The Living Desert Scholarship
Each year, The Living Desert, in partnership with OneFuture Coachella Valley, awards thousands of dollars to support ZooTeen volunteers pursuing college majors related to conservation. This initiative underscores the Zoo's commitment to fostering the next generation of conservation professionals. ZooTeens have the opportunity to gain valuable life and job readiness skills while volunteering in a fun and collaborative environment. The recipients of the 2024 The Living Desert Scholarship for collegebound students are Alyssa Ramirez, Maddox Burr, and Madeleine Scott. During the upcoming ZooTeen End of Year Celebration event, held on June 7, the 2025 winners will be announced.
The Living Desert Scholarship has been supporting students from the Coachella Valley for over a decade. The award supports expenses like tuition, books, and other college-related costs. Past recipients have achieved significant academic milestones, including Rogelio Barajas, a 2013 scholarship winner, who is now a Life Science researcher at Stanford University.
“My future aspirations in life [are] to help all animal species, plant species, and the environment to continue living and growing.”
Alyssa
Scholarship recipient
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 Living Desert or pursue other passions. This year, the organization also continues to support students from the 2023 cohort: Emily Lindemann, Kinsi Peterson, Maxwell Floyd, Mikenna Pruette, Samantha Gonzalez, and Samantha Schuessler. The nine recipients are set to study Biology, Environmental Science & Policy, Oceanography/Marine Biology, and Zoology at universities in California and Arizona. They aspire to careers in environmental law, wildlife fieldwork, veterinary medicine, and conservation education. High school students in the Coachella Valley who are passionate about conservation and education are encouraged to join the ZooTeen program this fall. Applications are accepted every April and October. Seniors in the program can apply for the scholarship to aid their college education. More information can be found at LivingDesert.org/ZooTeens.
Ramirez, 2024 The Living Desert
From left to right: Madeleine Scott, Maddox Burr, and Alyssa Ramirez.
World Desert Day
To recognize the importance of desert ecosystems, The Living Desert launched the inaugural World Desert Day celebration on January 13, 2024. This successful event was the catalyst for The Living Desert to advocate for the recognition of World Desert Day at both the local and state levels. In collaboration with Assemblymember Greg Wallis and Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, both the California Assembly and Senate have unanimously passed resolutions to officially designate the second Saturday of January as World Desert Day in the state of California!
The second annual World Desert Day was held on January 11, 2025, and was once again a successful celebration of the unique flora and fauna of the desert! These events — and the official designation of the day — serve as a step forward in protecting California’s desert ecosystems.
Desert landscapes make up one-third of the Earth’s landmass and are rich in biodiversity, but these spaces are threatened by human activity and climate change. With this strong, continued message shared by World Desert Day advocates, The Living Desert hopes to inspire guests, residents, and policy makers to prioritize desert conservation.
At The Living Desert’s second annual World Desert Day, Assemblymember Greg Wallis shared the exciting news that the resolution to recognize World Desert Day in the state of California had passed unanimously on the California State Assembly floor.
Many of The Living Desert’s conservation partners from around the area came to share their important work with guests during World Desert Day.
Collections Garden Supervisor Baltazar Pimentel shares details about a baobab leaf from a nearby tree during a garden tour. Other garden related activities at World Desert Day included a native plant sale and seed planting.
EVENTS CALENDAR SUMMER 2025
ONGOING
Summer Hours
June 1
From June 1 through September 30, The Living Desert will be open from 7:00am-1:30pm daily, with the last admission at 12:30pm. During summer hours, the carousel and hiking trails will be closed until October 1.
Walking Club: Members Only
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:00am-8:30am (New Summer Hours)
Join The Living Desert’s members-only walking program and explore the world’s deserts before most people have even had breakfast! Choose between a ¾ mile stroll or a 1¼ mile journey to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Zoo, alongside your fellow members. Visit LivingDesert.org/Membership to become a member.
JUNE-JULY
Summer ZooCamp
8:00am-12:00pm
Week 1: June 11-13 (K-6)
Week 2: June 17-19 (K-6)
Week 3: June 24-26 (K-3 and 7-10)
Week 4: July 1-3 (K-6)
Registration is now open for Summer ZooCamp. ZooCampers will learn about wildlife through STEM activities, arts and crafts, up-close animal encounters, and more. Visit LivingDesert.org/ZooCamp to learn more.
New Volunteer Orientation
July 7, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Volunteers at The Living Desert are integral to the Zoo, helping to share our mission of desert conservation with guests each day. Join the wonderfully wild team! Visit LivingDesert.org/Volunteer to fill out an application and learn more.
AUGUST-OCTOBER
Visit
LivingDesert.org/Events or scan the QR code for more information about upcoming events.
Teacher Open House
August 9, 9:00am-10:30am
To celebrate the teachers who make up our communities, we’re inviting you to join us for a Teacher Open House at the Zoo. Advance registration is required, visit LivingDesert.org/TeacherDay.
Season Hours Return
October 1
The Living Desert returns to its regular hours of 8:00am-5:00pm daily, with last admission at 4:00pm. At this time, the hiking trails and carousel will also return to regular hours.
Save the Date
Tequila and Mezcal Tasting
October 10
Native Plant Sale
October 11
Travel
with
The
Living Desert Visit LivingDesert.org/Travel to learn more.
Zimbabwe: “The Thunder and Roar of Africa’s True Wilderness”
June 18-30, 2026
Namibia: “Apricot Dunes and Desert-Adapted Wildlife”
August 16-29, 2026
Madagascar
May-June 2027
South Africa Immersion
September 2027
Blippi and Meekah visit The Living Desert! Kids
When Blippi and Meekah don’t know how to build a habitat for their stuffed animals at the Clubhouse, they go to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens to learn about being a Zookeeper!
“Blippi’s Job Show” is now streaming on Netflix. Be on the lookout this summer for season two to see an episode featuring The Living Desert!
47900 Portola Ave. Palm Desert, CA 92260
Make a
Splash Splash
The new Bill Gross and Pax Stengaard Gross Oasis Splash Pad is now open, and members of The Living Desert can enjoy access to this fun and refreshing space all summer long.
Children of all ages can beat the heat in this eco-friendly water play area while learning about the importance of water in the desert.