Education / Tours
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Trips & Tours

The Friendly Gray Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon
March 16-20, 2009
We invite you to join The Living Desert and a small group of like-minded adventurers to experience this very special place where the desert meets the sea--San Ignacio Lagoon. Travel with internationally respected marine naturalist Doug Thompson, Director of Expeditions for The SummerTree Institute, for five peaceful days of whale watching. In outboard-powered skiffs you’ll get an up-close and personal experience, interacting with mother and baby whales. More info

THINGS TO DO AT THE ZOO

Travel Show Wine & Cheese Reception - Free
November 5
4:00 – 6:00 pm
Join us for an exciting afternoon as The Living Desert presents a preview of the 2008-2009 Season of Travel. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions and promote our upcoming trips with slides, short clips, brochures and more. Contact Christine Janson at 760-346-5694, ext 2506 or by e-mail at cjanson@livingdesert.org  for more information or reservations.

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

Quoth the Hummingbird: Unlocking the Secret of Song
November 12
Speaker: Dr. Anne Houtman, Associate Professor, D. Phil., University of Oxford, England, Director of General Education Biology Program, California State University, Fullerton

Life in the Underground: Understanding and Planning for Environmental Change in Dynamic Ecosystems
December 10
Speaker: Dr. Mike Allen, Director of the Center for Conservation Biology Professor of Plant Pathology and Biology

Closing the Circle:  Migratory Connectivity between Breeding and Wintering Populations of Desert Sparrows
January 14
Speaker: Dr. John Rotenberry, Professor of Biology

Avian Response to Climate Change in the Colorado Desert
(A Canary Forecast)
February 11
Speaker: Lori Hargrove, Ph.D., Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology

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.

Doug Thompson & The Friendly Gray
Whales of Baja Lecture
November 19
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Hoover Education Center
See featured article

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.

TRAVEL WITH THE LIVING DESERT IN 2009

Salton Sea Birding Trips
January 4, 16, 31
7:45 am
Members: $30; Non-Members: $35
Join our carpool trip to the Salton Sea. We depart The Living Desert at 7:45 am and return by 5:00 pm. We will search the birds of winter, including the peregrine falcon and the merlin. A highlight of the day might be burrowing owls seen peering from their burrow entrances. Participants are reminded to bring lunch, snacks, water, hat, jackets, sunscreen and binoculars; wear comfortable walking shoes. Leaders will bring spotting scopes. Please be prepared to drive your own vehicle. Register on-line, or contact Christine Janson at 760-346-5694, ext 2506 or by e-mail at cjanson@livingdesert.org  for more information or reservations.

CLICK HERE to register for Salton Sea Birding Trips.

Getty Museum
Saturday, January 10
Members: $68; Non-Members: $78
Join The Living Desert on this all-day bus trip to the Getty Museum and Gardens. Bus departs The Living Desert at 7:45 am and returns between 5:30 and 6 pm The price includes bus transportation, bus driver gratuity, snacks and bottled water. Pack your own or lunch at the restaurant or one of several cafes. Register on-line, or contact Christine Janson at 760-346-5694, ext 2506 or by e-mail at cjanson@livingdesert.org  for more information and reservations.

CLICK HERE to register for the J. Paul Getty Museum Trip

Death Valley Experience
January 20 - 22
$439.00 per person double occupancy, $595.00 single occupancy
At the lowest point in the United States, you will find snow-covered peaks, beautiful sand dunes and abandoned mines.  We will be joined by a special National Park Service Guide to explore the upper and lower portions of Death Valley, including famous Scotty’s Castle, Harmony Borax Works, Badwater and many other intriguing sights.  We will be staying at the Furnace Creek Ranch which sits amidst towering mountains, inspiring canyons and glittering salt flats. Join us for a true adventure! Price includes transportation from Palm Desert, gratuities and box lunch. All other meals on own. Contact Melody Winston, Palm Springs Tours & More, (760) 329-2204 or Christine Janson (760) 346-5694, ext 2506 or by e-mail at cjanson@livingdesert.org for more information and reservations.

Copper Canyon in Mexico by Train (9-Days)
January 30 – February 7
$1689.00 per person double occupancy, $2164.00 single occupancy
Explore the legendary Copper Canyon of Mexico and meet the native Tarahumara Indians, a semi-nomadic tribe whose ancestors have lived in the canyon’s caves for thousands of years. Travel by train from sea level to 7,500 feet in less than 150 miles, passing through incredible tunnels. The return trip takes us a different route to visit archaeological sites of ancient civilizations in Paquime. Price includes all accommodations, 1st class train travel, bus transportation, and all meals except first and last night’s dinners. Gratuities are additional. Travelers must be in good physical condition for the high altitudes. Travel Insurance is recommended. Book by November 22, 2008. Contact Melody Winston, Palm Springs Tours & More, (760) 329-2204 or Christine Janson (760) 346-5694, ext 2506 or by e-mail at cjanson@livingdesert.org for more information and reservations.

“Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy”
Thursday, Feb 19
 $115
Met with great acclaim, “Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy,” is coming to the Orange County Performing Arts Center this winter.  Join us for the matinee to see this wonderful Cirque du Soleil performance. Contact Melody Winston, Palm Springs Tours & More, (760) 329-2204 or Christine Janson (760) 346-5694, ext 2506 or by e-mail at cjanson@livingdesert.org for more information and reservations.

Grand Canyon Railway
Mar 10 - Mar 12
$479 per person double occupancy, $699.00 single occupancy
Experience the spectacular Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world!
Join our round-trip train ride from Williams, Arizona, aboard the vintage Grand Canyon Railway, traversing 64 miles of plains and forestlands.  Upon our arrival at the Canyon, a representative of the National Park Service will meet with us for questions-and-answers.  We will be staying at the lovely Grand Canyon Hotel in Williams, Arizona.  Our return to Palm Desert includes a stop at magnificent Sedona, Arizona, for shopping and sightseeing.  Book early for this popular tour. Price includes accommodations, gratuities and all meals except for two lunches. Contact Melody Winston, Palm Springs Tours & More, (760) 329-2204 or Christine Janson (760) 346-5694, ext 2506 or by e-mail at cjanson@livingdesert.org for more information and reservations.

Transportation by deluxe, restroom-equipped motor coach will be provided for the above four bus tours which will be accompanied by both a Living Desert Staff Member and a Tour Escort. Bus tours depart from The Living Desert where cars may be parked.

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!

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.