Equity Statement and Land Acknowledgement
In addition, we aim to inspire respect for the original inhabitants of this land. We acknowledge that Joshua Tree National Park is the ancestral home and unceded territory of the Yuhaviatam/Maarenga’yam people, commonly referred to by their Spanish name, “Serrano”, the Western Shoshone, the Cahuilla, and the Chemehuevi. To learn more about native lands and peoples, visit http://native-land.ca.
Our business operates in the outdoor recreation industry, which has not historically included all races and ethnicities. We are explicitly committed to undoing the structures and systems that create obstacles for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) to access the outdoors and claim their place in the outdoor community. This entails educating ourselves in the ways in which white supremacy is perpetuated in the outdoors, honoring voices of People of Color and other marginalized groups that advocate for inclusion in the outdoors, and continuing to ask questions and listen to thought leaders about this work.
We are Joshua Tree Adventures
Established in 2014, Joshua Tree Adventures is the longest-running hiking guide service in Joshua Tree National Park. Ethan has been providing memorable experiences and exceptional customer service for small groups, families, and large groups for six years. In 2020, Stephanie began supporting the management of Joshua Tree Adventures to ensure Ethan’s time is maximized outside with clients. She continues to engage as a conservation professional in the community and draws on her conservation and ecology background to enhance Joshua Tree Adventures’ educational offerings.
Ethan and Stephanie are committed to inspiring a love and appreciation for their desert home through the offerings provided by Joshua Tree Adventures. We look forward to meeting and sharing with you the wonders of the desert!
Ethan Peck, Owner, Lead Guide, Wonderland Ambassador
Ethan Peck, Owner and Head Guide, arrived in Joshua Tree in the winter of 2006 from the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and was immediately amazed by the vast desert landscape, especially the plethora of rocks to climb. Ethan worked in outdoor education for almost a decade taking kids on educational outdoor adventures. Building upon this facilitation and education experience Ethan started Joshua Tree Adventures in 2014. Ethan attended Saint Lawrence University where he received a BA in Environmental Science and Sociology. He has current certifications for: Wilderness First Responder, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and Leave-No-Trace master educator.
His wife, Stephanie Dashiell grew up in southern California and first visited Joshua Tree National Park in high school on a student-organized rock climbing trip. During the next decade Stephanie finished her degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, worked on community-based conservation projects in Venezuela, Argentina, Guatemala and Costa Rica and continued to visit Joshua Tree regularly personally and professionally as a guide and instructor for outdoor education programs.
In 2009, Ethan and Stephanie met in Joshua Tree National Park while leading a week-long outdoor education program for middle school students. After adventuring together for several years, finishing a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management (Stephanie), starting Joshua Tree Adventures (Ethan), buying a home in Joshua Tree, and adopting 2 rescue mutts, they decided to seal the deal and married in 2015. Jasper Dashiell Peck joined the team a year later and has been growing into a competent adventure buddy for his parents ever since.
Our Values
Explore
We offer adventures, hikes, rock climbing and experiences for all people regardless of fitness and experience. All trips are custom and private ensuring clients have an uncrowded experience of the National Park. Our tours offer various options and choices to accommodate the needs and interests of the group. Explorations with JTA are always safe. Guides carry a stocked first aid kit, extra food, water and clothing, and are trained in emergency wilderness medicine. For 15 years Ethan has maintained active Wilderness First Responder certification requiring attendance at a 10-day intensive training and recertification every two years. We are taking extra precautions now with COVID-19 to ensure all of our clients are safely distanced and protected from any potential contact with the virus.
Educate
All of our offerings focus on educating our clients about safe hiking practices, “Leave no Trace” principles, desert ecology and the unique super-powers of each plant and animal that allows them to live in the harsh desert environment. Ethan has decades of outdoor and environmental education experience across southern California that he brings to each of his tours. We share fascinating natural history facts, geological concepts, curious histories and tales of local legends and lore. We will also help identify any plants or animals that are encountered along the way. At the end of the day clients will have a broader understanding of the scenic and otherworldly desert landscape.
Inspire
People across the globe flock to Joshua Tree National park for the peace and quiet, wide open spaces, starry nights, unique plants and animals. JTA aims to inspire a respect and appreciation for the natural wonders of the desert and the gifts it provides.