The story of how Minerva Hamilton Hoyt, almost single-handedly, fought for the establishment of Joshua Tree National Park is a tale of courage, perseverance, and determination. It may represent the first time in the history of the National Park Service that a woman led the campaign to establish a large natural area as part of the National Park System.
How did a South Pasadena society matron come to lead the fight for one of our largest and most popular desert parks? Minerva Hoyt and her quest for a desert park offers many lessons for those who care about protecting desert landscapes today. Learn more about this remarkable woman and the legacy she left for us all.
Joe Zarki retired in 2013 after a 38-year career as a National Park Service ranger He had stints at Death Valley, Denali, Tuzigoot National Monument, Yellowstone, and he served as Chief of Interpretation at Badlands National Park and at Joshua Tree (1995-2013).
