Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation Award
minerva hoyt legacyAbout the Award
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 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 lasting contribution on behalf of the deserts of California.
The 2022 Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation Award Recipient
Idavid Graficks
The 2022 Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation Award Recipient
The Joshua Tree National Park Association is thrilled to announce the recipient of the 2022 Minerva Hoyt Desert Conservation Award: Idavid Graficks.
Idavid Graficks, a renowned Fine Art Screen Printing Studio founded by David Fick and the late Ida Foreman Fick, has been an invaluable part of the Joshua Tree community for over a quarter century. As a hub for artistic creativity, they have collaborated with various artists over the past thirty years, bringing their passion and expertise to the screen printing medium.
The studio has been instrumental in preserving the natural beauty of Joshua Tree through active community engagement and advocacy. The journey of community activism began when a bullet came through their studio window in 1987, leading to the formation of the Joshua Tree/Wonder Valley network. This network later evolved into the Political Action Committee group “Desert Environmental Response Team” (DERT), which played a vital role in defeating multiple MegaDump projects threatening the desert, including the Broadwell Toxic Waste Repository and Eagle Mountain Landfill MegaDump.
Together, David and Ida’s achievements for the desert are far-reaching, reflecting their dedication to the greater good of Morongo Basin residents. They have worked tirelessly on various conservation-related issues, championing environmental and social justice concerns. Among their many accomplishments, David and Ida were instrumental in getting Joshua trees listed on the threatened species list. They also played a pivotal role in the enactment of legislation such as the Bobcat Trapping Ban and the County Night Sky Ordinance. Their partnerships and collaborations with various organizations further demonstrate their unwavering commitment to safeguarding the desert ecosystem.
As the Joshua Tree National Park Association celebrates the 2022 Minerva Hoyt Desert Conservation Award winners, we recognize the indelible mark left by David and Ida of Idavid Graficks and their exceptional dedication to preserving Joshua Tree’s desert landscape.
The 2021 Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation Award Recipient
Frazier Haney
The 2021 Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation Award Recipient
The Joshua Tree National Park Association is pleased to announce Frazier Haney as the 2021 Minerva Hoyt Conservation Award recipient.
A native of Joshua Tree, California, Frazier has been working to protect natural landscapes and people’s access to the outdoors for over 15 years, most recently as Executive Director of The Wildlands Conservancy based in Oak Glen, California. He grew up hiking, climbing, and camping in the California desert and the Midwest – a privilege that left him with a deep love of the outdoors. He holds a BS in Ecology and Evolution from UC Santa Cruz and an MBA from UC Riverside. Frazier has played many roles in the preservation of our deserts. As a new college graduate, he took a job with The Wildlands Conservancy, under the direction of April Sall, as a ranger at the Pioneertown Mountains Preserve. He then moved to the Whitewater Preserve when it was acquired by Wildlands. He planned and supervised Whitewater’s conversion from trout farm to preserve.
After knowing Whitewater was in good standing, he took a position with Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) with responsibility for raising funds for acquisitions. Through Frazier’s work, MDLT protected over 100,000 acres of the Mojave Desert. He then moved his primary focus to working with multiple partners to encourage President Obama to create Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow, and Castle Mountains National Monuments. Frazier brings unparalleled expertise in land use policy and advocacy. He has testified before Congress on behalf of California desert conservation and successfully collaborated with decision-makers in the Department of Interior. He volunteers for the California Desert Coalition and serves as the Environment representative on the Bureau of Land Management Desert Advisory Council (DAC).
Frazier shares his love of the desert and the outdoors with his wife Jamie – a Pacific Crest Trail throughhiker – and his beautiful children, Lily and Owen. We are honored to recognize Frazier Haney as the 2021 Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation Award winner.
PAST WINNERS
2020 | Dr. Cameron Barrows
2019 | David Lamfrom
2018 | Robin Kobaly
2017 | Pat Flanagan
2016 | Cindy Zacks
2015 | Nancy Karl
2014 | Desert Protective Council, Terry Weiner
2013 | Dee & Betty Zeller
2012 | Steven & Ruth Rieman
2011 | Elden E. Hughes
2010 | Owens Valley Committee
2009 | United States Senator Dianne Feinstein
2008 | Mark Jorgenson, Superintendent of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
2007 | John Wohlmuth and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments
2006 | David Myers and the Wildlands Conservancy
2005 | Larry & Donna Charpied
2004 | Susan Luckie Reilly
Eligibility
Any person or group is eligible to receive the award except for Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA) board of directors or staff and members of their immediate families. Non-residents of California are eligible but nominations must be for conservation accomplishments in the California deserts. Candidates must be at least 18 years old.
Criteria
Nominees will have made a notable achievement on behalf of the deserts of California in one or more of the following areas:
Provided leadership resulting in laws, regulations, public policies, or other practices that promote improved stewardship of California desert lands and resources
Developed scientific research leading to improved conservation knowledge, techniques, or strategies
Fostered partnerships and collaborations that promote desert stewardship, or
Created a stronger public stewardship through education and outreach activities
Nomination Selection Procedures
The Joshua Tree National Park Association oversees the annual nomination and selection process. Nominations will be accepted from any interested individual or organization, but self-nominations will not be considered. Joshua Tree National Park Association staff reviews all submissions for eligibility, and qualifying nominations are forwarded to the Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation Award selection committee.