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 deserts. To fill this gap, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens proudly launched the first-ever World Desert Day on January 13, 2024, to celebrate the beauty and importance of deserts worldwide. By pioneering this annual event, our goal was to rally support for desert preservation and wildlife conservation while highlighting the vital role deserts play in both our environment and culture.
Over 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 Assemblymember Greg Wallis, and Senator Ochoa Bogh to bring this important day to a wider audience.
Now, the celebration has taken a historic leap forward!
On January 9, 2025, the California Assembly unanimously passed ACR 8, a resolution introduced by Assemblymember Greg Wallis to officially designate the second Saturday of January as World Desert Day. Supported by a record-breaking 60 co-authors, this resolution highlighted the beauty and importance of California’s desert ecosystems and the incredible plants and animals that call them home.
Just days later, on January 17, SCR 5 Senator Ochoa Bogh was presented to the California State Senate, where it officially became a state-recognized holiday.
“Our deserts are among the most vibrant yet least understood ecosystems,” said Assemblymember Wallis. “This resolution is about celebrating the beauty and importance of our deserts while raising awareness about the challenges they face, such as habitat destruction and climate change.”
By establishing World Desert Day as an annual observance, we can reach more residents and policymakers to prioritize desert conservation efforts and protect these important ecosystems for future generations.
