Press Room

PALM DESERT/INDIAN WELLS, CA – April 20, 2023 – The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens invites the community to celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 22 from 9:00am-12:00pm. Plus, guests can help the Zoo reach its goal of planting 10,000 seeds to support pollinators now through Sunday, April 23.

Earth Day at The Living Desert is the best way to celebrate our beloved planet. On Saturday, April 22, from 9:00am–12:00pm, guests can explore the Zoo as they visit conservation-themed stations with hands-on activities, like planting pollinator-friendly plants and opportunities to pledge their support in helping native wildlife and the world’s wild places. Limited-edition trading cards, featuring iconic desert species including the desert tortoise, monarch butterfly, milkweed, and western bluebird will also be available, as supplies last.

Now through April 23^rd from 10:00am-11:00am daily, guests can also take part in the 10,000 Seeds: A Pollinator Plant Party. Located at the Discovery Center, the community can join in the fun and take action to help protect deserts by planting pollinator-friendly, drought-resistant seeds to take home to their gardens.

“The 10,000 Seeds: A Pollinator Plant Party and Earth Day celebration will share the importance of pollinators with our community and inspire them to take action,” said Dr. Anna Young, Director of Education Engagement. “Through different stations and hands-on activities, you can learn how to make a positive environmental impact with simple, everyday actions. And by planting pollinator seeds, we can help create essential habitats for critically important species, such as monarchs.”

The five pollinator plants featured in 10,000 Seeds: A Pollinator Plant Party are native, desert-friendly, and bloom at different times throughout the year, providing habitat and nectar for both local and migrating pollinators like butterflies, bees, and bats. Seeds will include desert milkweed (an essential food and habitat for monarch butterflies), as well as desert bluebell, Mojave lupine, desert marigold, and sand verbena.

Additional seeds planted will be used to help establish pollinator gardens at the Zoo and across the Coachella Valley. The Living Desert is partnering with several locations, such as libraries and community centers, in developing certified wildlife habitat gardens that support a variety of pollinators.

Earth Day and the 10,000 Seeds: A Pollinator Plant Party are free for members or with paid park admission. The Living Desert is open daily from 8:00am–5:00pm, with last admission at 4:00pm. For more information and advance tickets, visit livingdesert.org.

Media Contact:

Casandra Staubo
Account Executive
(832) 229-6722
casandra.staubo@jessuppr.com

About the Living Desert:

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a nonprofit, accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, ensuring the highest standards of all aspects of animal care, education, conservation, public service, and operations. The Zoo is active in conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs and education initiatives around the world, as well as in its own community. The Zoo has been a top destination in the Palm Springs area for 50 years. The Living Desert is located at 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260. For more information: (760) 346-5694 or visit livingdesert.org.

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