Joshua Tree National Park Association

Joshua Tree National Park Association (jtnpa) is a private, nonprofit corporation organized and operating under the laws of the state of California. It is a 'cooperating Association' as defined in regulations of the National Park service (nps) of the department of the interior, operating as a partnership with the nps with respect to its Joshua Tree National Park. The organization assists the nps in its achievement of programming goals in education, interpretation, scientific and historic research activities. We achieve this mission via a number of different programs, the primary of which is the operation of 4 (four) visitor center Park stores and a related online retail outlet. Revenues are generated via the sales of goods and safety items, and these revenues are used to provide direct financial aid to Joshua Tree National Park to help support Park programs such as the historic keys ranch tours, tortoise telemetry and bighorn sheep collaring programs, and field trips for elementary students. Additionally, jtnpa staff work in conjunction with Park rangers and volunteers at the visitor centers to provide safety and recreational information to visitors to the Park, in order to enhance the visitor experience as well as Park safety outcomes and protection of the resource.

The Joshua Tree National Park Association membership program assists in mission fulfillment by supporting Park programs and projects. Jtnpa members are a committed group of supporters whose contributions each year help the Park fulfill its educational, interpretive, and research plans via support of youth programs, scientific research, and the Park's historical collections.

The desert institute is operated by Joshua Tree National Park Association (jtnpa) and serves as an extension of Joshua Tree National Park's educational program. It offers classes in cultural history, natural science, survival skills, desert naturalist studies, women's programs, citizen science, and creative arts. All programs are taught by expert instructors who provide a personal learning experience on these educational adventures. The desert institute is committed to providing a rich, inclusive learning environment aimed at inpsiring people of all ages and backgrounds to appreciate and preserve cultural resources and natural places associated with Joshua Tree National Park and surrounding public lands.