Fanciful Flyers: Hummingbirds and Butterflies

Opens October 10, 2009
Open Daily 10:00am - 4:30pm
Marian Miner Cook Pavilion, The Living Desert
760-346-5694 ext. 2000
Watch nature transform at The Living Desert's hummingbird and butterfly exhibit, featuring over 30 different beautiful species of butterflies and several species of hummingbirds roaming freely in a spacious screened house, Children and adults of all ages can experience these delightful creatures! The exhibit features a butterfly themed gift shop, Pupa Emergence Room, lush gardens and fountains. Admission: Non-members $2; Members: Free
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A Good Evening at Pacifica Restaurant

October 28, 2009
4:00 - 6:00pm
Pacifica Seafood Restaurant, Palm Desert
760-346-5694 ext. 2161
Enjoy a wonderful evening surrounded by beautiful mountain views at twilight, during this very special fundraising event hosted by Pacifica Restaurant. Proceeds from the event support The Living Desert's education programs and efforts to save endangered species. Guests will enjoy a delectable assortment of hors d'oeuvres and specially created Zootini cocktails. Ticket prices are $50 per person, which includes an annual individual membership to The Living Desert! For tickets or more information, contact Franchesca Forrer at 760-346-5694 ext. 2161 or email fforrer@livingdesert.org

Howl-O-Ween Harvest Happening

October 31, 2009
9:00am - 5:00pm
760-346-5694 ext. 2000
Join The Living Desert and presenting sponsor, The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, for a full day of howling fun at the zoo! Uncover clues on a scavenger hunt, sample seasonal foods in our Community Harvest Area, and paint pumpkins in our pumpkin patch! Guests will also enjoy tractor rides, children's activities, a bag of Halloween candy, live music and much, much more! Half-price park admission: $6.25 for non-members, members are free.

Garden Party

November 15, 2009
2:00 - 5:00pm
760-346-5694 ext. 2168
The Living Desert will host a Garden Party reception on the sun-filled grounds of The Cary Grant Estate in the Movie Colony neighborhood area of Palm Springs. Built in 1927, this secluded 1.54 Estate was actor Cary Grant's personal hideaway for two decades beginning in 1952 and is a copy of a 19th century Andalusian Spanish Farmhouse. Grant called his home "Las Palomas" which is Spanish for "The Doves". Enjoy libations, hors d'oeurves, delectable desserts, and special visits from our animal ambassadors. Tickets to this event are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (760) 346-5694, ext. 2168 or stopping by The Living Desert Administration, Admissions, or Membership Offices. For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact John Lambert at jlambert@livingdesert.org.
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WildLights Holiday Festival

November 25 - 28, 2009
December 18 - 23, 2009
December 26 - January 2, 2010
6:00pm - 9:00pm
760-346-5694 ext. 2000
Sponsored by The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation and the City of Indian Wells, The Living Desert will open the yuletide season with a festive light display, featuring more than 350,000 twinkling lights that illuminate the park after dark, turning the desert into a holiday winter wonderland. Special visits from Santa Claus, live music, wood-burning fireplaces, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, s'mores and more! WildLights admission is $7.75 for adults, $5.50 for children (ages 3-12), $6.00 for Living Desert members.

Fall Plant Sale

November 21 & 22, 2009
10am - 4:30pm
Come join us during our Plant Sales for a fabulous selection of desert native and desert adapted plants. The Living Desert's Palo Verde Garden Center has long held a reputation for having one of the most complete selections of Southwest desert plants in the state. We carry more specimen plants than ever before and have many "Hard-to-Find" rare, desert plants.

Jazz at the Living Desert with Roger Neumann

November 22, 2009, December 13, 2009, January 17, 2010,
February 7, 2010, March 7, 2010, and March 28, 2010.
4:00 & 6:15pm
760-346-5694 ext. 2160
During the 2009-2010 season each concert will feature the music of a different jazz legend played by Roger Neumann and Friends. Reserved cabaret style indoor table seating provides the audience with an intimate and vibrant musical experience. Advance paid reservations are required. Food and beverages are available for purchase as part of our patrons' support for the mission of The Living Desert. Concerts are scheduled November through March. For reservations or more information, please contact Ivy Lewis at 760-346-5694, ext.2160 or ilewis@livingdesert.org.

Diamonds in the Rough

January 24, 2010
2:00pm - 5:00pm
760-346-5694 ext. 2167
Diamonds used to be a girl's best friend, but now they're everyone's favorite, so round up your friends and make reservations to attend the best fundraiser of the season! Participants will follow a trail of clues to African Village WaTuTu, where they will find out who wins the 1 carat Brilliant-Cut Diamond, or one of 40 other gemstones all donated by local jeweler, Diamonds by Ron. Participants must be 18 years or older, reservations are encouraged, 300 spaces are available, and there are 41 beautiful gemstones to be won! Tickets are $50 per person. For reservations or more information, please contact Jane Twedt at the Living Desert, (760) 346-5694, ext 2167, or email to jtwedt@livingdesert.org.

Brew at the Zoo

February 24, 2010
5:00pm - 8:00pm
760-346-5694 ext. 2161
The Living Desert will soon be home to blues, brew, and barbecue at the 1st Annual Brew at the Zoo! Enjoy a wild selection of craft beer, cocktails, wine, barbecue and other delectable dishes. Tickets include deluxe beverage samples, appetizers, desserts, visits from desert animals, Rockin' Raffle, and live music. Tickets prices are: Over 21 - $35 Non-Member, $25 Member; Under 21 - $15 Non-Member, $10 Member. Proceeds from Brew at the Zoo support The Living Desert's education programs and efforts to save endangered species. For more information, please contact Franchesca Forrer at 760-346-5694 ext. 2161 or email fforrer@livingdesert.org.

19th Annual Living Desert Gala

March 21, 2010
5:00 - 9:00pm
760-346-5694 ext. 2168
The Living Desert will host its largest fundraising event, the 19th annual, A Wild Affair Gala on Sunday, March 21, 2010. One of the desert region's social highlights of the year, the event features a spectacular evening of cocktails, dinner, music, live and silent auction, and Tracks in the Sand Award for Conservation. Once again, held on-site at our zoo and gardens, proceeds from the Gala support our scholarship program for youth school tours, as well as our conservation programs (ex-situ and in-situ) for such species as Mexican wolf, cheetah, addax antelope, Peninsular pronghorn, Grevy's zebra, and the Mecca Aster. Tickets are $400.00 per person. For ticket and sponsorship information, please contact John Lambert at 760-346-5694, ext. 2168 or e-mail gala@livingdesert.org.
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Spring Plant Sale

March 27 & 28, 2010
10am - 4:30pm
Come join us during our Plant Sales for a fabulous selection of desert native and desert adapted plants. The Living Desert's Palo Verde Garden Center has long held a reputation for having one of the most complete selections of Southwest desert plants in the state. We carry more specimen plants than ever before and have many "Hard-to-Find" rare, desert plants.

Party for the Planet - Earth Day Celebration

April 17, 2010
9:00am - 5:00pm
760-346-5694 ext. 2000
Sponsored by Newman's Own and held on-site at The Living Desert, visitors can get back to nature with lots of fun activities for the kids, live entertainment, an art show, plant giveaways, and of course, all the cool animals at the zoo! There will also be many vendors and exhibitors, who are carefully chosen not only for the products they sell, but for their expertise and knowledge about desert life, education, preservation, and conservation. General Admission will be half price in honor of the celebration, members are free.

Mousetrap Ladies Invitational Golf Tournament

April 2010
8:00am - 3:00pm
760-346-5694 ext. 2168
Back in 1983, Diana "Mousie" Powell, widow of movie star Dick Powell, started what has now become the only amateur ladies golf tournament here in the desert. LPGA and World Hall of Fame Member, Amy Alcott will return to the event as honorary chairman. This event offers 120 women an exciting day of play, deluxe tee prizes, delicious luncheon, awards ceremony, and fabulous prize drawing. Proceeds from this event help expand The Living Desert's free education programs and efforts to save endangered native wildlife. For ticket and sponsorship information, please contact John Lambert at 760-346-5694, ext. 2168.

Mother's Day Breakfast

Late Spring Garden Walk Sunday, May 9, 2010
7:30am
Members $35, Non-members $45

We'll meet near the Admissions area before the park opens to the public, and transport you by shuttle to your destination. The morning begins with a delightful continental breakfast at the NEW Stephen B. Chase Administrative Complex. Afterwards, take a tour of the gardens with our knowledgeable Garden Department staff, followed by a wildflower walk with Mother Nature. Paid reservations are required.

Register online, or for more information, please contact the Education Department at 760-346-5694, ext. 2506 or send an email to cjanson@livingdesert.org.

Father's Day Breakfast

Behind-the-Scenes with Giraffe Sunday, June 20, 2010
7:00 am
Members $35, Non-members $45

Bring Dad to this special behind-the-scenes, where he can get up close and personal with our inquisitive long-necks! Before breakfast, join our zoo keepers for a once-in-a-lifetime visit at the Giraffe barn, where you and your guests will go behind the scenes to feed our beautiful reticulated giraffes and learn about this extraordinary endangered species. Then enjoy a delightful continental breakfast at the NEW Stephen B. Chase Administrative Complex. Paid reservations are required.

Register online, or for more information, please contact the Education Department at 760-346-5694, ext. 2506 or send an email to cjanson@livingdesert.org.