About the Zoo

Our mission is desert conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation.

Giraffe Savanna

About the Zoo

Conservation is at the heart of everything we do at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. We are actively engaged in 80+ projects around the world  including international field conservation efforts, local habitat restoration, and on-site initiatives. By connecting guests to individual animals in our immersive habitats, we strive to create conservation advocates for nature and wildlife.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has been a beloved institution in Southern California for over 50 years. An Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo and botanical garden, The Living Desert represents the desert environments of North America, Australia, and Africa with more than 150 species, 1,200 protected acres, and miles of hiking trails.

Today’s Progress

Conservation Projects
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Countries with Active Initiatives
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Animals in Our Care
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Plant Species at the Zoo
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Our Keystone Projects

Headstarting Desert Tortoise Hatchlings

The Living Desert collaborated with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Edwards Air Force Base, and the United States Geological Survey in a pioneering headstart program for critically endangered desert tortoises, significantly accelerating their growth to improve survival rates. This innovative approach addresses the critical absence of young tortoises in the wild by providing hatchlings with a nutrient-rich diet and optimal conditions to grow rapidly, enhancing their chances of reaching adulthood and contributing to the species’ conservation.

Bringing Back the Pronghorn

The Living Desert is actively involved in the recovery and reintroduction of two subspecies of pronghorn, once native to Southern California but extirpated since the 1940s due to hunting and habitat loss. Through partnerships with the Peninsular Pronghorn Recovery Program in Mexico and various Federal, State, and NGO partners, efforts are underway to breed and reintroduce these animals, known for being the second fastest land mammals, into their historic ranges, including eastern San Diego County and the California desert, with comprehensive habitat assessments at the Chuckwalla Bench to ensure their successful return and conservation.

Partnership with the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit

The Living Desert actively supports the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit and the Bush Babies Environmental Education Program in South Africa, initiatives combating wildlife poaching and promoting conservation education. By conducting research on the social impacts of these programs and assessing community perceptions of wildlife and conservation, The Living Desert aids in refining and expanding these efforts, demonstrating a commitment to community-based conservation strategies that aim to protect critically endangered species like the black rhinoceros and engage local communities in conservation awareness.

Building Community Conservation Success Globally

Recognizing that conservation challenges stem from human activities, The Living Desert’s Building Community Conservation Success (BCCS) workshops are redefining conservation efforts globally by equipping biologists with essential social science skills. These workshops train conservationists to engage effectively with communities, enhancing the success of conservation programs by aligning them with the needs of local ecosystems, species, and economies. With sessions conducted in 11 countries for over 471 participants from 31 countries, The Living Desert is leading the way in integrating community insights and needs into conservation strategies, thereby addressing the root causes of species decline and fostering sustainable coexistence.

Conservation through Co-Existence (Mongolia Partnership)

In a groundbreaking partnership with the Mongolian Conservation Initiative (MCI), holistic conservation strategies are being implemented in the Gobi Desert steppe of southeastern Mongolia to safeguard wildlife, ecosystems, and the livelihoods of nomadic herders. This collaboration, facilitated by The Living Desert, focuses on ecosystem restoration, biodiversity research, and community-led conservation in the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve. It represents a model for international cooperation in conservation, addressing threats to biodiversity and human well-being through direct engagement with local communities, researchers, and reserve managers, thereby ensuring the preservation of vital grassland ecosystems and the traditions of indigenous nomadic herders.

Our Leaders

Allen Monroe

President/CEO

RoxAnna Breitigan

Chief Operating Officer

Dwight Middendorf

CFO/Vice President of Information and Innovation

Jeff Petrovic

Chief Development Officer

Dr. James Danoff-Burg

Vice President of Conservation

Jenny Lynn Robinson

Interim Director of Marketing and Communications

Terrie Terrell

Vice President of People and Culture

Dr. Anna Young

Vice President of Learning and Impact

Brian Sawicki

Director of Park Design, Maintenance and Gardens

Careers

Join The Living Desert and be part of a passionate team dedicated to desert conservation. Here, every role contributes to inspiring actions that promote wildlife preservation and environmental education.

Free Family Membership

Paid Time Off

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance*

401(k) Plan after 6 months and 1,000 hours

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Professional Development Opportunities

View Open Roles

Our Board of Trustees

Chairman: Bill Appel *
Treasurer: Craig McCollam *
Secretary: Sandra Cooper Woodson *
President/CEO & Assistant Secretary: Allen Monroe *

  • Deborah Chapman*

  • Susan Cooper

  • Jeff Elder

  • Marylynn Gladstein

  • Phil Hasbrouck

  • Candace Holzgrafe*

  • Suz Hunt*

  • Michael Kiner

  • Justin McNulty

  • Jneil Nelson

  • Peter Scheer

  • Sally Simonds

  • Bill Simpkins

  • Phil Smith*

  • Mary Lou Solomon

  • Larry Spicer

  • Sam Spinello

  • Nancy L. Stegehuis*

*Board of Directors 

Karen Sausman, President Emerita

Curt Ealy, Trustee Emeritus

Brian S. Harnik – Roemer & Harnik, LLP, Legal Counsel

Advisory Counsel

City of Indian Wells – Mayor Bruce Whitman
City of Palm Desert – Mayor Jan Harnik
City of Rancho Mirage – Mayor Ted Weill
Coachella Valley Water District – Jim Barrett and Anthony Bianco
Visit Greater Palm Springs – Scott White and Davis Meyer

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Have a Question?

We are happy to help you! We’re always eager to share more about our work in conservation, education, and animal care.

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