Living Desert

Conservation and education programing: the Living Desert is an agent of conservation with 60+ projects in 12 countries, collaborating with 70+ in-country organizations. We are global leaders in community-based conservation using successful biological and social science based training, research, and implementation projects all around the world, while also inspiring resource sustainability efforts among our visitors. the educational programs of the Living Desert cover all elements of Desert conservation awareness to provoke conservation actions. We informally reach over 630,000 guests annually. Covid-19 impacted us, we did not see our normal educational attendance. We normally provide informal educational programming to more than 50,000 adults and children, including over 30,000 school children. During covid-19 we adjusted to add family programs and stem career (science, technology, engineering and math) days. We offer a diversity of engaging programing that sparks a passion to care for the natural world.

Membership/park services: the Living Desert has been in operation for almost 54 years. Various memberships are offered including single, family, and other levels, up to donative memberships. the Living Desert's memberships expand the guest experience to include an ongoing relationship with the park's educational programs and special events. Each department within the Living Desert team strives to assure excellence in their area of expertise to provide optimal animal well- being, park preservation and meaningful guests connections. the experience begins with the ease of parking and park entry; to the enjoyment of the animal and botanical collections; to the outstanding community events. the Living Desert brings in an audience from around the world, but particularly across the coachella valley, a region noted for its resorts and informal learning processes.

Collections: the plants and animals at the Living Desert have important roles, as they are ambassadors for their wild counterparts. the Living Desert maintains one of the most notable and extensive collections of Desert flora and fauna in the united states. As one of only two zoological and botanical gardens in the country with Desert conservation as its mission, we proudly provide a home to almost 600 individual Desert animals of over 152 species and over 10,000 Desert plants of over 1000 species in over 50 themed gardens and habitats. the zoo and gardens is set within the natural sonoran Desert environment in the foothills of the santa rosa mountains. the caretakers of the animals and plants provide exceptional care and well-being for all of these species. These caretakers provide connections with these animals and plants with our guests so they can be inspired to make a positive difference for the deserts of the world.