THE LIVING DESERT

Programs: Collections: the living desert maintains one of the most notable and extensive living collections of desert flora and fauna in the united states. As one of only two zoos in the country with desert conservation as its mission, the living desert boasts a collection of 157 species and more than 660 individual desert animals. The botanical collection includes more than 50 distinct desert gardens with over 1,400 different desert plant species or varieties. The living desert also holds a collection of california plein air landscape art created by some of the nation's leading painters from 1900-1930. The education and outreach programs of the living desert incorporate all elements of these collections, plus the living desert's natural sonoran desert setting in the foothills of the santa rosa mountains.

membership/park services: the living desert has been a membership organization since it opened its operation almost 45 years ago. With memberships available at all price points (from $55 for individuals to more than $5,000 for special donative memberships) and perks accompanying the variety, the membership work of the living desert provides an expansion of the guest experience to include an ongoing relationship with the park's educational programming and special events. The park services department assures that every one of our more than 360,000 visitors annually have a top-rated experience, from the ease of parking and entry, to the enjoyment of the collections, to the outstanding community events that bring in an audience from across the coachella valley - a region noted not only for its resorts and visitor-friendly locations, but also its great diversity.

educational programming: the educational program of the living desert covers all elements of desert conservation awareness through many approaches. Besides informally reaching over 360,000 guests annually with nearly 200 acres of indoor and outdoor educational exhibits of the world's deserts, the living desert provides formal educational programming for more than 45,000 adults and children. This includes 25,000 school children who attend the zoo on scholarship. In addition to the on-site education offered through the school programs, living desert university for adults, zoo camp, and overnight starry safari adventures, the education program includes a unique outreach tool - the wildlife on wheels van. This allows us to take the zoo and the gardens to our local community, including special events elsewhere and schools that would not otherwise be able to learn firsthand about the adaptations and lives of desert animals. The tennity wildlife hospital offers a full slate of animal exams and medical procedures in support of our living animal collections is in view of the public providing a deep and rich educational experience in animal welfare seen in very few other locations in the nation. Throughout all of the work of the living desert, the mission of desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation is our constant focus.