A Fresh Start for Joshua Tree National Park association: Secure, Streamlined, and User-First
We helped JTNPA overhaul their outdated website and online shop to make those both important, usable tools for the organization, web users, and park visitors.
joshuatree.org
joshuatreeshop.org
Services
Set Up New Email Hosting
Landing Page Design
Online Shop Redesign and Rebuild
Main Website Redesign and Rebuild
Website Updates and Maintenance
design & development team
Lisa Burford
Sean Burford
The Challenge
When the organization approached us, they needed help remedying hacked email addresses, fixing a broken main website, and improving an antiquated online store.
Things were a bit digitally out of hand so we decided to burn it all down and start fresh.
The Joshua Tree National Park Association wasn’t just dealing with a broken website – they were fending off spoofed emails, a store that was impossible to update, and a design that no longer served their mission. So we scrapped the whole thing and started fresh, delivering a site and shop that finally matched the integrity of the work they do.
Behind the scenes, the problems ran even deeper. Their massive inventory was barely represented online because the backend made it difficult to add or manage products. Instead of secure online transactions, they were physically running credit cards through an in-house machine, manually collecting sensitive cardholder information.
No one knew where the domain was registered, and there was no access to the email host server, meaning critical changes like fixing email routing or spam filters were impossible. Their team was overwhelmed by spam. And with no privacy policy, store terms, or compliance with standards like CalOPPA or GDPR, the organization lacked the basic protections required for modern web operations.
AFTER
BEFORE
from an underwhelming home page that was difficult to read on mobile devices to a lively design that captures the full amount of services the organization provides
the solutions
We approached this project as more than just a repair job. It was a full-scale rebuild with modern standards and long-term usability in mind.
We transitioned JTNPA off their old, insecure email host and implemented new routing measures to reduce spam and prevent future spoofing attacks to the best of our ability. While the full website was being redesigned, we launched a streamlined microsite to keep the public informed with accurate, up-to-date information.
From there, we built a fully redesigned website focused on clarity, accessibility, and ease of use, especially on mobile devices. Every page was meticulously designed not only to look great but also to load quickly and function smoothly, regardless of device.
We added thoughtful touches throughout to reflect the organization’s personality and mission:
Public domain photography was used respectfully and lawfully, with proper credits to the National Park Service and photographers, including detailed captions.
Hand-drawn icons added warmth and approachability to the brand visuals.
A robust footer gave quick access to key pages, and a full list of visitor centers was included to simplify planning.
Each visitor center received its own page, complete with accessibility details—like wheelchair access, restrooms, and parking—to help visitors make informed decisions with ease and confidence.
A live weather page connected directly to the National Weather Service widget, giving real-time conditions, and we even connected this to related product pages, cross-promoting sun-protective gear from the shop.
On the e-commerce side, we rebuilt the online store on Shopify, giving the organization access to modern payment options, greater product flexibility, and a vastly improved customer experience. And, for loyalty and trustworthiness, the shop’s UI was designed to have more continuity with the main site.
We didn’t stop at the tech: we trained staff on how to manage the store, process orders, and ship products. And when something didn’t quite click? We stepped in with personalized support.
BEFORE
The outdated online store was hard to navigate, nearly impossible to update with new products, and relied on an insecure payment process that put customer data at risk.
AFTER
Rebuilt on Shopify, the new shop is easy to manage, secure, and designed for both users and staff making it simple to browse, purchase, and update products with confidence.
One major shift was operational: because the new site was designed for quick updates, the internal team no longer needed to juggle day-to-day site maintenance. Now, time-sensitive information like closures, sold out Desert Institute classes, or park protocols could be updated by us or the team within minutes without adding stress to their workload.
Ultimately, we didn’t just rebuild their website and shop - we gave Joshua Tree National Park Association digital tools they could trust, use, and grow with.
The Impact
Resolved/reduced spoofing attacks
Continuous user access during site rebuild
Increased customer data security and increased product inventory available online
Mobile functionality, SSL, easier navigation, condensed number of webpages, strategic design, visual improvements in iconography and photos, better accessibility
Latest information reached the public faster
The brand new website solved the organization’s biggest problems with their old site: easier for the user to navigate around the website, more accessible for older generations to use the site, more use of visuals like photography to represent the gorgeous national park, and condensing the number of pages to give concise, helpful information.