By: RoxAnna Breitigan, Chief Operating Officer
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens was founded 55 years ago because several champions of the desert anticipated that someday the Coachella Valley would evolve into a bustling resort town. Today, we continue that work to preserve and protect; to defend the deserts of the world and the one we call home. Whether you live here or are just visiting, you quickly understand the exceptional beauty of the desert and the way the cool night air or the warm sunny days can fill your soul. Some may ask why deserts are important. Is it the rich biodiversity that encompasses so many unique species, or the way these resilient species adapt and thrive in harsh environments? Or is it because they are full of valuable minerals and potential for solar and wind energy? If you spend any time at all in the desert, you may have your own reason why they are important. To us, here at The Living Desert, the answer is all of it. We are here to defend it all, for all of us today and for future generations tomorrow. We are Desert Defenders!
Being a Desert Defender is at the heart of The Living Desert’s mission, representing our dedication to protecting desert ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Through conservation, sustainability, and education, we empower individuals to take meaningful action to safeguard the desert’s future. Our goal is to strengthen our efforts by building a passionate community of advocates, amplifying our impact through collective action, and championing coexistence between people and wildlife. We know we cannot do this by ourselves; we need everyone to join us in this exciting new conservation initiative. Through small, consistent steps, we can all be Desert Defenders — allies for wildlife, water, and wild places. Being a Desert Defender is a commitment to positive change. At The Living Desert, we are demonstrating this commitment to individual-based actions in many ways:
- Our plant sales in the fall and spring are helping people understand the importance of planting native.
- By cultivating native pollinator gardens with local schools across the Coachella Valley, we are inspiring the next generation of Desert Defenders.
- The Bighorn Cafe now offers Zoo guests more plant-based options than ever before.
- To combat illegal plant and wildlife trafficking, we are educating and mobilizing individuals to vote for stronger wildlife protections.
- Our team members are each committed to our sustainability efforts, with 100% of staff waste being sorted into landfills, compost, or recycling.
Each one of these actions is making a positive difference for the desert environment. The Living Desert invites you to join us in this movement and take action where you live, shop, eat, and explore. We are stronger together and can make a real difference with the choices we make each day, big or small. Whether it is the unique ocotillo, the iconic desert tortoise, the abundant sunshine, or the resilience of the harsh elements that inspire you to defend the deserts, we ask you to join us.
