Annual Report: 2023-2024

2023-2024

Annual Report

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM Allen Monroe President/CEO

PRESIDENT EMERITA Karen Sausman

RoxAnna Breitigan Chief Operating Officer Dwight Middendorf CFO/Vice President of Information & Innovation Jeff Petrovic Chief Development Officer James Danoff-Burg, PhD Vice President of Conservation Allison Krupp Vice President of Marketing & Communications Terrie Terrell Vice President of People & Culture Anna Young, PhD Vice President of Learning & Impact

TRUSTEE EMERITUS Curt Ealy

LEGAL COUNSEL Brian S. Harnik Roemer + Harnik, LLP

THE LIVING DESERT BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2023/2024 ADVISORY COUNCIL

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

Dick Shalhoub

Deborah Chapman *

Sally Simonds

Marylynn Gladstein

Bill Simpkins

Jim Gould

BJ Skilling

Candace Holzgrafe *

Phillip K. Smith, Jr. *

H. Earl “Bud” Hoover II

Roger Snoble

Suz Hunt

Mary Lou Solomon

Michael Kiner

Larry Spicer

Jaishri Mehta

Sam Spinello

Jneil Nelson

Nancy L. Stegehuis *

Peter Scheer

Judy Vossler

City of Indian Wells Mayor Greg Sanders City of Palm Desert Mayor Karina Quintanilla and Council Member Kathleen Kelly City of Rancho Mirage Mayor Steve Downs and Council Member Ted Weill Coachella Valley Water District Jim Barrett and Anthony Bianco Visit Greater Palm Springs Scott White and Davis Meyer Carol Wright

Michael Schreter *Board of Directors

Contents

4

14

24 32 2 A Letter from Our President/

38 Year-at-a-Glance:

3 Our Impact

40 Lifetime Giving

4 Animal and Veterinary Care

43 Heritage Society Members

14 Conservation

44 2023-2024 Roll of Donors

24 Learning and Impact

46 Through the Years

32 Gardens

48 Thank You for Your Support

36 Park-Wide Events

49 Financials for Fiscal Year

Top right photo by O. Rentsen

CEO & Chairman of the Board

Donor Support

A Letter from Our President/CEO & Chairman of the Board THE ANNUAL REPORT provides a chance to pause and reflect on what has been accomplished over the last year. As we look back, one thing jumps out — The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens accomplished an awful lot. Using a sports analogy, we are batting above average. As a middlesized zoo, in a small metropolitan area, there is a lot to be proud of.

Allen Monroe, President/CEO in the Australian Adventures habitat with a kookaburra.

These projects and many more are possible because of the generous support of the local community.

Your investment in The Living Desert pays educational and conservation dividends that cannot be matched.

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Annual Report 2023-2024

Our mission of providing exceptional learning opportunities has flourished in the last year under the leadership of Dr. Anna Young. Her team has spread our educational message of desert conservation to diverse audiences ranging from toddlers to senior citizens. The impact of these programs can be seen through the community participation in our STEAM Day, Xerophilous event, and World Desert Day. Our Conservation Department, led

by Dr. James Danoff-Burg is engaged locally in projects ranging from head starting the critically endangered desert tortoise, restoring degraded habitats with plants grown here at The Living Desert, and building conservation capacity in the Native American communities.

Internationally, this year has seen the continued growth of our efforts in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia.

This multi-faceted project includes putting satellite collars on argali sheep to monitor their migration patterns, to help ensure that the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve boundaries cover all their range. The team also

wing-bands cinereous vultures to monitor their movement patterns, observing where they fly in the winter — turns out South Korea!

These projects and many more are possible because of the generous support of the local community.

Your investment in The Living Desert pays educational and conservation dividends that cannot be matched.

And of course, without The Living Desert’s incredible team of 218 employees and 477 volunteers, these programs and events would not have come to fruition. These dedicated professionals — from all areas of the Zoo — work tirelessly to ensure guests have the “best day ever” experience, all while advancing our mission of desert conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation.

We are thankful for our fantastic community, including members, supporters, and partners throughout the Coachella Valley and beyond.

Within the past year, we have achieved so much with your help. As we move into the next year, we are motivated and honored to continue this critical work. It is important for us all to remember that deserts are not deserted. They are filled with unique plants and animals that need our help.

Allen Monroe, President/CEO

Bill Appel, Chairman of the Board

OUR IMPACT

54 1/2 MILLION OVER

Years in Operation

ANNUAL VISITORS TO THE PARK

624 ANIMALS IN OUR CARE 51,642 117 143 52 1,000+ 13,510

477

VOLUNTEER HOURS

VOLUNTEERS

ANIMAL SPECIES

SPECIES ON THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES

GARDENS

80+

466

PLANT SPECIES

CONSERVATION PROJECTS ON 3 CONTINENTS

ZOOCAMP PARTICIPANTS

70+

25,042

FIELD TRIP PARTICIPANTS

MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS

GLOBAL CONSERVATION PARTNERS

80

COACHELLA VALLEY SCHOOLS OF WHICH 80% ARE TITLE 1 SCHOOLS, PLUS 295 REGIONAL SCHOOLS

41 YEARS OF AZA

International Union for Conservation of Nature

ACCREDITATION

PUBLIC OPINION

As of 8/16/2024

USA TODAY’S

10VOTEDBEST #4 BEST

BEST OF THE BEST READERS’ CHOICE #1 BEST ATTRACTION

ZOO EXHIBIT AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURES

#1

THING TO DO IN PALM DESERT

AS SEEN ON 4.7 STARS

4.5 STARS THE 26 BEST ZOOS IN THE U.S. Annual Report 2023-2024 3

Meerkats are a member of the mongoose family and work together in “mobs” to raise young.

Animal and Veterinary Care

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ANIMALS IN OUR CARE

624 53 41 37 143 10 1 1 ANIMALS

MAMMAL SPECIES

AVIAN SPECIES

REPTILE SPECIES

SPECIES

ARTHROPOD SPECIES

AMPHIBIAN SPECIES

AQUATIC SPECIES

117

SPECIES AT THE ZOO ARE ON THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES

LEAST CONCERN

DID YOU KNOW? The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. Of the 235 accredited members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, The Living Desert is one of only 14 members of IUCN.

NEARLY THREATENED

VULNERABLE

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ENDANGERED

82 7 12 10 6

The Living Desert has been an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for 41 years.

36

at the Zoo are part of Species Survival Plan® Programs (SSPs). SSPs are a collaborative program among fellow AZA accredited institutions to ensure genetic diversity and sustainability in human care populations.

SPECIES

Annual Report 2023-2024 5

New Arrivals Over the last year, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens welcomed the births of 17 animals, including these species.

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Giraffe calves — vulnerable

Addra gazelle calves — critically endangered

Meerkat pups

Spur-wing lapwing chicks

Thank you for the generous Adopts! gifts from longtime supporters Brooke Koehler, William Rodriguez, Jason and Rob Ollander-Krane, and the family of JoAnn McGrath. These thoughtful donations went toward naming new births including JoAnn the giraffe, Daniel the giraffe, William aka Billy the yellowfooted rock wallaby, and Murray the meerkat.

Northern bald ibis chicks — endangered

Yellow-footed rock wallaby joey — near threatened

Annual Report 2023-2024

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ANIMAL WELLBEING at The Living Desert is woven into every aspect of the culture. Every department and employee contributes to ensuring the highest-level of care, from the maintenance team who builds engaging features for animal habitats to stimulate natural behaviors; to the gardens team who grows an array of plant species that animals love to eat; to the expert animal care keepers who know the animals’ individual personalities and needs.

At the forefront of animal wellbeing culture, The Living Desert has a robust team of two leaders and two animal keepers who are dedicated to behavior and wellbeing. Together, the team consults with areas across the Zoo to solve behavior

Animal Wellbeing conundrums, coach keepers on how to train animals for participation in their own health care, and maintain the ambitious standards The Living Desert has for the wellbeing of all animals. The goal is that animals’ whole life experience includes the ability to demonstrate their natural behaviors, have agency over their decisions, and that they can make choices in their environment similar to choices their wild counterparts would make. These goals are for animals from birth until end of life — 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day — and the teams at the Zoo cater to every animal at both a species level and an individual level. Through proactive welfare monitoring and compassionate lifelong care, the team at The Living Desert is at the forefront of animal science and the animal care field.

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The Living Desert’s Behavior and Wellbeing team (from left to right): Curator Tim Van Loan, Assistant Curator Heather Shields, Lead Keeper Brittani Brown, and Keeper Isabel Frabotta.

Animal Care Team: Guiding Principles Provide an excellent, optimal level of wellbeing for each individual in our care – both animals and humans.

Provide a high quality of veterinary medicine for each animal species in our care.

Provide engaging and inspiring messaging to each guest so they make a positive difference in the world for desert conservation.

Von der Decken’s hornbill

Spur-winged lapwing

African Aviary

Northern bald ibis

A NEW, LARGER HABITAT for the ibis flock was completed in early March. In addition to the two ibis species, the African Aviary is home to a Von der Decken’s hornbill and spur-winged lapwings. Shortly after moving into the aviary in mid-March, several new additions joined the flock! Two endangered northern bald ibis — also known as waldrapp ibis — hatched in mid-May, followed by four spur-winged lapwing chicks that hatched in late April. Also new in the African Aviary space is an engaging connections area where Zoo guests can get a unique, up-close encounter with different animals.

Hadada ibis

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TOP: Ash Arons, Browse Coordinator and Jared Moeller, Animal Care Curator work in collaboration for the Zoo’s browse program. In the background, Nia is browsing on a sweet acacia tree.

BOTTOM: Browse trees, like these acacias, will eventually be used as food for some of the Zoo’s animals, including black rhinoceros.

WHAT IS BROWSE? Browse refers to any type of tree or shrub that is consumed by animals for food. This term comes from how trees and shrubs typically grow at a higher level and require reaching or upward movement to obtain the leaves, twigs, or bark. Animals that do this are called browsers.

HOW DOES THE BROWSE PROGRAM WORK? Many of the plants around the Zoo are browsable and as the gardens team prunes these browse trees, they bring the material to the animal habitats to feed our browsers.

WHICH ANIMALS AT THE LIVING DESERT EAT BROWSE PLANTS? The Zoo’s two largest browsers are black rhinoceros and giraffe but most of our antelope, gazelles, and other ungulates consume browse as well. The story does not end there; wallabies, tortoises, and even rodents will forage on browse. For instance, our porcupines love eating bark off logs.

HOW DOES THE BROWSE PROGRAM IMPROVE ANIMAL WELLBEING? Feeding browse improves animal wellbeing in a multitude of ways such as offering animals the closest approximation possible to their natural foods, providing nutrients, and improving gut health. Browse can take longer for animals to consume than hay or pellets, keeping animals active in more natural ways. Chewing leaves and bark can also wear down teeth and work jaw muscles in a more natural way preventing future health problems.

Browse Program BROWSE FORAGE and the programs supporting this goal are one of the frontiers of animal wellbeing. At The Living Desert, the gardens and animal care teams work closely together on an innovative, new browse program that encourages the health of both the Zoo’s botanical and animal residents. Learn more about how this partnership works with Jared Moeller, Animal Care Curator and Ash Arons, Browse Coordinator.

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WHAT ARE SOME BROWSE PLANT SPECIES GROWN ON GROUNDS? One of the great goals of our browse program is to create a diverse diet for our herbivores that better matches what their wild counterparts are eating. As such, the gardens and animal care teams work closely together to bring in new plant species to the gardens. The Zoo’s long-standing commitment to desert plants has ensured our animals have a rich diversity of plants to eat. In fact, many plant species offered to our animals are the same they would naturally eat in the wild. Our wallabies munch on thornless varieties of Australian acacias and bottlebrush trees. Our rhinos and giraffe eat many famous African tree species such as marula, sausage tree, and various thorny acacias. This does not discount the many desert native plants our animals enjoy such as palo verde, desert ironwood, and catclaw acacia.

THE LIVING DESERT AT THE FOREFRONT OF CHANGE The potential benefits for enriching experiences, animal nutrition, and physiological health are endless for animals. However, the benefits for furthering zoos as centers for conservation and sustainability are equally as interesting. The Living Desert continues to join colleagues from around the globe in pushing this frontier forward.

One Big Step

DID YOU KNOW? n

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED black rhinos Nia and Jaali arrived at The Living Desert in 2021 as part of a Species Survival Plan® (SSP) recommendation, a collaborative program among fellow accredited institutions to ensure genetic diversity and sustainability in human care populations. Until they reached the appropriate size, weight, and maturity to be introduced as a breeding pair, Nia and Jaali were able to approach and greet each other while separated by a barrier in certain areas of their innovative Rhino Savanna habitat.

In October 2023, it was finally time for the first momentous meeting without a barrier! Under close supervision of the animal care team, Jaali and Nia were able to interact and engage with each other several times, both rhinos showing positive behavior. Black rhinos are solitary by nature, so Jaali and Nia will continue to live on separate sides of the habitat — but will be meeting again when the timing is right for Nia.

n

n

n

There are five species of rhinoceros on the planet.

Black rhinos are categorized as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

Only about 6,000 black rhinos are left in the world.

Main threats to this species are habitat loss and poaching for the illegal wildlife trade.

Annual Report 2023-2024 11

World Giraffe Day

TO CELEBRATE World Giraffe Day, The Living Desert opened Giraffe Savanna for a truly unique experience. Guests were welcomed onto the habitat where giraffe, ostrich, and greater kudu normally roam! There, they learned more about the gentle giant from conservationists, scientists, and animal care experts. Many people are unaware that this vulnerable species is suffering from a “silent extinction” — mainly due to habitat loss.

World Giraffe Day is typically celebrated on June 21, to honor the long neck of the giraffe on the longest day of the year. However, in addition to June 21, The Living Desert held a second World Giraffe Day on December 21 — the shortest day of the year — to embrace the incredible winter weather of the desert!

A Story of Resilience THE STORY OF SOLEIL ELLEN the Mexican wolf is one of strength and hope in the face of loss thanks to The Living Desert’s veterinary and animal care teams combined with the incredibly resilient spirit of an animal. After landing awkwardly from a jump in late 2023, three-year-old Soleil Ellen injured her foot. These types of injuries are not uncommon among wolves, even in their natural habitats. Unlike her wild counterparts, Soleil Ellen received immediate, expert veterinary care. The team consulted with multiple experts in the field, and it was determined that amputation was the best and most humane course of action for Soleil Ellen. After a successful surgery, she healed quickly — moving around the next day and returning to her habitat just two weeks later.

Today, Soleil Ellen is continuing to thrive on her habitat in Eagle Canyon with packmates Drew Hudson and Paul Newman, where they are ambassadors for their endangered Mexican wolf species. With her tremendous spirit, Soleil Ellen was able to quickly adapt to life with three legs. The animal care team has seen her return to normal pack behavior and even run as fast as her four-legged packmates!

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Learn more about Soleil Ellen’s story at LivingDesert.org/ SoleilEllenUSAToday

Small Carnivore, Big Impact

ABOVE: Black-footed cat TOP LEFT: A male black-footed cat is prepped for semen collection

by Morgan Dustin, Lead Veterinary Technician at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.

TOP RIGHT: At The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens’ Tennity Wildlife Hospital, a female black-footed cat undergoes an artificial insemination procedure. Vice President of Conservation Science at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium Jason Herrick, PhD (left) and Colleen Lambo, DVM, PhD (right).

BLACK-FOOTED CATS are a small African carnivore. Scientific study and conservation of these fierce little cats has been limited, leaving us with little information on their natural history or conservation status in the wild. Additionally, their genetic diversity is at very low levels in zoos.

The Living Desert is home to multiple breeding pairs of black-footed cats at the Desert Carnivore Conservation Center (DC3), a behind-the-scenes habitat and breeding center for small desert carnivores like the blackfooted cat, fennec fox, and sand cat.

Under human care, reproduction in these species has been challenging and there is little known about their husbandry management to facilitate breeding. Additionally, sand cat, black-footed cat, and fennec fox are vastly underrepresented in zoos.

To further help with human care management of the black-footed cat population, The Living Desert is part of a new collaborative effort between other scientists and accredited

zoos on artificial insemination (AI) procedures of this species. In June, sperm was collected from Finn, a male black-footed cat, at The Living Desert’s Wildlife Hospital. This fresh specimen was then used for a laparoscopic artificial insemination on Tad, one of The Living Desert’s female black-footed cats. This pair had a successful, natural birth about two years ago, but have been unable to reproduce naturally since then. A successful artificial insemination birth in this species has yet to be achieved and this important work helps to establish baseline information for the reproductive needs of the blackfooted cat.

By sharing insights gleaned from these collaborative endeavors, The Living Desert aims to inspire collective action and promote greater awareness of the importance of partnerships and thoughtful program management for preserving small carnivore species for future generations.

Annual Report 2023-2024 13

Conservation The Living Desert partners with the Mongolian Conservation Initiative to help protect and monitor species within the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, such as the cinereous vulture.

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Local and Global Conservation THE CONSERVATION TEAM is on a mission to advance arid ecosystem conservation through ecological restoration while addressing the human dimensions of conservation.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND SOCIAL IMPACTS The Living Desert is transforming how conservation is being done through social science training for conservationists across the globe as well as with local businesses, community members, community leaders, and youth groups.

RESTORING HABITATS To ensure both immediate and long-lasting habitat restoration successes, The Living Desert uses a multi-faceted approach to provide native food plants and improved habitat for surrounding wildlife as well as greening spaces within urban areas.

AT THE ZOO The Zoo’s conservation mission continues on grounds through both promoting and implementing sustainable practices. Some of our field conservation projects can even be seen in action throughout the park.

Annual Report 2023-2024 15

Our Global Field Conservation Reach 80+ projects, 3 continents, 11 countries, 70+ global conservation partner organizations SC

SW

BC

Each project strives to advance conservation to benefit the entire ecosystem and the people living in it.

The below species are a few examples of wildlife that benefit from our work.

C S K T

The Living Desert works with the following partners on projects across the world.

C CHAD • Black Rhino African Parks • Scimitar-Horned Oryx Sahara Conservation

SC SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

• Desert Pupfish U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) • Desert Tortoise USFWS, Coachella Valley Mountain Conservancy (CVMC), United States Geological Survey (USGS), CDFW, BLM, California Energy Commission, Joshua Tree National Park, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) • Desert Willow BLM • Honey Mesquite Coachella Valley Preserve, BLM • Smoketree BLM • Sonoran Pronghorn USFWS, Arizona Department of Fish and Game, CDFW, BLM, Department of Defense • Western Monarch Monarch SAFE, CVMC • Western Pond Turtle USGS, CDFW, BLM, Western Pond Turtle SAFE 16 Annual Report 2023-2024

N

B

Z

SA

N NAMIBIA • Cheetah Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), University of Namibia (UNAM)

BC BAJA CALIFORNIA • Peninsular Pronghorn Peninsular Pronghorn Recovery Project, BLM, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, San Diego Natural History Museum, Ministry of the Environment in Mexico • Vaquita Pesca ABC, Vaquita SAFE, Marine Mammal Care Center, Museo de la Ballena in La Paz, Vaquita CPR

SA SOUTH AFRICA • Black Rhino Transfrontier Africa (TA), Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit (BMAPU), Bush Babies Environmental Education Program (BBEEP) • Cape Parrot Cape Parrot Project (CPP) • Giraffe TA, BMAPU, BBEEP • Greater Kudu TA, BMAPU, BBEEP • White Rhino TA, BMAPU, BBEEP

SW SOUTHWESTERN USA • Mexican Wolf USFWS, Endangered Wolf Center, California Wolf Center, Saint Louis Zoo

B BOTSWANA • Cheetah Cheetah Conservation Botswana, Botswana Wildlife Training Institute

Giraffe Tanzania

M

Mexican Wolf Southwestern USA

Z ZIMBABWE

Argali Sheep Mongolia

Argali sheep photo courtesy Jack Kerivan

• African Painted Dog Painted Dog Research Trust, Painted Dog Conservation, National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Lupane State University (LSU) • White Rhino Imvelo Safari Lodges, NUST, LSU T TANZANIA • Black Rhino Wild Nature Institute (WNI), College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka (CAWM) • Elephant WNI, CAWM • Giraffe WNI, CAWM K KENYA • Black Rhino Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lewa Conservancy • Cheetah Action for Cheetahs in Kenya, COOL Crafts

• Grevy’s Zebra Grevy’s Zebra Trust • Lion Maasai South Rift Association of Land Owners, African Conservation Centre, Ewaso Lions S SOMALILAND • Cheetah Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)

Grevy’s Zebra Kenya

M MONGOLIA • Argali Sheep Mongolian Conservation Initiative • Cinereous Vulture Mongolian Conservation Initiative • Siberian Ibex Mongolian Conservation Initiative Annual Report 2023-2024 17

Mongolian Conservation Initiative

Argali sheep in Ikh Nart Nature Reserve.

IKH NART NATURE RESERVE PROTECTS: n

40 mammal species

n

200 bird species

n

7 reptile species

n

Pastures for 150 traditional herding families

Throughout the past year, The Living Desert team members – from animal care, veterinary care, learning and impact, gardens, and conservation – traveled to Ikh Nart Nature Reserve. There, they collaborated with skilled MCI staff on wildlife veterinary medicine, livestock-wildlife disease transmission, habitat restoration, protected area management, sustainable ranching, and conservation biology. In turn, to build a capacity of Ikh Nart reserve managers, Mongolian Delegates came to The Living Desert in November 2023. This ongoing annual exchange is not only educational for both teams, but also a wonderful experience in binational conservation collaboration.

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Photo courtesy Jack Kerivan

THE LIVING DESERT BEGAN a binational collaboration with the Mongolian Conservation Initiative (MCI) in July of 2023. This innovative partnership approaches conservation in the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, located in the Gobi Desert, from a holistic method to amplify and extend the current work of MCI to benefit both the wildlife and nomadic herder livelihoods. Gana Wingard has been the leader of the well-established and successful MCI for over 20 years, working to conserve the biodiversity of Ikh Nart. Now also the Curator of Conservation-Mongolia with The Living Desert, Gana splits her time between the Zoo and Ikh Nart.

Habitat Restoration in Mongolia and Beyond Habitat restoration is a critical, long-term element in saving species.

The Living Desert is steadfastly working to re-establish healthy habitats within desert ecosystems through a holistic, multi-faceted approach that maintains and increases the diversity and number of native plants and animals. n The Living Desert has worked

Cinereous vulture measuring, banding, and wing-tagging.

directly to help enhance over 300 acres at Ikh Nart Nature Reserve in Mongolia and 162 acres in Southern California. n Rock structures promote water

Cinereous Vulture Research

Flying vulture photo courtesy O. Rentsen

Ikh Nart Nature Reserve is a critically important breeding site for cinereous vultures and hosts the highest recorded density of their nests in Mongolia. Understanding nesting ecology and movement patterns of the cinereous vulture is essential for the long-term conservation and persistence of this ecologically and culturally significant species. Since 2003, the Mongolian Conservation Initiative has been monitoring nesting pairs from incubation to fledging. Beginning in 2009, the team began monitoring cinereous vulture movement patterns all the way to South Korea.

The team’s long-term cinerous vulture research concluded that only vulture fledglings migrate to South Korea, and adult cinerous vultures remain in Mongolia throughout the year. How juvenile vultures learn their migration route between Mongolia and South Korea remains unknown.

These results have important conservation implications, including the need to conserve vultures

Cinereous vulture in Ikh Nart

retention and percolation for surrounding native plants and wildlife. Over 150 of these rock structures have been built in Mongolia and over 360 smaller structures have been built in Southern California — specifically near the Orocopia mountains.

Local Efforts n Over 150 trees and over 1,000

native plants have been outplanted throughout the Coachella Valley to benefit endangered species such as the desert tortoise and the desert pupfish. n To date, over 900 plants and

throughout and along the breeding, migration, and over-wintering ranges in South Korea.

17,000 seedlings have been grown or propagated on-site for outplanting as part of habitat restoration projects.

In August 2024, the team furthered this essential research by successfully measuring, banding, and wing-tagging 77 cinereous vulture fledglings.

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Conservation Social Science Why is social science so essential for conservation efforts?

Social science allows us to address the root cause of the issue rather than just addressing the symptoms; human behaviors are the cause of our conservation problems. Even if we can protect or restore an ideal habitat for a species, we will not have long-term success with its conservation if people, particularly local communities, do not support the efforts or change their behaviors.

SOCIAL SCIENCE is the study of people, including their behaviors, attitudes, values, relationships, and cultures. Learn more about how this critical element is implemented in conservation efforts at The Living Desert with Conservation Social Scientist Katie Shaw.

Native American Capacity Building 20 Annual Report 2023-2024

How does social science enhance ongoing conservation field projects?

Social science and ecological restoration often work hand in hand to address conservation problems more holistically. For example, The Living Desert works to improve and restore habitat for the desert tortoise. Yet, one of the main threats to the desert tortoise is raven predation because locally there is an overabundance of ravens due to human-provided food subsidies.

Even with a beautifully restored habitat, the desert tortoise will not

be able to thrive if most juveniles continue to be eaten by ravens. We need to incorporate social science to promote behavior change, which in this case means reducing ravens’ access to food subsidies.

In your work at The Living Desert, what projects have been the most meaningful?

I love the work we do locally, integrating social science into desert tortoise conservation efforts to help protect an iconic species of our desert. Co-teaching our Building Community Conservation Success workshops in several countries in Africa has also been incredibly meaningful. The Living Desert enables us to provide this workshop for conservation biologists and students to teach them about important social science principles and tools they can use to better engage with local communities for more successful conservation efforts. It’s been a joy to work with such passionate conservationists across Africa.

THERE IS A PROFOUND need for more Indigenous voices in the field of conservation. Conservation cannot be successful without engaging people from all communities as ambassadors, advocates, and leaders. Thanks to a generous grant from the California Natural Resources Agency, The Living Desert has completed two years of the Torres Martinez Youth Environmental Ambassador (TM-YEA) program. In collaboration with The Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe, Native American Land Conservancy, Outward Bound Adventures, and Friends of the Desert Mountains, this youth-led, paidwork program aims to encourage Indigenous youth to reconnect with their land and become conservation leaders of the future.

This year, the Zoo began the Native American Conservation Workforce Development Program (NACWD), thanks to a grant from the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy. NACWD aims to provide an accessible opportunity for paid workforce conservation training to local Tribal members. The program focuses on foundational western science skills and participants share Traditional Ecological Knowledge from their Tribes. Discussions are held regarding how to best integrate these approaches.

Building Community Conservation Success THROUGH A PIONEERING new approach to species survival, The Living Desert works with conservationists and community members throughout the world to build skills among conservationists to better address the specific needs within each ecosystem.

This system-level approach creates better conservation plans working with local communities that help to reduce human-wildlife conflict.

“

Findings and learnings from the course were shared with Imvelo stakeholders and local traditional leaders, who were delighted to take part in the process and have their ideas heard and shared. We are so grateful for our friends at The Living Desert for their enthusiasm and commitment to this programme — see you next year!”

— Hannah Trantner, leader of the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative for Imvelo Safari Lodges

In April 2024, The Living Desert partnered with Imvelo Safari Lodges to hold a Building Community Conservation Success (BCCS) workshop with 20 students from Lupane State University and the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe.

Over 10 days, scientists from The Living Desert and Imvelo staff worked with students on topics including data collection in the field, theoretical and practical skills, foundational social science principles, and visits to the community. This workshop was the fifth workshop that The Living Desert completed in the last year!

TOP: Vice President of Conservation Dr. James Danoff-Burg is visited by a white rhino while working on-site at Imvelo Safari Lodges in Zimbabwe. ABOVE: Dr. Danoff-Burg and Conservation Social Scientist Katie Shaw with local community leaders and students of the BCCS workshop near Hwange National Park.

BCCS WORKSHOPS OVER THE LAST 6 YEARS:

27

classes completed

505

individuals trained

32

countries affected

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Headstarting Desert Tortoises

DESERT TORTOISES ARE A KEYSTONE SPECIES within their southwestern desert ecosystems and are the California state reptile. Listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 2020, the desert tortoise was also recognized as endangered by California Department of Fish and Wildlife in April 2024. Currently, only less than 1% of juvenile desert tortoises reach reproductive age in the wild due to habitat fragmentation, climate change, and predation.

To help increase survival rates of juvenile desert tortoises in the wild, The Living Desert works with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and Edwards Air Force Base as part of a collaborative, multi-step headstart program.

At The Living Desert’s Tennity Wildlife Hospital, three cohorts of desert tortoise eggs and hatchlings have completed the indoor rearing phase of the headstart program where they were cared for in a temperature-controlled environment and given a nutrient-rich diet to help improve growth rates and develop a more protective carapace. Once re-released into the wild, the headstart program helps to protect the juvenile tortoises from raven and coyote predation. The program will continue with a fourth cohort that arrived in August 2024.

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TOP AND RIGHT: After the indoor and outdoor rearing phases, the desert tortoise hatchlings are released back into the wild.

CENTER: During the indoor rearing phase, each tortoise is measured weekly to track growth rates.

International Desert Conservation Summit Meet the Conservation Heroes and speakers of the event: n Toby Otieno, Director of Impact

A GROUNDBREAKING conservation event was hosted by The Living Desert on February 2-4. The successful International Desert Conservation Summit was a gathering of experts from around the world including South Africa, Mongolia, Mexico, Botswana, Kenya, and the United States. These experts are dedicated to partnering with local communities to save the plants and animals who call the desert home. The keynote speaker was Jeff Corwin, renowned conservationist, environmental journalist, and current host of ABC’s Wild Nation with Jeff Corwin.

Spanning three days, the International Desert Conservation Summit included panels, presentations, and excursions

throughout The Living Desert. This year’s summit highlighted women in conservation, community-based conservation and educational outreach in Sub-Saharan Africa and Mongolia, conservation in the Southern California and Baja Mexico deserts, and efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict around the globe. As part of the summit, The Living Desert awarded eight Conservation Heroes a total of more than $150,000 to further their impact of saving threatened and endangered species and ecosystems.

and Operations at Ewaso Lions, Kenya n Tim Shields, Founder/President of Hardshell Labs, USA n Jane Horgan, Engagement and Awareness Coordinator at Cheetah Conservation Botswana, Botswana n Gana Wingard, Founder of Mongolian Conservation Initiative, Mongolia; and Curator of Conservation-Mongolia at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, USA n Enrique Sanjurjo, Executive Director at Pesca ABC, Mexico n Craig Spencer, Founder of Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, South Africa n Lewyn Maefala, Project Manager of the Bush Babies Environmental Education Program, South Africa n Joe Zebrowski, Instructor at New Mexico Highlands University, USA, and Research Affiliate, Mongolian Conservation Initiative

TOP: The Conservation Heroes of the International Desert Conservation Summit with Keynote Speaker Jeff Corwin and staff of The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.

RIGHT: Jeff Corwin Annual Report 2023-2024 23

Caption

ZooCampers during an “artful impressions” themed summer session.

Learning and Impact

24 Annual Report 2023-2024

The Learning and Impact team is on a mission to inspire lifelong learners and ignite a passion for desert conservation.

Department Vision Statements Learning and Community Engagement

ZooTeens

Conservation action is relevant and achievable for all.

To develop and empower the next generation of zoo and conservation professionals.

Volunteer and Interpretive Programs

Sustainability and Behavior Change

We are a community of passionate volunteers that lead and inspire impactful change for conservation.

Sustainability is a shared, perpetual, and joyful practice that unites and benefits the entire community.

Annual Report 2023-2024 25

“

This experience has sparked curiosity, inspired dreams, and empowered our girls to believe in their capabilities.”

—Peter K. Sturgeon, President/Chief Executive Officer of the Ophelia Project

Cultivating Tomorrow’s Conservation Heroes

Women in STEAM Career Day

HIGHLIGHTING WOMEN in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) fields holds immense significance as it contributes to developing diversity, innovation, and societal progress. To foster the next generation of conservation heroes, The Living Desert hosted a STEAM Day in February 2024. The event featured 22 engaging stations comprised of The Living Desert staff and community partners, creating an immersive learning experience for attendees. These stations, representing a collaboration between various stakeholders, showcased the diversity and depth of expertise within the STEAM fields.

A total of 154 passports, available in both Spanish and English, were distributed, encouraging visitors to explore the various engagement stations and learn about the significant contributions of women in STEAM. Throughout the event, 1,269 individuals visited between 9:00am and 1:00pm, reflecting the community’s keen interest and support.

Historically, women have been underrepresented in STEAM fields, and their achievements often overlooked. Shining a spotlight on women in these fields not only celebrates their accomplishments but also inspires future generations of girls to pursue careers in these disciplines. Diverse perspectives bring about a richer tapestry of ideas and solutions, leading to more comprehensive and innovative outcomes.

26 Annual Report 2023-2024

Green Team THE GREEN TEAM is an interdepartmental group of staff at The Living Desert dedicated to ramping up sustainable action. Their first group project of 2023 was to set goals and create action plans to reduce resource use, carbon emissions, and waste; and engage Zoo guests in these endeavors.

2023-2024 GREEN TEAM NEW SUSTAINABILITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS n Implement digital maps rather than paper, reducing our paper maps by 97,750 and saving close to 10 trees and over 70,000 gallons of water per year. n Engaged staff in carbon-saving behaviors, resulting in over 10 tons of CO2 emissions being prevented.

n Diverted 50% of food waste from the landfill at the Zoo’s Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, and composted it on-site instead. n Transitioned the Zoo’s donor tours away from using single-use plastic water bottles by offering recyclable water cartons as an alternative.

n Transitioned the Zoo’s food and beverage outlets to selling aluminum water bottles instead of plastic.

DID YOU KNOW Overall, The Living Desert’s water refill stations have diverted over 330,000 plastic bottles from the landfill!

Annual Report 2023-2024 27

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Spanish Interpretation

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28 Annual Report 2023-2024

from visiting us more regularly — or at all. It’s a small and doable change that can have an enormous impact.

By offering Spanish interpretation and translation, The Living Desert opens our doors wider to the community, fostering a sense of belonging and making our services and programs more accessible.

How does Spanish interpretation enhance guest experiences at The Living Desert?

Our team incorporates Spanish in various programs, such as special

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le de g camps orio rniz and programs, Zoo Families, o d ded o co and outreach initiatives. They Ho create materialsnin Spanish, including i Verd guides, educational curriculum baloncilmaterials lo kits, and promotional turpial e such as flyers. Additionally, the team translates animal and plant asca l enm a i p guides to ensure comprehensive tur understanding.lOur team regularly o l nciparents engages with and guardians balo who are Spanish speakers, providing a safe and comfortable atmosphere for guests.

SPANISH IS CALIFORNIA’S second most spoken language, making accessibility and inclusivity of the large Spanish-speaking population a top priority for the Zoo. Learn about the Spanish interpretation throughout The Living Desert with Curator of Learning and Community Engagement Jessika Vazquez Guadarrama, a first-generation Spanish speaker.

Why is Spanish interpretation so crucial?

By ensuring that Spanish-speaking individuals have equal access to information and opportunities, we can create a more equitable and inclusive society. Language is a powerful tool for connection and understanding, and by embracing linguistic diversity, we enrich our community and make it a more vibrant and cohesive place for everyone. Connecting with our local community in this way removes a barrier that keeps many local families

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Jessika Vazquez Guadarrama

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Do you have a special story to share about an interaction that happened because of Spanish interpretation?

One moment that stands out is when our team collaborated with the Indio Teen Center, working with a group of Spanish-speaking teenagers. We were able to offer a complete program, curriculum, and interpretation in Spanish for this group. This allowed us to communicate effectively with the teens and provide them with an educational experience in their native language. Often, children from Spanish-speaking countries find English-speaking environments intimidating, to say the least.

Providing opportunities where they can learn and thrive in their own language is essential. Our team was able to create a memorable experience for these teens at the Zoo, and we received wonderful feedback from the coordinators for our efforts.

Increasing Inclusion Adventures for All

TO BROADEN ACCESS to more guests, The Zoo has implemented a special, reduced rate for admission to SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cardholders as part of the Museums for All program, an initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Additionally, thanks to generous donations from The Tappan Family Foundation, Richard Brooke Foundation, Candace and Jon Holzgrafe, and Mayor Karina Quintanilla and the City of Palm Desert, cardholders can also receive a substantial discount for learning programs. Since fall 2022, this program has opened its doors to 590 participants, allowing them to immerse themselves in transformative learning programs like Zoo Families, ZooCamp, Mini ZooCamp, and Extended Care.

Wonderfully Wild Scholarship

THANKS TO THE GENEROUS support of the Berger Foundation and the Richard Brooke Foundation, Wonderfully Wild Scholarships are able to remove financial barriers and open the doors of the Zoo to students who might not otherwise have had the chance to visit. The Living Desert is thrilled to share that this exciting scholarship program will return next year!

During the 2023-2024 school year, this initiative yielded remarkable results: n 47 schools were awarded and attended the

Wonderfully Wild Scholarship program. n 4,334 students and 471 chaperones were

able to visit the Zoo. This commitment to accessibility resonates deeply with The Living Desert’s mission to make learning experiences available to diverse and underresourced communities.

n Out of these scholarship recipient schools,

20 were from the Coachella Valley, ranging from the East Valley to the West Valley.

ZooTeen Scholarship

EACH YEAR, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, in partnership with OneFuture Coachella Valley, awards thousands of dollars to support local ZooTeen volunteers pursuing college majors related to conservation. This initiative underscores the Zoo’s commitment to fostering the next generation of conservation professionals. The Living Desert is proud to announce the recipients of its 2024 scholarship for college-bound students: Alyssa Ramirez, Maddox Burr, and Madeleine Scott.

A unique aspect of The Living Desert Scholarship is that students can reapply for funding each year for four years, regardless of whether they continue volunteering at the Zoo or pursue other passions. This year, the organization also continues to support the six students from the 2023 cohort.

The nine recipients are set to study biology, environmental science and policy, oceanography, marine biology, and zoology at universities in California and Arizona. The students aspire to careers in environmental law, wildlife fieldwork, veterinary medicine, and conservation education.

Annual Report 2023-2024 29

Thanks to the generous support of Sherrie S. Auen and The Auen Foundation, The Living Desert was able to not only develop, but successfully implement this new educational outreach program with seniors.

TOP LEFT: At the Desert Hot Springs Senior Center, Community Engagement Coordinator Janice Griswold helps residents create pollinator-friendly plant spray.

LEFT: Through hands-on experiences with native plants, seniors are encouraged to transform their yards into thriving, wildlifefriendly sanctuaries.

Senior Life Enrichment THE LIVING DESERT’S Senior Outreach program is redefining the meaning of vibrant, engaging, and educational experiences for our cherished seniors. This program is free to residents, thanks to a generous grant from the Auen Foundation. Volunteers play a pivotal role — bringing a dynamic blend of presentations, personal experiences, and a passion for conservation straight to local senior centers, assisted living programs, and memory care facilities.

30 Annual Report 2023-2024

Each outreach is an enriching journey where seniors not only enjoy socialization and community involvement but also dive into intellectual stimulation. The outreach events spark curiosity with a focus on native flora and fauna, emphasizing conservation — leading to lively conversations with friends and family.

The ripple effects of this program extend beyond the immediate joys.

Residents have begun planting native gardens, creating homemade

pollinator-friendly plant spray, and embracing water-saving habits. Other long-term benefits include fostering healthy habitats, safe trail usage, a deeper understanding of local ecosystems, and a commitment to conservation stewardship. Seniors are not just participants; they become desert defenders in their own communities and earn a rewarding sense of purpose.

The Senior Center programs are booming, with attendance soaring at each event. To date, The Living Desert has made 42 visits in total to senior centers, assisted living, and memory care facilities, bringing the programming to 1,042 seniors. The hands-on activities, from crafting coyote noise-making deterrents to pollinator-friendly concoctions, have become crowd favorites. Interactions are lively; filled with questions, storytelling, and an abundance of enthusiasm. As we wrap up the grant’s first year and prepare for our second year, we’re eager to expand our reach, collaborating with more senior centers and creating even more unforgettable programs in both English and Spanish.

The goal was to plant 10,000 seeds over the two-week event.

Ultimately, over 16,000 individual seeds were planted across 11 species of native pollinator plants.

10,000 Seeds FOR TWO WEEKS in April 2023, The Living Desert hosted 10,000 Seeds: A Pollinator Plant Party, during which guests were invited to plant seeds to take home along with aftercare instructions to start their own native pollinator gardens. These seeds were also intended to establish pollinator gardens at the Zoo and other community partner locations across the Coachella Valley.

Native pollinator gardens provide essential habitats for local and migrating pollinators, including the endangered western monarch butterfly. Monarch butterfly numbers have been decreasing drastically due largely to the loss of their winter habitats in California and Mexico.

Since the event and throughout 2024, five gardens have been established at community partner locations across the Coachella Valley using the plants germinated from 10,000 Seeds. These gardens are currently undergoing the application process to become Certified Wildlife Habitats by the National Wildlife Federation ­— three having been completed already. Plants have also been offered to schools along the East Valley Pollinator Pathway, which is being established by The Living Desert’s Conservation Department.

ABOVE: Sustainability and Behavior Change Manager Lizze Ferrari helps Zoo guests plant native pollinator seeds.

TOP: Sand verbena was one of the five featured desertfriendly plants.

Annual Report 2023-2024 31

Upper Colorado Garden caption

Gardens Within the Zoo’s Chihuahuan Garden, native northern Chihuahuan desert plants thrive and showcase their resilience in the arid landscape.

32 Annual Report 2023-2024

BELOW: Collections Garden Supervisor Baltazar Pimentel helps guests plant native seeds at the Xerophilous event.

RIGHT TOP, MIDDLE, AND BOTTOM: Plant experts and enthusiasts from around the area joined in on the botanical fun throughout the weekend.

Xerophilous TO CELEBRATE THE BEAUTY and resilience of desert plants and The Living Desert’s 52 gardens — home to over 1,000 plant species — the Zoo hosted its first ever Xerophilous: A Desert Botanical Festival in early April. Xerophilous, a term referring to plants and animals adapted to arid climates, was an event that honored desert plant life and the conservation of their habitats. Throughout the weekend, guests enjoyed guided garden tours, led by The Living Desert’s expert botanists and gardeners. Xerophilous also featured presentations by experts in the field, speaking on many topics including habitat restoration, native plants, and creating a wildlife habitat in your own back yard.

Guests inspired to start their own native garden could stop by the California native plant sale, featuring plants propagated at The Living Desert. Also in that area were local conservationists, hands-on activities, plant experts and enthusiasts, and botanical-themed drinks.

Annual Report 2023-2024 33

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP IMAGE: The behindthe-scenes nursery includes a propagation nursery and greenhouse. The Living Desert’s Plant Propagator Jose Marfori in the greenhouse.

An example of confiscated, illegally trafficked plants that are kept in the greenhouse. Several species of aloe growing for the Africa gardens.

A female welwitschia with seed-bearing cones.

As propagated plants get larger, they are moved through the nursery, eventually moving from the indoor greenhouse to the outdoor area.

Propagation Nursery and Greenhouse LOCATED BEHIND THE SCENES, The Living Desert’s propagation nursery is just under 0.7 acres, including a greenhouse that measures 20 feet by 60 feet and holds up to 4,650 individual 2-inch plant pots. Construction on these new additions began in January 2022 and the gardening team has been enhancing the space ever since! The nursery allows for many different types of plants from around the world to be propagated, including native California plants. There are also several species of acacia in the greenhouse that will eventually be used as food (browse) for the rhinos.

In addition to propagation, the nursery and greenhouse also provide a home or holding facility for illegally trafficked plants that have been confiscated. The Living Desert is a designated Plant Rescue Center by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) program called Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ). Some of these confiscated plants can also be seen on-grounds at the Desert Plant Propagation Center, where guests can learn more about illegal plant trafficking.

34 Annual Report 2023-2024

Sharing with the Valley

Native Species Garden

Plant Propagator Jose Marfori (left) and Collections Garden Supervisor Baltazar Pimentel (right) at the dedication of a new native species demonstration garden in Rancho Mirage.

The Living Desert donated dozens of their own plants for this special space at Sacred Grounds Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert.

Safe House of the Desert Before

Safe House of the Desert After

Creating Pollinator Pathways

Through a collaborative effort between the Zoo’s conservation, gardens, and learning and impact teams, The Living Desert is working with over fifteen community partner locations across the Coachella Valley to establish native pollinator gardens. Plants are donated to the partner organizations, including senior centers, libraries, and schools; and team members from the Zoo give hands-on guidance to help design and establish the gardens.

Annual Report 2023-2024 35

Park-Wide Events

WORLD DESERT DAY

The Living Desert celebrated the deserts of the world, along with all the flora and fauna that call them home, during the first ever World Desert Day on January 13, 2024. This special, brand-new event featured desert-themed scavenger hunts, animal connections, a desert plant sale, all-new collectible desert trading cards, and informative tables with 11 of The Living Desert’s conservation partners.

Palm Desert Mayor Karina Quintanilla and Indian Wells Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Whitman were present for a proclamation of World Desert Day, both at The Living Desert and around the world. Jaqueline Cordero from Congressmember Dr. Raul Ruiz’s office presented The Living Desert with a proclamation and certificate for the event. During the ceremony, the Zoo’s gardens team planted a commemorative Aloe peglerae, a special aloe grown from seed. This 36 Annual Report 2023-2024

BELOW LEFT: Team members of The Living Desert during the inaugural World Desert Day. BELOW RIGHT: President/CEO Allen Monroe (left) and Palm Desert Mayor Karina Quintanilla (right) help to plant a commemorative Aloe peglerae during the proclamation of World Desert Day.

desert plant species, endemic to South Africa and endangered due to over-collection, serves as an example of the importance in protecting and preserving the desert’s plants and animals across the globe. A Certificate of Recognition was presented during the afternoon by Field Representative Felipe Ortiz from Assembly Member Greg Wallis’ office.

Deserts make up about one-third of the Earth’s landmass — join The Living Desert in honoring the world’s deserts during this annual celebration, to be held on the second Saturday in January.

The Living Desert would like to thank Susan Cooper, a long-time friend and supporter of the Zoo, for her generous support of the World Desert Day and International Desert Conservation Summit events.

HOWL-O-WEEN

Guests celebrated the spooky season at the Zoo’s annual, family-friendly Halloween event featuring trick-or-treat candy stations, costumes, activities, and collectible trading cards.

WILDLIGHTS

This cherished holiday event returned for its 31st season with new festive features and familiar fan favorites!

Thank you to The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation for your ongoing support.

GLOW IN THE PARK

Back for its third year, Glow in the Park — a dazzling springtime lantern festival — delighted guests of all ages with photo opportunities, interactive displays, and specialty food and beverage options.

SENSORY INCLUSIVE NIGHT

The Zoo is proud to be a Certified Autism Center™ as part of our commitment to provide a best day-ever experience for all guests. This year, a special edition of Glow in the Park was designed to be mindful of the sensory-supportive needs of the neurodivergent community.

Visitors enjoyed reduced music levels, resilience rooms for sensory recuperation, and complimentary sensory bags available for checkout.

GLOW WITH PRIDE

The Living Desert hosted its inaugural Glow with Pride night in March as part of the Glow in the Park event. This special evening — brought to you by KGAY, The Gay Desert Guide, and Cheeky Charity — was full of celebration with a silent disco, live entertainment from DJ ModGirl, LGBTQ+ local organizations, and specialty food and cocktails.

Annual Report 2023-2024 37

Year-at-a-Glance Donor Support

Shaughne Warnack

Bob and Connie Lurie

Bill and Suzan Appel

Bill and Cathy Dickson, Jeff Garatea and Larry Fry

Jan Salta and friends

38 Annual Report 2023-2024

Eileen Scheel and friends

Rita Stec, Allen Monroe, and Lance Eldred

Karla Kjellen-Elder, Jeff Elder, and family

Brooke Koehler and Danelle Ryan

Catharine Reed, Allen Monroe, and Sherrie Auen

Donor Spotlight McGrath Family

Jennifer Gross

Sandy Myerson and Michael Gailus

Cynthia Williams and her late husband Jim Williams

Edie McCarthy and friends

Stacy Schlinger and friends

When visiting her father William at the nearby Vintage Club, Jennifer Gross frequently enjoys the Zoo with William and her son, Pax. “To have shared experiences at The Living Desert between different generations lays a foundation in our family that we are stewards of the planet, and we must do all we can for a sustainable future for wildlife and ecosystems,” says Jennifer.

Thanks to a generous donation from Jennifer Gross and The William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation, the Zoo’s eco-friendly and educational splash pad will be coming in the spring of 2025. This incredible gift was made in honor of Jennifer’s father and son. “I’m honored to be able to participate in conservation efforts, not only with my husband Peter Stengaard and our son Pax, through The William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation, but also with all of the staff at The Living Desert, the other invaluable donors that have contributed year after year, and all of the community members that love coming every week as much as we do.”

Annual Report 2023-2024 39

Lifetime Giving VISIONARY CIRCLE ($10,000,000+)

Dorothy L. and Max Weber

CORNERSTONE CIRCLE ($5,000,000 - $9,999,999)

Jeannik and Edmund Littlefield Connie L. and Robert A. Lurie Marilyn and Bill Tennity

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE ($2,500,000 - $4,999,999)

The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation Stephen B. Chase Mary and Lawrence A. Cone Susan E. Cooper Patti and Jack Grundhofer/John F. Grundhofer Charitable Foundation Miriam U. and H. Earl Hoover Maxine W. Poyas Mary and George Storer

CHAIRMAN CIRCLE ($1,000,000 - $2,499,999)

Mary Ann Altomari Living Trust Suzan and Bill Appel Sharon and Dean Baltzell Peggy and Hal Bernthal Bebe Bowen Kelly Carmien Charitable Gift Fund City of Indian Wells City of Palm Desert Gloria and Vernon B. Clinton Mildred B. Cosgrove Rita Stec and Lance Eldred Mary and Robert H. Flint Dorothy and James E. Frank William Fries II Wayne N. Garwood and Pamela W. Garwood The William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation 40 Annual Report 2023-2024

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens shows our appreciation to our major donors for their generosity and lifetime of giving.

Ethelmae and James E. Haldan Mary Lou and Leonard Hoeft The H. Earl Hoover Foundation RD and Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation Louise and Ray Knowles Lynn and Edward Little Herbert R. Mayer and Jeanne C. Mayer Foundation Edeltraud McCarthy Foundation/ Patrick M. McCarthy Foundation Marie B. and Vic Regin Frances L. Rich Janet R. Selland BJ and Van Skilling The A.C. and Shaughne S. Warnack Foundation

STEWARD CIRCLE ($500,000 - $999,999)

The Annenberg Foundation Ruth G. Applegarth Bank of America Marian Miner Cook Daphne and Tom DeMartino June Johnson Dickson Richard Brooke Foundation Peggy Fouke and James Wortz Joy and Harry Goldstein Susan and Jim Gould Joan and Richard Hamilton Polly and Nelson Hester Candace and Jon Holzgrafe James Irvine Foundation Margaret and Eugene M. Kay The Koehler Mahlstedt Family Foundation Patricia and David Lamb Janet and A. Kirk Lanterman Harold Matzner The McCallum Desert Foundation Anne and Harry Newman Diana “Mousie” Powell Wayne L. Prim Foundation

Stacy Schlinger/Schlinger Family Foundation Rachel and Richard Sidenberg Patricia Ann and Terry E. Simmons Billie F. and E. Eugene Yeager

BENEFACTOR CIRCLE ($250,000 - $499,999)

The Ahmanson Foundation Monique M. and John D. Barr Keleen and Carlton Beal Dorothy and Philip Boyd The Brinson Foundation The Carr Foundation, Inc. The Chaiken Family/Dana Chaiken and Susan Roll Tracey and Mike Clark Ellen Hegwer Foundation Kay and Ralph E. Hemingway Herman Foundation/Richard L. Herman Highland Street Foundation/ JoAnn McGrath Ironwood Country Club Mary Jane and Paul Jenkins Elaine B. and Jerrold Jerome Sandy and George Kachlein III Karla Kjellin-Elder and Jeffrey Elder Drew A. Leander Michael W. McCarthy Foundation Sharon and Craig McCollam Susan and Caleb “Mac” McCormick Kathy and John McGovern Sandy and Seward Prosser Mellon/ R. K. Mellon Family Foundation Lee Miller Sandi and Ralph Miller Lois M. Milroy Mary and Ray Mithun/ Mithun Family Foundation Irene Ethel Nelson Revocable Trust Adele Ruge and V.W. North Carol Petrie The Reserve Club

Susan R. Rogowski The Rosso Family Foundation The Scott Family Lady and Sherman A. Smith Kit and Roger P. Snoble State of California Beryl and Robert Sturtevant The George and Stephanie Suddock Foundation Virginia H. Terry Betty P. Thibodeau Marilyn and Bruce Throckmorton Marcy Tonkin Union Bank, The Private Bank Cynthia and James Williams John and Martha Wilson Charitable Fund, a donor advised fund of The U.S. Charitable Gift Trust Carol and Howard Wright

PATRON CIRCLE ($100,000 - $249,999)

Ronnie and Byron Allumbaugh The Gilbert J. Martin Foundation/ Judy and Roger Anderson Cyndi Andrews Katherine J. Andrews Foundation Argyros Family Foundation Patricia G. and C. Dennis Ashby Associated Foundations, Inc. Anne and Walter Auberger Susan and James A. Baker III Bighorn Development, LLC The Eugenia Mayer Bolz Family Foundation Wendy and Gary Broad/ Gary Broad Foundation Nancy and James L. Burke Cindy V. and Ely Callaway Pam C. and Rick G. Carlson Eric Carson Dorothy P. and James C. Castle City of Rancho Mirage Clark Foundation Lenore and Harry Clow Jean Crummer Coburn

The Sirpuhe and John Conte Foundation/ Joyce and Joe Stein, Stephanie and Michael Landes Deborah L. Cooper Roy E. Crummer Foundation William E. de Recat Cathy and Bill Dickson Joseph Drown Foundation Carole B. and Edmund W. Dumke Tom Eakin Lola F. Edmiston Elaine Green Eldridge Jane and John Evans Myrle and Jack Farley Shirley and Jack Farley Marcia and Robert French/ William M. Fuller Foundation Marylynn and Andy Gladstein Dorothy B. and Courtney Gould Mary Lou Graziadio Grousemont Foundation Rosalind and Stanley Hack Irene and Herbert Hansen Libby and Edward G. Harshfield Jan and Jim Hawkins Kae A. Hensey E. Kay and Robert Hillery Jackie Lee and Jim Houston Suz Hunt Institute of Museum and Library Services Judith Woolsey Isaac Sis and Keith Jackson Kathy and Bob Jaunich Ursula and Gordy Johnson Carol and Larry Jones/ Larson Jones Family Trust Mary Lou Kieffer and Vicki Palmer Joan B. Kroc Susan and George LeBlanc Mary Lester/Lester Family Foundation Donna and Cargill MacMillan Jr. Geraldine and Michael Masterpool Gayle and John C. McDonald Marjorie and Loring Merwin Jack Moore Sonia S. Moran Cherie and John Morris

Sandy Myerson and Michael Gailus Jneil Ludwick Nelson Newman’s Own Foundation/ Patty and Arthur Newman JoAnn and Mark Nickerson Evelyn R. and Lester Nienhuis John F. Outcault Pat and Ray Paige Norma Petersen Sandy Petersen DeDe and Bill Pitruzzelli Gwen F. Randall Helen and Harry Reinsch Muriel Pollia Foundation Jan Salta Marjorie B. Salter Eileen and Steve Scheel Peter Scheer and Matthias Scheer Sally and Michael Schreter Hilda Shaw J. Richard Shelley Elizabeth B. and Mitchell Simon Shirley Smith SoCal Edison Mary Lou and Dick Solomon Nancy S. and Richard A. Spelke Barbara C. and Stuart K. Spencer Patty and Larry Spicer F. M. “Steve” Stevenson Judith D. and S. Jerome Tamkin Connie Faith Thomas U.S. Bank Ruth and C.J. Venuto Vintage Properties Visit Greater Palm Springs Jana M. and Frederick Wacker Elaine and Frank White Linda Jo and Allan Bankus Jr. Robert S. Wilson Sandra Cooper Woodson James E. Wright Jr.

SPONSOR CIRCLE ($50,000 - $99,999)

Scarlett N. and William J. Adams Eric Affeldt/Carolyn and Clara Forman Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Kay Horn and L.E. Alford Annual Report 2023-2024 41

Irene W. and Guy L. Anderson Children’s Foundation Robert Archer and Charles Hilliar Barbara and Timothy Arnstein Association of Zoos and Aquariums The Auen Foundation Emily M. Baker Lu Barnes Sheila and Ed Benson Betty and Paul Boshard Kim and George Brace Mimi and William Brett Eleanor and Doug Butler Shelley Gordon and Thomas Camp Karen and Bryan Casier Janet Schneider-Cate and Tony Cate Lillian and David Chase Sarah and Roger Chrisman/ Schlinger Chrisman Foundation Irene Rich Clifford Confidence Foundation Carol and Jesse Couch Glenn A. Cramer Sandy and Richard Dallam Nancy and Donald de Laski Edenhurst Gallery The Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation Suzanne and David Etheridge Rose M. Federico Christel and Phelps Fisher Martha Berry and John Fraim Barbara and Albert Garlinghouse Jr. Ann and Samuel Ginn/The Ginn Family Foundation Tom Gleitsman and Taylor Jaeger Alexandra Glickman and Gayle Whittemore Karen and Robert Gober/ Hittman Family Foundation Tina and Dennis Godecke Godecke Clark Maudella and Harold Green Laura and Joseph Gregorio Nan and Reed Harman Jan and Brian Harnik Mae and O.J. Harper Rebecca and David Harrison 42 Annual Report 2023-2024

Susan and Wayne Harvey Lynn and Roger L. Headrick John Herklotz Patricia and Brian Herman Jean Ann Hirschi Barbara and H. Earl Hoover II The Miriam U. Hoover Foundation Dolores and Bob Hope Laura and Amory Houghton The George and Evelyn Howard Family Trust The Arthur L. Jacobson Charitable Fund at the Inland Empire Community Foundation Tim Jochen and Lee Erwin/ Contour Dermatology Helen and Edwin Johnsen David Kowalczyk and Curtis Johnson A.D. Johnston Elizabeth Fuller Jones Norma Sue Jones Virginia and P. J. Keeley Maria and Michael Kiner Paige Kiner Samie and Tom H. Lang Katherine and David Lawrence Michael A. Leppen Ellis Lewis Patricia A. Lyon Manilow Fund For Health & Hope Sharon Mattern June and Harold Mayer/The Oscar G. & Elsa S. Mayer Foundation Sean McGrath Mary Jo and Al Means Carol G. Meier Marcia and Max Messmer Jr. Karen and Ken Miles Sharon and Howard Miller Deirdre and Allen Monroe Mildred Moore-Voll Mousie’s Desert Mice Rena C. Muzzy Carol-Ann and Alan Olson Warner Otto Palm Desert Foundation Thomas Patrick and Stephen Rulo Penske Automotive Group, Inc.

Pepsi Beverage Company Pettit Foundation Linda Phipps and Elaine Allen Phyllis S. Poehler and Walter E. Stremel Charitable Trust Phyllis and C. Davis Poehler Tom Pogue and Boris Rose Jebby Potter/The Rockwell Foundation Carolyn and John Radebaugh Linda and Manny Rider Elizabeth Hutchins Riggs Trudy and Pat Ritz John and Yvonne Royan Judy and Bob Sanders Lynn Parazak and Cliff Schneider Linda and John Seiter Elmina B. Sewall Foundation Richard Shalhoub Family Mary Sue and Mike Shannon Marisa and James J. Shea Jr. Sally and Kenneth Simonds Pamela and William Simpkins Louise Sloneker-Maison Roswitha Smale Annette and D. William Smith Becky and Phil Smith Jr. Faye Moore Snelling Gillian and Wilbur F. Snelling Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation Amber and Sam Spinello Karen and Nick Steffanoff Anne Sutherland-DeRosa/ Ettore Richard DeRosa, Jr. Foundation Joy Svenson Bette and Jack Swain Marianne Armanino and Harry Timmins Tonamora Foundation Arthur Underwood Lois and John Veneri Jocelyn and Richard Vortmann Mary and Gordon Watson Frank Wiskowski

As of June 30, 2024 We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this listing. Please notify Development@LivingDesert.org of any omissions or inaccuracies.

Heritage Society Members The Heritage Society recognizes those donors who have made arrangements for deferred gifts in their estate: a bequest in a will, a charitable remainder trust, a life insurance policy with The Living Desert named as the beneficiary, real estate property, appreciated stock, and more. Members of the Heritage Society are a unique group of people who share the same vision as Karen Sausman, President Emerita, and the original Board of Trustees. Heritage Society members understand the need to provide for the sustainable future of The Living Desert and the incredible and often endangered plants and animals found in the world’s deserts.

Gerald and Wendy Anderson Bill and Suzan Appel Phyllis Ardary Dr. C. Dennis and Dr. Patricia G. Ashby William and Mary Baker Michael Baran and Rai Scime Robert G. Berg, Jr. Peggy and Hal Bernthal Karen E. Casier Joan and Jim Chedester John and Margaret Cleveland Carol and Jesse Couch Barbara R. Dadanian Deanna “Dee” Daneri Ernest and Jan Demarbiex Daphne K. DeMartino Jim and Cindy Eshleman Jeff and Jeanine Feld Carlotta Flink Judy Fogt George and Elaine Foster Kristine Martin-Gula Marilyn Hahn Jeffrey T. Hall James P. and Linda L. Hamm Candace Clark Holzgrafe Pamela Howe Melinda Joyce Nahin-Iuster Lois Henning Kahn-Feuer

Linda Karas Marisa Y. Katnic’ Ronald E. Iehl Drew A. Leander Nancy and Bud Lenzer Betty Callies and Bonny Light Patricia A. Lyon Jaci and David Mach Sharon L. Mattern Kenneth F. Maxwell and Richard L. Redman Charles and Candace McBrayer Vicki McConnell Barbara J. Merrill Joseph Migliore Lee Miller Fera Mostow Jneil Ludwick Nelson Ronald C. Nelson and Pamela F. Nelson Sandra Norman Dr. David E. and Marge Perkins Dale A. Perry Linda Phipps and Elaine Allen Richard and Georgina Polizzi Kerstin B. Pollack Jane P. Raimondi Joseph A. Rangus Connie Rickords Sandy Rosenberg and Don Thompson

Marcus F. Rosenstein Lynne L. Rudnick Karen Sausman Louise E. Schulz Angelo and Sheryl Sciacca Richard Shapiro and Barbara Shapiro Bill and Pamela Simpkins Brian and Jean Slavin Sandra Smith Lady and Sherman A. Smith Mary Lou and Dick Solomon Barbara Storms and Sarah Gonzales Carla Sullivan-Dilley Kelly Taylor William S. Tetsch J. Bruce Tominello and Larry E. Kirchner Lynne Tucker Sarah S. and John P. Tyler Raymond and Elizabeth Welch Susan Westphal Catherine Hayes and Mark Wiesel Cynthia K. Williams Dr. Raymond and Mrs. Shanna Winters Rita D. Wood Sandra Cooper Woodson Steven J Wycoff and Albion A Paradise Billie F. Yeager

Annual Report 2023-2024 43

2023-2024 ROLL OF DONORS Gifts Received from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024

OVER $1,000,000 The William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation $500,000 - $999,999 Anne and Harry Newman The A.C. and Shaughne S. Warnack Foundation $250,000 - $499,999 Kelly Carmien Charitable Gift Fund William Fries II Patti and Jack Grundhofer/John F. Grundhofer Charitable Foundation Wayne L. Prim Foundation $100,000 - $249,999 Suzan and Bill Appel The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation The Chaiken Family/Dana Chaiken and Susan Roll City of Rancho Mirage Tracey and Mike Clark Mary and Lawrence A. Cone June Johnson Dickson Rita Stec and Lance Eldred Ellen Hegwer Foundation Highland Street Foundation/JoAnn McGrath Candace and Jon Holzgrafe Karla Kjellin-Elder and Jeffrey Elder The Koehler Mahlstedt Family Foundation Connie L. and Robert A. Lurie Harold Matzner Edeltraud McCarthy Foundation/ Patrick M. McCarthy Foundation Sandi and Ralph Miller Sandy Myerson and Michael Gailus Eileen and Steve Scheel Stacy Schlinger/Schlinger Family Foundation Janet R. Selland Beryl and Robert Sturtevant Marcy Tonkin $50,000 - $99,999 Sharon and Dean Baltzell The Carr Foundation, Inc. Susan E. Cooper Sandy and Richard Dallam Cathy and Bill Dickson Patricia and David Lamb Sharon and Craig McCollam Carol G. Meier Pettit Foundation The George and Stephanie Suddock Foundation Cynthia and James Williams John and Martha Wilson Charitable Fund, a donor advised fund of The U.S. Charitable Gift Trust

44 Annual Report 2023-2024

$25,000 - $49,999 Patricia G. and C. Dennis Ashby The Auen Foundation Steve Benninga The Brinson Foundation Shelley Gordon and Thomas Camp Sarah and Roger Chrisman Clark Foundation Jane and John Evans Ford Dealers Advertising Association of Southern California Marylynn and Andy Gladstein Tom Gleitsman and Taylor Jaeger Alexandra Glickman and Gayle Whittemore Susan and Jim Gould Rosalind and Stanley Hack Jenny and Phil Hasbrouck Suz Hunt Kathy and Bob Jaunich Trudy and David Johnston Carol and Larry Jones/Larson Jones Family Trust Norma Sue Jones Kind World Foundation Susan and George LeBlanc Ivy and Gene Lewis Manilow Fund For Health & Hope Holly McGrath Sandy and Seward Prosser Mellon/ R. K. Mellon Family Foundation Marcia and Max Messmer Jr. Joanne and Myron Mintz Jeff Nelson and Paul Mahan Jneil Ludwick Nelson Pepsi Beverage Company Trudy and Pat Ritz Jan Salta Peter Scheer and Matthias Scheer Schlinger Chrisman Foundation Sally and Michael Schreter Linda and John Seiter US Bank Foundation US Bank Private Wealth Management Frank Yoder $10,000 - $24,999 The Ariowitsch Family Foundation Karen Dennis and Miles Auslander Bighorn Development, LLC Blank Park Zoo Foundation Wendy and Gary Broad/Gary Broad Foundation Cindy V. and Ely Callaway Dorothy P. and James C. Castle Deborah Chapman Cindy Claytor Janice Vincent and William Courtney Janet Cree Lavon and Jim DeGraw

The de Vos Family Foundation Terry and Wally Durham Jackie and Curt Ealy Evie and Jeff Engler Event Network The Fletcher Jones Foundation Terri Gervais Denise Stefan Ginascol and John Ginascol Michael Ginn/The Ginn Family Foundation Karen and Robert Gober/ Hittman Family Foundation Judy and Richard Guggenhime/ The Stanley S. Langendorf Foundation Joan and Richard Hamilton Nan and Reed Harman Kurt Heilman Polly and Steve Hiller Kay Hillery Miriam U. and H. Earl Hoover Foundation Jennifer and Roger Imbriani The Arthur L. Jacobson Charitable Fund at the Inland Empire Community Foundation David Kowalczyk and Curtis Johnson Mandy and Kevin Johnson Ursula and Gordy Johnson Paige Kiner Jo and Tom Knight Cindy and Eric Lissol Patricia A. Lyon The Gilbert J. Martin Foundation Martin/Brattrud Inc Molly McGee Sean McGrath Mary Jo and Al Means Lee Miller Yung-Chung Ming Mary and Ray Mithun/Mithun Family Foundation Diane and Mike Morrison Anne Christensen and Arne Ness NFP Property & Casualty Insurance Adele Ruge and V.W. North Tom Patrick and Steve Rulo Carol Pavlick Valerie and Ty Peabody Jebby Potter/The Rockwell Foundation Jean Pral PVG Architects Eugenia Righter Paige and Chuck Robbins Vicky and David Rogers/Pasadena Community Foundation Lynne Rudnick Leland and Julia Scheu Family Foundation Terry and Bill Schmidt Lynn Parazak and Cliff Schneider John Schumacher and Joseph Rodriguez Mary Sue and Mike Shannon

Sally and Kenneth Simonds Rosa and Bob Sinnott Becky and Phil Smith Jr. SoCal Edison Tonamora Foundation Visit Greater Palm Springs Beth and Robert Ward Patty Wondries $5,000 - $9,999 John Albrecht Barbara and Timothy Arnstein Art Laboe Foundation Kristi and Brian Bailey Linda Jo and Allan Bankus Jr. Rai Scime and Michael Baran Emma Trejo and Doug Bender Benefits Exchange Alliance Mary Reisher and Barry Berlin Chris and John Blair Carrie and Rich Breeswine Leslie and David Burgstahler Bobbie and Glen Ceiley Joanne and Bill Chunowitz Classic Escapes Pat Clinton JoAnn and Ross Cornelius Wendy and Kevin Cox Kelly Lanpheer-Crowley and Geoffrey Crowley Donna Jean and Keith Darby Diane and Norman Delaterre Desert Tortoise Council The Tappan Family Foundation Phyllis and Wayne Duncan Lori and Jerry Ernst Erica Espinola Suzanne and David Etheridge Donald Feinberg Burke Francis Maureen Garrett Susan and Warren Gelman Valerie and Bob Gwyn Windy and Nick Hall Linda Cade and Terry Halverson Susan and Wayne Harvey Mikey Herring and Jim Phelps Jill and Dale Hurd Christine and Al Johnsen Becky Johnson Angie and Squire Junger Tanya Karn Maria and Michael Kiner Ramona and Mark Kline Terry and Tom Kneafsey Mary Lester/Lester Family Foundation Ellis Lewis Christine Lindner Michelle Meighen and David Bush Terri Molakides and William Butler Deirdre and Allen Monroe Mildred Moore-Voll Dennis Murphy Jason and Rob Ollander-Krane

Carol-Ann and Alan Olson Christy and Steve Owen Judy and Dan Pace Marcia and Bill Pade Christopher Kurimoto and John Penny Cecelia Peroni David Pollart Maureen and Phil Ramer Faultline Adventures dba Desert Adventures/ Red Jeep Tours Maureen and Bob Renner Suzi Richards Anne Roberson Billy Rodriguez Mary Ann Sage Donna and Ken Sanger William A. and Teresa Elliott Schmidt Charitable Foundation Carrie and Nick Schrup Tim Scott Richard Shalhoub Family Pamela and William Simpkins Nancy and Malcolm Slack Mary Lou and Dick Solomon Carole and Del Stagg Barbara and James Stuart Margaret and David Sturdevant Sue and Tim Timken Julie and Jason Wallace Molly Walters Paula Weiss Carol Wright/Grousemont Fondation Doreen and Richard Yaeger Kathy and Jim York $2,500 - $4,999 Betsy and Mark Adams Nita Adamson and Leslie Jenkin Charles M. Aldrich and Carlos Castaneda Marie and George Allman Anonymous Sheryl Benoit Joyce and William Biffar Joan Blumenfeld Karlyn and Charles Boppell Mary and Tom Brohard Debby and David Brown Jessie and Charles Cale Patricia and John Campbell Donald Davis Don Diego’s of Indian Wells Judith Fabian Kristen and James Finch/The Finch Family Foundation Christel and Phelps Fisher Mattie Fernandez and Chris Flores Anne Fontaine Lori and AK Forthmann Larry Fry and Jeff Garatea Anne and Steve Furgal Thorton S. Glide, Jr. and Katrina D. Glide Foundation Elizabeth and Duane Guenzler

Annette Guzman and Nastassia Guzman Lindsey and Mike Harris Jan and Jim Hawkins Lynn and Alan Hendershot Breanna Martin and Zachary Hill Ann and Glen Hiner Drew Hopkins Lorna and Robert Houck Nanci Irwin Maren and Adam Jaffe Julie Jensen Chantel and Stacey Johnson Jill and Daneen Johnson Trish and Steve Jordan Gail and Fred Jubitz Suzanne and Tom Kanarian Jeanette Kleist Gail and John Kretchmer Jacquelyn Lester Life Line Financial Group Dave Lippert Richard Longmire Lorrie DuPont and Nick Lynn Andrea Marino Candy and Charles McBrayer Susan and Nick McCully Barbie McMahan Christine Metz-Gennet and Michael Gennet Mousie’s Desert Mice Betty Nelson-Lahti and Gordon Lahti Teri O’Rourke and Brooks Piper Palm Springs Motors Kathie Parrish David Pearce and Robert Bunyard Linda Phipps and Elaine Allen Mary McCarthy and Warren Platt Sheryl Rincker Barbara Rogers and Gary Geske Robert Rogers Jon Rogus and David Repoley Adele and Edward Ruxton Mahnaz and Michael Shadman Joann and Kemper Shaw J. Richard Shelley Patty and Larry Spicer Jan Starr and Billy Siegel Nancy and Jon Stegehuis Christine and Paul Stenklyft Chris Strand Shirley and Peter Tart David Taylor Christa and Randy Treichel Ellen Vahan Jocelyn and Richard Vortmann Julie and Jeffrey Wade Sue Waight and Joe Montgomery Cathy Walsh Watermark Estate Management Services LLC Art Williams and Gene Leone Sarah and Bruce Zender We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this listing. Please notify Development@LivingDesert.org of any omissions or inaccuracies.

Annual Report 2023-2024 45

46 Annual Report 2023-2024

Annual Report 2023-2024 47

Thank you for generously supporting The Living Desert For more than 53 years, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has been a leader in the conservation of the world’s deserts. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that receives no on-going municipal tax support, we rely on the generosity of donors like you to sustain our operations. Your gift to the Zoo will enable us to continue providing the highest level of care for our animals, educating the next generation about the world’s deserts, and inspiring our guests to care for the world’s wildlife and wild places.

There are many ways to support The Living Desert — and important reminders when making your gift.

Making a direct financial gift is the easiest and most effective way to support The Living Desert.

Donate stocks — donating shares of appreciated stock can offer opportunities to save on capital gains and income taxes. Please let us know when your advisor forwards stocks to our bank. The financial institutions do not give us your name with the transaction, so we are unable to determine whom to thank for the gift.

Donate cryptocurrency to save on capital gains taxes. We use a trusted third party for processing.

Name The Living Desert as beneficiary of your retirement assets such as an IRA or 401 (k) plan account.* Make a planned gift by naming The Living Desert as a primary beneficiary in your will or trust.* Participate in your employee giftmatching program.

Create a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) — your assets go into an investment account from which you can recommend grants to The Living Desert.**

48 Annual Report 2023-2024

Donate funds from your IRA account directly to The Living Desert — a Qualified Charitable Distribution or QCD — at age 70.5 and older.** A QCD to The Living Desert also counts towards “withdrawing” your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) at age 73 which is not counted as taxable income.** Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent possible.

For More Information If you are considering a gift of any size and would like more information, please contact us at Development@LivingDesert.org or call (760) 346-9071. *Ask about our Heritage Society. ** As a reminder, these funds cannot be used to gain any benefits such as event tickets or buying a membership.

Financials For Fiscal Year* Ending June 30, 2024 (Unaudited)

REVENUE

44.87% 0.48% 0.48% 0.42%

18.01% 16.57% 10.16%

9.01%

Admissions Contributions Special Events Memberships Park Services In Kind Education Other

$11,282,103 $4,166,806 $2,266,464 $2,554,604 $4,529,478 $ 119,968 $106,835 $120,138

Total Revenue

$25,146,396

Programs Fundraising Administrative Costs

$21,771,298 1,826,764 $659,100

Total Expenses**

$24,257,162

EXPENSES

2.72% 7.53%

89.75%

* The Living Desert is a California 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation.

(EIN 95-3385354). ** Total Excludes Depreciation

“

The Living Desert would like to thank you for your generous support. Your giving allows us to do this critical work, from conservation efforts to on-site animal care.

One of the most innovative and forward-thinking giving programs at The Living Desert is the Living Legacy Endowment campaign. Donating to the endowment means your principal gift remains untouched, while its investment income provides for The Living Desert’s future. These funds can be used in many ways, including balancing the budget, expanding staffing, strengthening employee benefits, and helping with unexpected emergency repairs such as storm damage.

This program began with an incredible $21 million in 2015 thanks to the commitment of campaign managers and trustees Susan Cooper and BJ Skilling. We are very appreciative to them for initiating this campaign, which has now grown to an impressive $57 million for the fiscal year-ending June 30, 2024. To all those who contributed to this transformational legacy, we are incredibly grateful!

We continue to accept ongoing gifts toward the endowment to help sustain our future.

My wife Suzan and I believe in The Living Desert’s mission: Desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation. We are both honored to be able to support the many facets of The Living Desert, both financially and as volunteers. We believe this will help to make a difference in saving species and inspiring conservationists of today and tomorrow.”

— Bill Appel, Chairman of the Board

ON THE FRONT COVER Black rhinoceroses Jaali and Nia meet for the first time.

BACK COVER Rose, the mountain lion.

47900 Portola Ave. Palm Desert, CA 92260 760-346-5694 LivingDesert.org