The past week witnessed several significant developments in the realm of climate change and environmental conservation. Among the most noteworthy were the threats to Joshua trees, which scientists warn could face functional extinction by 2070 due to climate change. Furthermore, hundreds of Joshua trees were scorched during the government shutdown, underscoring the immediate risks to this iconic species. These events raise concerns about the preservation of old-growth forests and the urgency of climate action to protect vulnerable ecosystems from irreversible damage. Additionally, the Amazon rainforest could face renewed deforestation if a long-standing ban protecting it is overturned, highlighting the ongoing struggle to safeguard old-growth forests worldwide. The preservation of Indigenous territories in Brazil following protests at COP30 and the confirmation of a new wolf pack in California also underscore the critical importance of protecting and conserving old-growth habitats and the wildlife they support.