656 Acres In Riverside County Desert Returned To Indigenous Tribe

PALM SPRINGS, CA — More land has been returned to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

The state's Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy board approved transferring 656 acres in upper Palm Canyon near Palm Springs to the tribe for conservation and protection of cultural resources. The approval, which was also blessed by Friends of the Desert Mountains, occurred last November.

Combined with other recent land transfers, more than 1,200 acres have been returned to the tribe since 2024.

"The return of these 656 acres in upper Palm Canyon is the restoration of responsibility," said ACBCI Tribal Chairman Reid D. Milanovich. "Since time immemorial, our people have stewarded these mountains and waterways. We are grateful to Friends of the Desert Mountains, the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy, and the State of California for their partnership in advancing land conservation through Tribal stewardship."

Palm Canyon is revered as one of the Coachella Valley's great natural beauties. The Canyon's indigenous flora and fauna, including abundant Washingtonia filifera (California fan palms), contrast with rocky gorges and barren desert terrain.

According to Milanovich, the land return strengthens the tribe's sovereignty, protects sacred and ecological resources, and ensures that future generations will continue to benefit from the cultural and environmental legacy of the lands.

Conserved in 2018 with funding from the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy, the rugged parcel preserves in perpetuity critical habitat for the Peninsular Ranges Desert Bighorn sheep and other protected species. The parcel also contains important resources that serve other wildlife and replenish the aquifer underneath the Coachella Valley, officials said.

"We have done our best to conserve and protect this amazing resource," said Friends of the Desert Mountains Executive Director Tammy Martin. "It is a privilege to return these lands to the people who have stewarded them since time immemorial."

Officials say the transfer also contributes to California's 30x30 conservation goal, which aims to conserve 30 percent of the state's lands and coastal waters by 2030.

"CVMC is honored to partner with ACBCI and Friends to return land and demonstrate that Tribal land returns are good for conservation, the Valley, and our wildlife, and represent a step towards healing and partnership between Tribes and the State of California," said CVMC Executive Director Elizabeth M. King. “Since 1991, our Conservancy has worked to put over 100,000 acres of land into conservation, and we couldn’t think of a better steward for this parcel than ACBCI.”