Vandals Cut Down Joshua Trees so They Could Go Four-Wheeling During Shutdown

Photo: Joshua Tree National Park/Facebook

“While the vast majority of those who visit Joshua Tree National Park do so in a responsible manner, there have been incidents of new roads being created by motorists and the destruction of Joshua trees in recent days,” an NPS Tuesday press release read.

In addition to extensive off-roading, rangers reported seeing Christmas lights struck across the Joshua trees, a violation of park rules according to The Hill.

Although NPS announced on Tuesday it would close the park, by Wednesday the NPS said the park would remain open to visitors. In a Wednesday statement, the NPS said it was able to avert a park closure by using recreation fee revenue and Federal Land and Recreation Enhancement funds.

The NPS statement said the funds would be used to bring back maintenance crews to address sanitation and other issues that have arisen as a result of the government shutdown. Park entrances will be open, but park fees will not be collected.

The NPS statement also expressed “appreciation for the contributions of local volunteers…Their efforts have contributed significantly to the reopening of campgrounds and restoring access to other closed areas of Joshua Tree National Park.”

H/T: The Hill