January Is Member Month
We’re kicking off the new year by celebrating YOU during January Member Month at The Living Desert! Join us for a month full of exclusive events and experiences. Enjoy behind-the-scenes adventures, up-close animal encounters, and special opportunities created just for our members.
Your support is critical to our mission of preserving desert wildlife, and we’re excited to show our appreciation for all you make possible.
Not a member yet? Join today to unlock these amazing perks and help us protect desert ecosystems for generations to come!
Together, we’re creating a better future for desert wildlife and wild places — THANK YOU.
Coffee and Conservation: January 3
Location: Rhino Savana Conservation Station
Time: 9:00am-11:00am
Free for Members
Join us for a special presentation by Dr. Anna Young, our VP of Learning and Impact, and learn about the critical challenges birds are facing and the innovative solutions being developed to protect them. Plus enjoy a a cup of bird-safe coffee — ethically sourced to protect bird habitats!
After the presentation, you are invited for a Bird Walk with Kurt Leuschner, Professor of Natural Sciences at College of the Desert, to spot and learn about local bird species.
World Desert Day: January 10
Location: Legacy Garden, just past the Zoo entrance
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
Free for Members
Celebrate the deserts of the world — along with all the flora and fauna that call them home! Come join us to learn about desert plants and animals through guided tours, animal connections, and scavenger hunts. This event also features desert-themed cocktails, specialty food items, and a desert plant sale!
Yoga at the Zoo: January 10
NEW Location: Kookaburra Cafe Patio
Time: 9:00am-10:00am
Free for Members
Time to practice those Warrior, Goddess, and Downward (African painted) Dog poses with a one-hour yoga session led by instructor Sabrina Zellis.
To celebrate Member Month, a light spa breakfast will be provided during this session of Yoga at the Zoo. Yoga at the Zoo takes place every other Saturday.
Please Note: Participants will need to bring their own yoga mats and towels. This event welcomes all yoga experience levels.
International Desert Conservation Summit: January 16-18
Meet the visionaries shaping the future of desert conservation during The Living Desert’s 5th Annual International Desert Conservation Summit! This is a rare opportunity to learn about the innovative, community-driven efforts to protect deserts directly from the teams leading the charge!
As a member, you’re also invited to a special, intimate coffee chat with Craig Spencer and Lewyn Maefala from Transfrontier Africa on Sunday, January 18th at 8:00am. This exclusive session is the perfect way to connect with experts and dive deeper into the conservation work shaping desert ecosystems.
Get your tickets NOW before they’re gone! 
Sunset Stampede: January 24
Location: Palm Garden
Time: 3:30pm – 6:30pm
Saddle up for a rootin’ tootin’ good time! We’re throwing a Members-Only Western Bash that is sure to be the highlight of Members Month. Featuring a chuckwagon-style feast, boot-stompin’ live music, family-friendly games, and a special Wild West animal encounter with one of our Animal Keepers, this rootin’ tootin’ hoedown is the perfect way to make memories with fellow members in a festive, nature-filled setting.
Space is limited to the first 150 members — so book your tickets today!
We are looking forward to riding into the sunset with y’all at the Zoo!
Meet the Keeper - Guardians of the Hartman's Mountain Zebra: January 29
Location: Elders Grove in Village WaTuTu
Time: 9:00am-10:00am
Free for Members
Join us in celebrating International Zebra Day! Meet the Zoo’s dedicated animal care team who care for the beautiful herd of Hartmann’s Mountain zebras and get an inside look at it takes to look after these magnificent, striped wonders. You’ll also hear about the about vital conservation efforts protecting them in the wild.
Afterwards, visit the zebra habitat to observe the herd up-close and get an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience.
Walking Club: Every Tuesday and Thursday
Location: Palm Garden
Time: 8:00am-9:30am
Free for Members
Lace up and set off on an exclusive, members-only walking adventure at The Living Desert! As the Zoo comes alive in the morning light, explore alongside fellow members while soaking in the sights, sounds, and surprises around every bend. This 2-mile trek takes you past your favorite animals, through gardens bursting with new blooms, and along the way you’ll uncover fun Zoo facts and trade your favorite wildlife stories.
After the journey, refuel and reconnect at the Bighorn Cafe with a social meet-up featuring complimentary iced tea and coffee.
Space is limited to the first 150 members — so book your tickets today!
We are looking forward to riding into the sunset with y’all at the Zoo!
