The Living Desert - Living Desert University

Living Desert University

Where do the worlds of conservation and education meet? At Living Desert University (LDU), the Coachella Valley’s premier environmental learning center. Students learn how to preserve and protect the fragile beauty of our desert through a fun and fascinating series of adult classes and programs.

Living Desert University (LDU) offers desert residents the opportunity to become skilled and inspired desert gardeners, naturalists, habitat creators and artists. Our goal is to offer a broad range of classes that increase environmental sensitivity and ecological action in everyday life.

Classes include landscape design, gardening, natural history, ecology, geology, arts and crafts. Professional specialists, educators and Living Desert staff teach LDU classes. While class offerings are designed primarily for general education, credits for classes are recorded for those interested in our certificate programs, which include Master Desert Gardener, Master Desert Naturalist and Desert Backyard Habitat. Such programs have not been available previously in our desert area.

Click here to download 2007-2008 LDU Class Catalog.

Click here to browse and register for LDU classes.

Living Desert University Certificate Programs
Our Master Desert Gardener certificate program is designed to meet the needs of desert gardeners who would like to enrich their understanding of our desert environment and increase their skill in creating sustainable lifestyle gardens that are appropriate to the desert. The program promotes sensible gardening that preserves a sense of place and seeks to promote healthy, balanced and beautiful desert garden environments. This program is designed to offer students accurate horticultural information via classes that can be taken at one’s own pace, without the grueling number of volunteer hours and other requirements demanded by similar programs conducted elsewhere.

Click here for the Master Desert Gardener Worksheet

Click here for a list of current Master Desert Gardener Classes

The Master Desert Naturalist certificate program offers in-depth instructions in our local desert environment. Offerings feature class content on native flora and fauna, ecology, geology and natural history with an emphasis on direct experience. The classes are a blend of informative classroom lectures and discussions, as well as ‘real world’ experiences; including tracking, and interpretive hikes and walks led by our knowledgeable LDU instructors.

Click here for the Master Desert Naturalist Worksheet

Click here for a list of current Master Desert Naturalist Classes

Our Desert Backyard Habitat certificate program allows nature lovers to become an integral part of preserving our fragile desert environment. Learn to enjoy and create your own amazing and enriching biological theater, private pollinator garden and backyard oasis by earning your DESERT BACKYARD HABITAT CERTIFICATE! After completing the required classes and a successful site assessment, Desert Backyard Habitat certificate holders will receive a beautiful custom-made plaque and personalized certificate, suitable for framing. More importantly, applicants will have the pride of knowing that they are helping to protect native wildlife and our beautiful, fragile desert environment.

Click here for the Desert Backyard Habitat Worksheet

Click here for a list of current Desert Backyard Habitat Classes

Art Class Supply Lists
Click here for the Art Classes supply list. (Not all classes require students to bring supplies.)
Please note: Supply lists for each class are also available in our on-line catalog and registration system.

Travel with The Living Desert & Special Zoo Adventures

Each season, October through April, the Education Department offers a variety of trips to interesting and beautiful places. From day trips to the world renowned Getty Museum, Lotusland & Santa Barbara Zoo, or Salton Sea birding, to 2-7 day educational excursions whale watching at San Ignacio Lagoon, going behind the scenes at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center & Dinosaur Valley Park, or exploring beautiful Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands, traveling with fellow Living Desert members who share your interests is always a rewarding experience. We are certain you will find something to fit your schedule, budget and level of activity.

We also offer some ‘wild’ adventures closer to home! You can enjoy one of our Breakfast with the Keepers, or bring the family to a Flashlight Safari right here at The Living Desert. Come spend an hour or two with us on-grounds, for an experience you won’t soon forget!

Call the Education Department at 760-346-5694 ext. 2506 or follow the link below for more details on these you won’t want to miss.

Click here for more information on Travel with the Living Desert & Special Zoo Adventures.

“Love at the Zoo” sponsored by and benefiting the California Desert Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers

Click here for more information on “Love at the Zoo” as well as AAZK sponsored lectures and community events.

Click here to check your on-line registration account.