Frequently Asked Questions

Why is The Living Desert directing $ .25 cents of every general admission ticket toward Quarters for Conservation?
Quarters for Conservation dramatically enhances The Living Desert’s ability to support conservation projects throughout the world. And the interactive aspect of Quarters for Conservation gets our visitors involved too! Visitors who pay a general admissions ticket price will be given a token at the gate to drop into any of the six project slots in the Quarters for Conservation booth. These projects have been carefully selected by our zoo’s curators, so you can feel confident that your contribution is going to a worthy and active project.

Can I contribute more than the $ .25 included in my admission?
Yes. We welcome additional donations in the form of loose change (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, fifty-cent pieces and dollar coins) at the Quarters for Conservation booth or through a Quarters for Conservation program sponsorship. Call 760-346-5694 x2163 for more information about the benefits of becoming a Quarters for Conservation sponsor.

How much of my donation goes toward the actual conservation project?
100 percent of your donation is directed toward the conservation project of your choice. Thank you!

Which projects has The Living Desert supported in the past?
In the 2010-2011 season The Living Desert’s Quarters for Conservation program debuted. The following projects were supported with great success:

Can I see all of the animals or habitats supported by Quarters for Conservation at The Living Desert?
Not all of the animals selected as beneficiaries of Quarters for Conservation are on exhibit at The Living Desert; however, we do prefer to support animals and conservation projects that originate from desert habitat similar to our own. You can find the following at our park: Addax, Jaguars, Peninsular Pronghorn, Desert Tortoise, Grevy’s Zebra, Saharan Ostrich, Mexican Wolf and Mecca Aster.

For how long are each of the projects represented through Quarters for Conservation?
The Living Desert runs each conservation project through the program for one year. So far, there has been one exception – the California desert tortoise. With a national conservation effort based at The Living Desert, these declining reptiles are of particular interest to us and our region.