| Msgr. Patrick S. Brennan |
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Joshua Tree National Park stands as a testament to the resilience of life in extreme environments. The park spans over 1,200 square miles, slightly larger than Rhode Island. It was established in 1994, and it includes parts of two deserts, each its own ecosystem: the higher Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert. The Joshua tree is a plant species belonging to the genus Yucca. The tree is unique and strange looking, growing as a single stalk with sharp branches that sprout in any direction. The average life-span of a Joshua tree is 150 years, but some are believed to live as long as 300-500 years.