Thank you for your interest in the Mojave Maxine Emergence Contest. Mojave Maxine emerged on February 25th 2012 at 11:33 AM. Winners in each of the nine counties are being contacted and we are very excited to have a record number of entries. This year winners ranged from K through 12th grade at schools in Carson, Barstow, Orange, Cardiff, Camarillo, Lake Elsinore, Edwards, El Centro, and Independence with the closest guess coming in at 11:51AM.

Winners are being notified and school visits will be happening soon! Thank you for your participation and we look forward to your entries in the Fall of 2012.

Who Can Play?

Southern California Students and Youth Groups from the following counties: Inyo, Imperial, San Diego, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura and Kern.

How Do You Win?

Submit the date and time that you think Mojave Maxine will emerge from her burrow for the first time in 2012. The entry closest to the exact time on the day she emerges will win.

What Will You Win?

A $50 gift certificate, a Federal Lands Pass, a visit from Mojave Maxine, Mojave Maxine t-shirts for your entire class and a $100 gift certificate for your teacher.

How Do I Enter?

To enter your guess in the Mojave Maxine Emergence Contest click on the links provided to the left or go to www.mojavedata.gov/contest.

Your guess will be improved with some basic knowledge of the desert tortoise. For instance, you may want to know what the weather was like when Maxine emerged from her burrow in previous years. You might also want to know what desert tortoises do first when they emerge.

Information about the desert tortoise can be found online at www.deserttortoise.gov.