When it comes to protecting some of the most iconic and fragile landscapes in the world, true conservation work is about more than preserving land; it’s about building lasting relationships with the people who cherish and depend on it.
The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT), based in Southern California, has expanded their impact by redefining community, investing in authentic partnerships, and embedding core values into everything they do.
Diane Mailey, Director of Strategic Partnerships at MDLT, shares how they approach community engagement, Indigenous partnerships, volunteer stewardship, and trust-building – and what other mission-driven organizations can learn from their journey.
Community engagement is a central part of MDLT’s work. How do you define community engagement, and what does that look like day-to-day in your conservation efforts?
At MDLT, community engagement is not limited by geography. Given the vast, rural expanse of the Mojave Desert, we define “community” as anyone who cares about the desert, not just those living nearby.
While early engagement efforts focused on areas around Joshua Tree, we realized that broader success would come from connecting with the wider “interest community” — people around the country who feel a strong, emotional bond to the desert landscape. Through our campaigns and branding, we try to invite everyone who loves these iconic spaces to join the mission, whether near or far.
How do you approach partnerships with communities that have long-standing ties to the land?
Partnership with Indigenous communities is critical to MDLT’s mission. We recently established our Community Conservation Initiative (CCI) Department, which focuses on building relationships and fostering connections with Tribal nations and local communities. Regionally, MDLT maintains a list of over 20 California Native American tribes and has conducted outreach for a wide range of projects. Over the past 8 years, our headquarters has served as a space for tribal gatherings and dialogue.
Fostering trust is central to Indigenous engagement. The CCI department plays an active role in informing Tribal communities of MDLT’s work and ensures that Tribal input and participation are included throughout our processes. For example, in a current restoration project, Tribal staff were present during ecological surveys, and following those surveys, Tribal governments received summaries of the proposed plans and findings. We work to ensure Tribes are informed and involved at every step.
How does MDLT ensure the work you’re doing reflects, not just includes, the voices, values, and priorities of the communities you’re working with?
MDLT lives its values every day, internally and externally. Our core values — Solve for the Desert, Dig Deep, Foster Trust,and Spark Joy — are not just slogans; they’re woven into staff training, decision-making, and partner engagement.
Shared goals, particularly with government agencies and Indigenous representatives, form the foundation of real partnerships. Partnerships built on mutual respect, not just convenience.
What are some of the ways you create opportunities for local residents and volunteers to take real ownership in your conservation work?
MDLT offers meaningful, hands-on volunteer experiences tied directly to our mission. Volunteers help with seed banking, land conservation, and restoration projects, not only peripheral tasks. They are integral to our mission and work. Last year, volunteers contributed over 3,000 volunteer hours to our programs. This authentic access fosters deep connections to the work, and many volunteers eventually become long-term supporters and donors.
The key is making volunteer opportunities truly impactful, allowing people to see and feel the results of their contributions firsthand.
If you are located in the Southern California area, visit www.mdlt.org/volunteer to learn more about how you can get involved and hands-on with MDLT.
When it comes to building relationships that last, what advice would you give to other nonprofits looking to form genuine connections with the communities they serve?
Focus on real meaning and firsthand connection.
Authentic engagement means integrating community members into the heart of your mission, not just offering one-off, administrative tasks. When people see how their efforts tie directly to an organization’s broader vision, it fosters community building, loyalty, and even corporate partnerships rooted in shared purpose.
By centering authentic relationships and a deep respect for the land and its people, MDLT offers a model for how conservation can drive lasting, meaningful change. To learn more about the Mojave Desert Land Trust, visit www.mdlt.org.