activities · 15
what they do
direct service · 15
- Accessibility and Inclusion Compliance Certified Autism Center OperationsOperates as a Certified Autism Center™ and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and California Access Laws to ensure inclusive access for all guests.
- Animal Exhibits and Guest Experiences Zoo Exhibit and Visitor Experience OperationsOperates themed animal exhibits including African Safari (giraffe, black rhino, cheetahs, zebras), Australian Adventures (Bennett’s wallabies, budgies, kookaburras), and Wild Americas (native North American desert wildlife), along with guest attractions such as the G-Scale model train, Endangered Species Carousel, and Mission: Pollination! interactive exhibit.
- Conservation Education and Public Engagement Onsite Environmental Exhibits & DemonstrationsConducts live educational demonstrations such as HeroRAT scent-detection shows and operates immersive experiences like Mission: Pollination! to teach guests about pollinators, conservation, and species protection.
- Desert Conservation and Habitat ProtectionEngages in desert conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation, supporting more than 100 local and global conservation initiatives focused on habitat protection, breeding programs, and research.
- Desert conservation and habitat protectionConducts conservation research, habitat protection, and breeding programs for desert species both locally and globally, supporting over 100 conservation initiatives and promoting desert ecosystem preservation through education and fieldwork.
- Donation-based animal support programOffers a symbolic animal support program where donations of specific amounts provide one month of food for animals such as fennec foxes ($25), zebras ($75), African painted dogs ($150), or one day of food for a rhino ($300).
- Family and Recreational Amenities Community Aquatic Facility OperationsOperates the Oasis Splash Pad daily with animal-themed fountains and a miniature water slide for children, utilizing a recirculatory water system that minimizes water use (only 4,000 gallons to fill).
- Interactive Animal Programs and Encounters Interactive Wildlife Exhibits & Animal EncountersOffers interactive guest experiences including Keeper Connections with animal care experts, walk-up giraffe feeding, private two-hour safari tours with personal guides, and rhino encounter programs involving feeding or brushing with up to 10 guests per session.
- Interactive guest experiences and educational programming Interactive Wildlife Exhibits & Animal EncountersOffers interactive educational programs including Keeper Connections with animal care experts, Mission: Pollination! (an immersive pollinator exhibit), Endangered Species Carousel, live HeroRAT scent-detection demonstrations, and seasonal attractions like the Oasis Splash Pad with water-conserving design.
- Membership Benefits and Programs Admission Access & Membership ProgramsProvides members with unlimited daytime admission for 12 months, a printed subscription to Foxpaws magazine three times per year, two free guest passes annually, and exclusive access to special events for Desert Guardian Society members.
- Membership and donor engagement programs Admission Access & Membership ProgramsOffers membership benefits including 12-month unlimited daytime admission, printed subscriptions to Foxpaws magazine (published three times per year), two free guest passes annually, and exclusive events for Desert Guardian Society members; also accepts tribute and memorial gifts to support wildlife care and conservation.
- Seasonal Park Operations Community Service Access PointsOperates daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm between October 1 and May 31, and from 7:00am to 1:30pm between June 1 and September 30.
- Special animal encounters and guided tours Interactive Wildlife Exhibits & Animal EncountersProvides up-close animal experiences such as daily giraffe feeding, private two-hour safari tours with personal guides, and rhino encounter programs that allow small groups to interact with black rhinos through feeding or brushing.
- Zoo and Botanical Garden OperationsOperates a zoo and botanical gardens featuring desert flora such as Kokerboom trees and Saguaro cacti, with over 50 gardens showcasing approximately 1,200 plant species from deserts worldwide, and maintains nature and hiking trails including the Discovery Loop and Wilderness Loop for public access to Colorado Desert ecosystems.
- Zoo and botanical garden operationsOperates a zoo and botanical gardens featuring desert flora and fauna, including over 50 gardens with approximately 1,200 plant species from deserts worldwide, nature trails (Discovery Loop and Wilderness Loop), and exhibits such as African Safari, Australian Adventures, and Wild Americas showcasing native and endangered species.
strategies · 10
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Conservation Through Public Engagement and Education conservation_through_public_engagementBy using experiential education, onsite hospital tours, and interactive animal encounters, the organization connects visitors emotionally and intellectually to wildlife, fostering conservation support through direct engagement and awareness.
- Integrated Conservation Model integrated_conservationThe organization combines conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs, education, and public engagement into a unified approach to desert preservation, leveraging both direct action and visitor support to advance global conservation initiatives.
- Integrated conservation model combining research, education, and on-the-ground action integrated_conservationThe organization advances desert preservation through a comprehensive approach that integrates conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs, public education, and global conservation initiatives, creating a synergistic model for species and ecosystem protection.
- Public engagement and education as a driver for conservation support conservation_through_public_engagementBy using experiential education, behind-the-scenes access to animal care, and interactive visitor experiences, the organization fosters emotional and intellectual connections with desert wildlife that translate into public support for conservation efforts.
- Revenue Reinvestment in Conservation revenue-reinvestment-in-conservationRevenue generated from guest experiences, ticket sales, and membership programs is directly reinvested into animal care, conservation initiatives, and educational outreach, creating a self-sustaining cycle of support.
- Revenue reinvestment model for sustainable conservation funding revenue-reinvestment-in-conservationGenerates and channels revenue from guest experiences, memberships, and programs back into animal care, conservation initiatives, and educational outreach, ensuring that visitor engagement directly supports mission-driven outcomes.
- Technology and sustainable design to enhance visitor experience and environmental stewardship technology-enhanced_visitor_experienceUses technology such as GPS-enabled mobile apps and sustainable infrastructure like water recirculation systems to improve guest comfort and engagement while minimizing environmental impact.
- Technology-Enhanced and Climate-Responsive Visitor Experience technology-enhanced_visitor_experienceThe organization improves guest comfort and engagement through climate-responsive design (e.g., water-based recreation) and sustainable infrastructure, while using mobile technology to enhance navigation and educational interaction during visits.
- Tiered and Legacy Donor Engagement tiered_donor_engagementThe organization cultivates long-term financial sustainability through tiered membership programs, planned giving, and endowment funding, ensuring continued support for conservation and education beyond annual revenue cycles.
- Tiered and legacy donor engagement for long-term conservation impact tiered_donor_engagementBuilds sustained financial support through tiered membership programs, planned giving, and endowment funding, ensuring long-term stability for conservation and education programs.
named programs · 18
what they call their work
African Safari
An exhibit featuring African animals like black rhinos, waterbucks, springboks, giraffes, greater kudus, and ostriches.
Australian Adventures
An immersive habitat featuring Australian animals such as wallabies, budgies, kookaburras, and emus.
Endangered Species Carousel
Daily carousel ride featuring endangered animal figures; operates seasonally
G-Scale Model Train
A miniature train exhibit depicting a scenic journey from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea and beyond, highlighting desert wildlife protection.
Giraffe Feeding
Opportunity to feed and interact with giraffes at the Giraffe Care and Conservation Center
Goat Kraal
An area where visitors can interact with domestic goats.
Hiking Trails
Nature trails of varying difficulty (Discovery Loop, Adventure Loop, Wilderness Loop) exploring the Colorado Desert.
Keeper Connections
Interactive chats with animal care team members providing behind-the-scenes stories and facts about zoo residents.
Miriam U. Hoover Discovery Center
An indoor, interactive space for all ages to learn about the formation of the Coachella Valley deserts.
Mission: Pollination!
Interactive experience featuring oversized pollinator exhibits, activity maze, and educational riddles about pollinators
Oasis Splash Pad
Water play area with animal-themed fountains and mini water slide for children
Private Safari Tour
Two-hour guided private tour with personal shuttle and customized animal and conservation insights
Rats to the Rescue Encounter
Interactive experience featuring African giant pouched rats trained to detect illegal wildlife products; includes live scent demonstration
Rhino Encounter
Up-close experience with black rhinos including feeding and keeper-led stories; supports animal care and conservation initiatives
Tennity Wildlife Hospital & Conservation Center
On-site wildlife hospital providing care for zoo animals and conservation education for visitors
The Gardens
Over 50 gardens showcasing approximately 1,200 plant species from deserts around the world, including pollinator gardens.
Wild Americas
An exhibit showcasing species from North and South American desert ecosystems amidst native plants.
Zoo for All
A program offering reduced admission and educational program discounts for SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cardholders to ensure affordable access.
relationships · 9
who they work with
- 50+ local businesses in the Coachella Valley Partner — Provides reciprocal discounts to members at participating local businesses including dining, shopping, lodging, and attractions.
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums Network — Accredited member organization ensuring high standards in animal care, education, and conservation.
- Bill Gross and Pax Stengaard Gross Partner — Named donors supporting the Oasis Splash Pad.
- Cars2Charities Partner — Facilitates vehicle donations on behalf of The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.
- Crypto For Charity Partner — Enables cryptocurrency donations to support The Living Desert's conservation efforts.
- Facebook Partner — Provides a platform for supporters to create online fundraisers for The Living Desert.
- Ralph’s Grocery Partner — Partners with The Living Desert to generate support through customer purchases via its community contribution program.
- Tennity Wildlife Hospital Partner — Hosts the Rats to the Rescue Encounter program on-site.
- USA Today Network — Recognized by USA Today as one of the 10Best Zoo Habitats in 2024 and 2026.