fields through scientific research and data collection on desert ecosystems, including dark night sky surveys.
• Desert Discovery Field Studies (DDFS) Experiential STEM-based education program for K-12 students from underserved communities exploring desert ecology, climate change, and ecosystem management through hands-on learning activities in the California desert.
• Force of Nature Veterans Program Veterans wellness program offering immersive outdoor conservation experiences supporting veteran mental and physical health, partnering with Mil-Tree and Big Morongo Canyon Preserve.
• Wildlife Crossings Project Planning and development of wildlife crossings over State Route 62 in the California desert to provide safe passage for wildlife and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, benefiting mountain lion populations and other species.
• Joshua Tree Conservation Coalition Multi-stakeholder coalition initiated by MDLT bringing together federal and state agencies, tribes, and researchers to coordinate conservation action for the imperiled western Joshua tree species under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act.

Quantifiable outcome

• Protected over 132,347 acres of ecologically significant land
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDLT has conveyed more tracts of land to NPS than any other nonprofit since 2006. Partners on Joshua Tree Conservation Coalition steering committee. NPS provides technical assistance and manages transferred lands.
• Bureau of Land ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDLT conveys land to BLM for inclusion in Mojave Trails National Monument and other BLM wilderness areas. Partners on Joshua Tree Conservation Coalition. BLM is key partner in WISDOM program supporting dark sky surveys.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering committee member of Joshua Tree Conservation Coalition. Collaborates on desert species conservation including Joshua tree and desert tortoise recovery efforts.
• California Department of Fish and WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering committee member of Joshua Tree Conservation Coalition. Critical partner for implementation of Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act and desert tortoise conservation planning.
• Trust for Public LandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with MDLT to acquire Rock Springs Ranch Preserve in 2019. Donated 1,440 acres of Caliente Creek property to MDLT for permanent protection.
• Native American Land ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering committee member of Joshua Tree Conservation Coalition representing Cahuilla and Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians. Advocates for Joshua tree protection based on Indigenous cultural relationships with the species.
• U.S. Geological SurveymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering committee member of Joshua Tree Conservation Coalition providing scientific research and monitoring expertise for Joshua tree conservation.
• California Botanic GardenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with MDLT to grow over 15,000 native plants for Salton Sea shoreline restoration project, combining seed banking and nursery expertise.
• California Department of Water ResourcesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Salton Sea restoration project, contributing to native plant propagation efforts for revegetation of receded shoreline.
• Coachella Valley Conservation CommissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal agency partner for wildlife crossing project over State Route 62, providing coordination with regional transportation planning.
• Mojave Desert Resource Conservation DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal agency partner for wildlife crossing project providing community engagement and conservation district coordination.
• CaltranscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransportation agency partner for wildlife crossing project; will implement construction of wildlife crossings over State Route 62.
• Mil-TreemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Force of Nature veteran wellness program, providing immersive outdoor experiences for veterans in collaboration with MDLT and Big Morongo Canyon Preserve.
• Big Morongo Canyon PreservemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost partner for Force of Nature veteran program; significant birdwatching site and riparian wildlife corridor for community conservation activities.
• 29 Palms Astronomy ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with MDLT to host star parties and dark sky education events at Amboy Crater in Mojave Trails National Monument.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationminorOthersWISDOM interns consult NOAA resources for weather condition and moon phase verification when entering dark sky survey data.
• Outward Bound CaliforniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer group partner contributing to stewardship activities including habitat restoration and trash removal on MDLT preserves.
• Four Wheel CampersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate volunteer partner contributing volunteer hours to MDLT stewardship activities in the Morongo Basin region.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@mojavedesertlandtrust
• Facebookfacebook.com/mojavedesertlandtrust
• Instagraminstagram.com/mojavedesertlandtrust
• Xx.com/mojavedesertlt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mojave-desert-land-trust

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mojave Desert Land Trust