Keystone Projects
Species are not declining because they forgot how to breed, eat, or otherwise secure what they need to survive. Species are declining because of human activity and our choices. As such, because people are the problem, people need to also be the solution.
Which is what we are doing here at The Living Desert. We’re leading more than 80 conservation initiatives, here in the deserts of Southern California and around the world.
Desert Tortoise Headstarting
Mongolian Conservation Initiative
Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit
BCCS Workshops & Training
Habitat Restoration
Within local desert ecosystems and beyond, endangered species and their habitats are being affected by climate change, human activity, and invasive species. The Living Desert is steadfastly working to re-establish healthy habitats through a holistic, multi-faceted approach that maintains and increases the number and diversity of native plants and animals.
Urban Habitat Restoration
Salt Creek Habitat Restoration
Community Engagement
We’re addressing the root causes of why species are declining through meaningful community engagement. By providing social science training to conservationists globally and collaborating with local businesses, community leaders, and youth, we foster a holistic approach that enhances human and wildlife co-existence, ensuring a brighter future for all.
Urban Habitat Restoration
Connecting People with Nature
Citizen Science Projects
At the Zoo
Conservation is a living practice at The Living Desert, where sustainable practices are not just promoted but actively implemented. Visitors can witness our commitment to conservation firsthand through various projects within the park, such as the headstarting of desert tortoise hatchlings, rearing of desert pupfish at Sonoran Pond, transforming waste into compost, and growing thousands of plants at the Desert Plant Conservation Center to restore natural areas across Southern California.
Stories from the Field
Sip to Save: How We’re Saving Species One Pint at…
Sipping a cold craft beer can be a great way to spend a hot summer afternoon — but did you know it can also help save species? Once there were...
Read Article
Pollinator Pathway Progress
By: Lou Thomas, Lead Conservation Biologist The Conservation Department is bee-yond excited to continue the Pollinator Pathway through the Coachella Valley. After building over thirty gardens in urbanized areas of...
Read Article
California Officially Recognizes World Desert Day
The idea for World Desert Day began when we realized that, unlike World Ocean Day, Global Recycling Day, or the International Day of Forests, no holidays advocate for the value of...
Read Article
Join Coyote Peterson for the International Desert Conservation Summit!
Deserts are home to some of the most unique and resilient species on Earth, but desert wildlife is in trouble. Rising temperatures and habitat loss are making it harder for...
Read Article