The Living Desert

02/21/2025

You know what we say... 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘! ✨ (And now's your chance!)

For one week only, you can 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝟮𝟬% when you purchase four or more Glow in the Park tickets. So, grab your friends and get ready to GLOW!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸? Glad you asked!

On select nights from March 20 – April 27, you are invited to step into a world of wonder at The Living Desert as hundreds of larger-than-life lanterns showcase the wonders of wildlife from across the globe.

Plan your visit at LivingDesert.org/GLOW

🌟 Presented by the City of Palm Desert
🌟 Sponsored by Visit Greater Palm Springs

Don’t miss this deal — offer ends on February 28!

Glow in the Park, presented by the City of Palm Desert, returns this Spring! Join us on select nights March 20-April 27 for a dazzling evening of light and wonder. Featuring interactive exhibits and beautiful hand-crafted lanterns that light up the night and are guaranteed fun for everyone!

02/16/2025

This rosy boa is a little late but can she still be your valentine? 🥹💖

02/15/2025

Several years ago, we set out to create a space where the community could come together, alongside the world's leading conservationists and see the work being done to protect the deserts' precious wildlife first-hand. From this initial brainstorm came the International Desert Conservation Summit, which has grown and evolved since the inaugural event. 🧡

On February 7-9, The Living Desert hosted the fourth annual International Desert Conservation Summit. But this Summit isn't just for bystanders — it's for people ready to take action! Last weekend’s SOLD-OUT Summit was filled with deep discussions, bold ideas, and a shared commitment to making a difference.

For the grand finale, we opened the conversation to the next generation of wildlife advocates and conservationists. 1,000+ guests packed in for an all-ages event with YouTube sensation Coyote Peterson, whose energy and passion had the young explorers hanging on every word.

It takes all of us to protect what matters and it takes passion to fuel change. Thank you to everyone who shared their passions last weekend and to all who are making a difference every day. See you next year!✨

02/14/2025

Hogs & Kisses! 🦔💖

02/14/2025

We take ‘girl dinner’ very seriously! 🐢💗🐢

02/12/2025

Still need a Valentine? Send your crush these skunks. 🦨

If they can handle the Mischief and Mayhem, it's forever. 😳💍💘

02/09/2025

Have you heard? Stripes are definitely IN for 2025! 🦓

And so are three fabulous new Hartmann’s mountain zebras!

Meet the heard:
🖤 Gracie: 22 years old, calm & composed
🤍 Vivian: 21 years old, Lucy's mom & BFF
🖤 Lucy: 12 years old, full of energy, spunky, and if we're being honest...loud

These girls are a bonded group who recently arrived from San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Conrad, the Grevy’s zebra, and the trio will be rotating spaces. So far, they’ve been uninterested in each other, but are being very polite neighbors!

02/07/2025

BOOP! THAT! SNOOT!

But first,☝️🤓 put your animal ID skills to the test — who's snoot is this?

📸: Team Member, Lucas B.

01/31/2025

You said you couldn’t get enough of JoAnn… and honestly, same! So, enjoy some highlights from her first year — so much cuteness! 🦒💛

Thank you to her care team for capturing and sharing these special moments! 🧡

01/29/2025

Cake? Nah. Mini-me yam sculpture? Nope. But lettuce? Now that’s a celebration!🥬✨

JoAnn turns one today!🎉 And, while her carefully prepared goodies were a feast for the eyes, she went straight for the greens!🥬 No surprises there — she’s always been a "salad first" kind of girl!

As for the cake? Let’s just say her dad, Kelley, was happy to help with the leftovers! 😉

Which would you have gone for? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

#🦒

01/26/2025

We made it official...❤️

World Desert Day is now a recognized holiday!

The idea for World Desert Day began with a simple realization: unlike World Wetlands Day, Global Recycling Day, or the International Day of Forests, there wasn’t a holiday highlighting the unique value of deserts.

So, The Living Desert launched the first-ever World Desert Day celebration in 2024 and, during the past year, we've worked tirelessly to advocate for the recognition of this holiday at both the local and state levels. We were honored to collaborate with Assembly Member Greg Wallis and Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh to bring this celebration statewide.

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝘄𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆! 🎉

This milestone marks a major step forward in protecting California’s desert ecosystems while emphasizing their vital role in our environment and cultural heritage. By inspiring residents and policymakers to prioritize desert conservation, World Desert Day will serve as an annual call to action to preserve our precious desert home for future generations.🏜️🎊💚


01/25/2025

Sand cat? or Sun cat?☀️🐾

We think it could go either way!😉 But, one thing’s certain: Dune is a desert icon.

That thick floof he's sporting is for more than just looks. This fierce feline species has adapted to thrive in the harshest desert environments, with fur that keeps them warm during chilly nights and protects their paws from scorching hot sand.🐾

Talk about being 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 prepared!

📸: Team Member, Madison H.

01/18/2025

We go wherever deserts need defending!

This week, our President/CEO, Allen Monroe, was honored to attend a historic moment at the White House: the proclamation creating the Chuckwalla National Monument.

This designation protects over 624,000 acres of land in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, south of Joshua Tree National Park. These protected areas will include several key sites where The Living Desert has been conducting vital on-the-ground conservation work for many years. By restricting new development, this designation ensures the preservation of vital habitats and supports crucial initiatives led by The Living Desert and our partners to reintroduce species once lost to the region, such as the Sonoran pronghorn, the critically endangered desert tortoise, and desert pupfish.

This landmark achievement in conservation was made possible by the tireless, years-long efforts of Tribal Nations, federal and state officials, and local community members.

We’re proud to stand with our partners in protecting these incredible desert ecosystems — today and for generations to come. 🧡

01/12/2025

Incoming: 2,500 pounds of good news 🦏🎉

We’re thrilled to share that Nia has returned to the Rhino Savanna habitat after her successful surgery! 💚

Thanks to the expertise of our world-class veterinary and animal care teams, as well as support from some incredible visiting consultants, Nia’s journey to recovery has gone extremely well. During her time recovering behind the scenes, she worked with her care team and voluntarily participated in her post-op health care, received special enrichment, and even had some visits from Jaali, the male black rhino, across the barn.

Now fully healed, Nia has returned to her regular routine on habitat. Be sure to keep an eye out for her when you explore the savanna — or better yet, meet her up close by joining one of our Rhino Encounters!

Drop a comment to welcome her back! (We promise to read her every one 😉)

01/08/2025

To our neighbors and friends being affected by the devastating fires, please know that all of us at The Living Desert are thinking of you and are sending hugs your way.

Stay safe and take care. ❤

01/05/2025

The Acrisure Arena is about to get WILD!
🦏 🐆 🦅

Join us for the World Desert Day Takeover this Wednesday at the Coachella Valley Firebirds game.