Disinformation Campaigns Exploit Mojave National Preserve Closure to Deflect Attention from Public Lands Issues

A federal court has temporarily restricted motorized vehicle access on approximately 2,200 miles of trails in California’s Western Mojave Desert, sparking debate between conservation advocates and off-road recreation groups. The ruling aims to protect the endangered desert tortoise and rare plant species in this ecologically sensitive region.

Despite claims from some off-road advocacy organizations that characterize this as a permanent ban, journalist Jonathon Klein of RideApart clarifies that the closure is temporary and limited in scope. More than 271,000 acres of the Mojave Desert region remain fully accessible to off-road enthusiasts and the general public.

Klein specifically criticizes the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), an off-road advocacy group, for what he describes as misleading rhetoric about the closure. According to his reporting, the BRC, led by Ben Burr, is using the temporary trail restrictions to advance a broader agenda that could potentially threaten public lands protection.

“They are stooges to these public lands sell-off ghouls and haven’t spoken out about anything but these distractions since the Trump administration’s war against public lands has begun in earnest,” Klein wrote in his analysis of the situation.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between recreational access, conservation needs, and public land management in the American West. The Mojave Desert represents a critical habitat for the desert tortoise, which has seen population declines of up to 90% in some areas over the past century due to habitat loss, off-road vehicle use, and other human activities.

Environmental advocates argue that temporary closures represent a necessary compromise to ensure the survival of endangered species while still maintaining recreational access to vast portions of public lands. They point to scientific studies demonstrating that motorized vehicles can damage fragile desert ecosystems that may take decades to recover.

Meanwhile, a separate report from the Center for American Progress reveals how federal policies continue to advantage fossil fuel companies through what they describe as “hidden subsidies.” The analysis details how companies can extract resources from public lands at below-market rates, with taxpayers bearing the costs of environmental cleanup and climate impacts.

The debate over public lands management extends beyond the Mojave. Recent polling shows bipartisan majorities in Western states oppose rollbacks of public lands protections, highlighting the complex political dynamics at play. In Oregon, the Bureau of Land Management has proposed a significant expansion of logging operations in western parts of the state, raising concerns from environmental organizations about potential impacts on forest ecosystems.

National parks are facing challenges as well, with reports of sudden cancellations of seasonal media positions. Former National Park Service media specialist John Hockaday expressed his frustration to SFGATE: “I’ve been going through a mourning period for my career. You want to be the person that toughs all this out and tries to stick around to make sure the Park Service maintains its integrity. But at the end of the day, you kind of have to live your life and I can’t wait around for this.”

The temporary trail closures in the Mojave represent just one facet of the ongoing balancing act between conservation, recreation, resource extraction, and public access that defines American public lands management in the 21st century. As climate change intensifies and biodiversity faces increasing threats, these discussions are likely to become even more critical in determining the future of America’s natural heritage.

For now, visitors to the Western Mojave Desert should check with land management agencies before planning trips to ensure they understand current access restrictions, while conservation experts continue monitoring the impact of these temporary measures on the region’s vulnerable wildlife.