Education / Tours
Living Desert University | Trips & Tours | Starry Safari | AAZK | Gecko Explorers | Youth Tours

Trips & Tours

THINGS TO DO AT THE ZOO

Clow Lecture Series:
This free lecture series is sponsored by the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Research Center and The Living Desert's CLOW Lecture Endowment.
All lectures are presented at The Living Desert’s Education Center.  Doors open at 6p.m.  Reservations are not required.
Click Here to download the Lecture Series Flyer

Mortality and Recruitment of Desert Perennials in Response to Extreme Drought: Are Drought Deciduous Shrubs Being Eliminated From Low Elevations in the Northwestern Sonoran Desert? 
March 11
Speaker: Dr. Ed Bobich, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

For more information, please contact Michelle Moe at 760-346-5694,
ext. 2501 or mmoe@livingdesert.org.

Breakfast Behind-the-Scenes
Members: $35; Non-Members: $45

Breakfast starts at 7:00 am with the exception of Mother’s Day which starts at 7:30 am. We’ll meet near Admissions and transport you by shuttle. Your adventure includes a generous continental breakfast and a special behind-the scenes tour or garden walk you won’t soon forget.

CLICK HERE to register for Breakfast Behind-the-Scenes.

WILDFLOWER & GARDEN TOURS WITH
THE LIVING DESERT IN 2009

The long-awaited winter rains, coupled with the recent showers and beautiful weather should produce a spectacular wildflower season.  Join The Living Desert on one of our highly anticipated 2009 Wildflower Tours.

You have two options this season. You may choose one of our carpool / caravan trips to select valley locations, or leave the driving to us; and opt for one of our deluxe motorcoach bus tours.  Whichever you choose, be prepared to see Mother Nature flaunting her spring finery!

CLICK HERE for The Living Desert’s most recent Wildflower Report.

Wildflower Carpool / Caravan Tours
Members: $15; Non-members: $20
All carpool / caravan tips leave The Living Desert at 8:30a.m. and return at mid-day (approximately).

Wednesday, March 11th
Whitewater Canyon:This important Southern California watershed is a magical place any time of year - but spring is always a special treat!

Sunday, March 15th & Tuesday, March 24th
Cottonwood Springs: Joshua Tree's Cottonwood had some of the best wildflower shows in recent years, so we're anticipating an inspiring bloom this season!

Tuesday, March 31st
Pinyon Crest: The higher elevations at Pinyon Crest show you a whole new wildflower palette!

CLICK HERE to register for a Wildflower Carpool / Caravan Tour

Wildflower / Garden Bus Excursions

Palm Springs "Secret Gardens" Bus Tour 
Saturday, March 14th         $49.00
Join The Living Desert on a fabulous bus tour featuring three exclusive, private, Palm Springs' gardens.  Meet owners and designers to learn how they turned inspiration into living works of art! Tour includes refreshments and snacks.  

NEW! Anza Borrego Wildflower Bus Tour
Wednesday, March 18th    $45
Join us on this comfortable bus tour to the breathtaking vistas found only at Anza Borrego.  The rains at the end of December, coupled with the recent showers and beautiful weather have naturalists excited by the promise of a spectacular wildflower show this spring. Tour includes refreshments and snacks. 

For more information, or to book one of these wonderful bus excursions Contact Melody Winston, Palm Springs Tours & More, 760-329-2204 or Christine Janson at 760-346-5694, ext. 2506

Kids’ Programs

GECKO EXPLORERS
The coolest zoo program for kids is only at The Living Desert! 
Each Saturday, Gecko Explorers ages 6-14 experience nature as never before. Through behind the scenes adventures, animal encounters and hands-on activities kids have a ‘wild’ experience they’ll never forget!
Click here for details.

ZOOCAMP
Catch the excitement of ZooCamp at The Living Desert!  ZooCamp is offered in weekly sessions, Monday through Friday, several times throughout the year. Campers learn about plants and animals, the environment (including our own desert) and what its like to work at a zoo.  Programs are challenging and stimulating, but most of all, a lot of fun! The 2008-2009 sessions begin with our NEW Winter ZooCamp the week of December 29th and our NEW Spring ZooCamp the week of April 13th!  We’ll be expanding our ever popular Summer ZooCamp, which we’re increasing to eight weekly sessions to keep up with demand!

NEW! And this season, for the first time ever, ZooCampers can select an optional Wednesday Night Sleepover!

Classes are designed for distinct age levels each week Register early, as classes fill quickly.  For more details, please contact the Education Department at 760-346-5694, ext. 2501 or by email.

NEW! Winter & Spring ZooCamp are each offered for a single week each season. ZooCampers will learn about habitats, propagation, adaptations, food chains and endangered species while enjoying behind-the-scenes tours and special animal encounters!

Winter & Spring ZooCamp Weekly Sessions are $145 for Members and
$180 for Non-members.
Wednesday Night Sleepover Option (ages 7 and up) are $48 for Members
and $58 for Non-members.

CLICK HERE to register for Winter or Spring ZooCamp, registration begins October 15th.

Summer ZooCamp consists of eight weekly sessions. Each themed class focuses on an entertaining and educational topic, geared to the specific age level it’s offered at.  ZooCampers will be excited by the special behind-the-scenes tours and animal encounters you can only find at The Living Desert!

CLICK HERE for 2009 Summer ZooCamp Schedule, available April 1st.

CLICK HERE to register for Summer ZooCamp, registration begins
April 15th.

Click here to check your on-line registration account.