Saturdays in the Sand
Morongo Basin's Histories at the Museum
A broad range of topics of local interest. With a thriving community of professionals from Joshua Tree National Park, local artists, authors and professors.
Our speakers are experts in local history, environmental studies, natural science, Native American culture and the arts.
Rooted in Restoration: Designing for a Changing Desert
Rooted in Restoration: Designing for a Changing Desert
Rooted in Restoration: Designing for a Changing Desert
Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 11 am
Rooted in Restoration: Designing for a Changing Desert
Join landscape designer and ISA Certified Arborist Marinna Wagner for Saturdays in the Sand on May 10, 2025 exploring the evolving work of ecological restoration in the Morongo Basin. Drawing from her nursery experience with the Mojave Desert Land Trust and her current arborist work, Marinna will share stories from the ground - tracking Western Joshua tree populations, monitoring restoration sites, and navigating the unique challenges of landscaping in the desert environment. Through the lens of science, design, and stewardship, she’ll offer a look into what it takes to support healthy desert ecosystems in a time of rapid environmental change.
Marinna Wagner is a Landscape Designer with Geoponika in Los Angeles and a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture. She previously worked as a nursery and seed bank technician for the Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) in Joshua Tree, where she deepened her connection to the desert landscape. Marinna holds a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona, where her award-winning thesis explored the complexities of restoring disturbed sites in and around Joshua Tree National Park. Her work blends scientific insight with a designer’s eye, informed by a BFA from the University of Southern California and a deep respect for the Mojave’s natural systems.
