living desert safari

All non-member Zoo tickets must be pre-purchased online or at the onsite kiosks.

Today’s Hours: 7:00am – 1:30pm

Today’s Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Rhino Encounter

Giraffe feeding.

• Private Safari Tours

African Safari

Australian adventures, wild americas.

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Visitor information, today at the zoo, things to do, dining & shopping, accessibility information, plan your visit.

All of the information you need to plan your perfect day at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.

Hours, Location & Admission Information

June 1 – september 30.

Open Daily 7:00am – 1:30pm

Last admission at 12:30pm

October 1 – May 31

Open Daily 8:00am – 5:00pm

Last admission at 4:00pm

Closed December 25th

Zoo location.

47900 Portola Ave Palm Desert, CA 92260

Ticket Prices

(General Admission, Ages 18+)

Child/Youth

Child under 3, military discount.

Tickets must be purchased in advance in order to maximize your time for fun!

Enhance Your Adventure With Our Free Mobile App

Seamlessly navigate the park with the app’s GPS-enabled map, plan your day, enjoy interactive experiences, and stay updated wherever you are.

Download the App

Programming and timing subject to change. *additional cost.

Miriam U. Hoover Discovery Center

Discover how the deserts of the Coachella Valley were formed through hands-on activities. This indoor, interactive space invites guests of all ages to discover how the sun, wind, sand, and water worked together to form our unique desert. 

Endangered Species Carousel

Take a spin with one of your favorite animals aboard the Endangered Species Carousel. 

Open daily from Oct 1 – May 31: 9:00am to 4:30pm $3 per ride $8 for unlimited rides

Petting Kraal

Come meet some of the Zoo’s friendly, domestic residents up-close! Guests of all ages are welcome to groom or pet the Nigerian dwarf goats. 

Keeper Connections

Tennity wildlife hospital & conservation center.

Care and conservation are at our core. We invite all guests into our state-of-the-art hospital and conservation center to see what goes into caring for our critters. Hear from volunteers, tour the facility, and maybe even see a procedure in the process!

Open during normal park hours.

G-Scale Model Train

Gecko gulch.

Gecko Gulch is an interactive outdoor play area that encourages children to use their imaginations and create their own fun. Spread over one acre, the play area features slides, climbing features, and more.

Located near the Discovery Center.

Tours & Experiences

Level up your adventure and create unforgettable memories with our interactive tours and experiences! The cost of your experience tickets help support the Zoo’s world-class animal care and global conservation initiatives.

This intimate encounter is a TON of fun! Come face-to-face with an iconic, and critically endangered species, the black rhino. During this up-close experience, you’ll be able to participate in the rhino’s feeding routine and hear fascinating stories directly from the team who cares for them! Get ready to make life-long memoires and snap some Instagram-worthy photos!

Private Safari Tour

Embark on a memorable two-hour Private Safari Tour at The Living Desert, where you’ll be chauffeured around the Zoo in style on a private shuttle by your personal guide. Your guide will lead you through the park, sharing animal facts, Zoo history, and more for a fun and comfortable adventure tailored just for you.

Feed your sense of adventure —and a giraffe! Come nose-to-nose with the world’s tallest animal for a unique opportunity to spend a moment with these graceful giants, create unforgettable memories, and take wild photos.

Tickets can be purchased at the giraffe feeding station inside the park.

Animals & Gardens

Hiking trails, the gardens.

With over 50 gardens, The Living Desert showcases roughly 1,200 plant species! Explore the unique flora of deserts from around the world, meander through pollinator gardens, where hummingbirds and butterflies drift through the air, or enjoy a picnic among one of the shaded pathways as you take in the breathtaking scenery.

Appel Gift Shop

Entry plaza, 8:00am - 5:00pm.

The newly remodeled Suzan and Bill Appel Gift Shop is open daily and features a curated selection of zoo memorabilia, souvenirs, unique gifts, and more to remember your visit.

Kookaburra Cafe

Australian adventures - wallaby habitat.

Get fresh, made-to-order sandwiches, soups and salads at our popular cafe. Dine out on the patio overlooking our Australian Adventures habitat.

African Safari - Giraffe Habitat

Perfect for a grab-and-go snack or cup of coffee, Crash Cafe is serving up freshly-baked cookies, ICEEs, soft-serve, lattes, and draft beer.

Thorn Tree Grill

African safari - village watutu.

The Living Desert is dedicated to creating create a safe, navigable environment, so that visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy nature.

The Living Desert is proud to be a Certified Autism Center™ and is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and California Access Laws.

Accommodations for

The Living Desert aims to offer an inclusive experience for all, including those with sensory sensitivities. To support this mission, we provide ongoing training to our staff and offer the following resources and accommodations:

Sensory Resources

At no cost, guests can borrow sensory resources such as fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, weighted lap pads, and more. These items are available for checkout at our Admissions windows or the Guest Services Office, conveniently located just beyond the Zoo Entrance. Guests can leave an ID to borrow these resources.

Sensory Maps

Our Sensory Maps offer valuable information and highlight areas that may be loud, crowded, interactive, smelly, or dark, as well as quieter and more peaceful areas within the park.

The Zoo offers monoculars to aid our sight-impaired guests. If a sight-impaired guest is accompanied and needs assistance by an aid, the aid is offered a complimentary daytime admission ticket to the Zoo.

* These items require that our guests fill out an Equipment Checkout Form and provide an ID and credit card number. There is a $50 charge for any equipment that is not returned.

Only working service animals are permitted. If you require a service dog, you must notify the Admissions staff to alert our Animal Care Department. Certain areas of the Zoo are restricted. Please view our complete Service Animal Policy .

Pets are not allowed in the park. For safety reasons, please do not leave a pet in your car.

The Zoo features wide, paved pathways for strollers and wheelchairs. Rentals, including child strollers, wheelchairs, and electric scooters, are available at the entrance on a first-come, first-served basis. Availability and prices may vary.

Daily Rentals:

• Single Strollers: $8.00*
• Double Strollers: $10.00*
• Wheelchair: $15.00*
• Electric Scooter/Electric Convenience Vehicle: $30.00*

Relevant Information

The Zoo offers an Assistive Listening Device that can aid hearing. If a hearing-impaired guest is accompanied and needs assistance by an aid, the aid is offered a complimentary daytime admission ticket to the Zoo.

For queries or needs, contact Guest Services at (760) 346-5694  or [email protected] . Optimal service is provided with a two-week prior notice. Your calls, comments, and suggestions are always welcome. Discuss special needs on the day of your visit at our Guest Services office near the front entrance. Please note, that access is a field that changes frequently, as new information, technology, and laws evolve, we reserve the right to modify this guide and our accessibility policies as appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i get to the living desert.

From Highway 111 in Palm Desert, turn south on Portola Ave., then it’s a quick 1.5 miles up the road. Take a left at the main entrance.

From Interstate 10, take the Monterey exit and head south. Go approximately 6 miles and turn east (left) on Highway 111. Turn south on Portola Ave., then it’s a quick 1.5 miles up the road. Take a left at the main entrance.

How much is parking?

Can i bring my dog, what is your service animal policy.

The Policy:

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens welcomes any well-behaved service dog in the company of its owner onto The Living Desert grounds. We are happy to comply with state and federal laws to allow this access.

Service Animal Definition :

Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform specific tasks for people with disabilities. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA).

In order to determine if an animal is a service animal, The Living Desert’s Zoo staff may ask only the following questions:

• Is the animal a service animal required because of a disability?
• What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, only trained service animals are permitted on Zoo grounds. Pets, exotic species, therapy, or emotional-support animals are not permitted. Service animals in training are permitted into the Zoo with prior notification to the Zoo’s management team.

Regarding miniature horses, the Zoo will consider additional factors to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether it is a reasonable accommodation to allow a person with a disability to be accompanied by a miniature horse who is a service animal. Those factors: (1) the type, size, and weight of the miniature horse and whether the facility can accommodate it; (2) whether the handler has sufficient control over the miniature horse; (3) whether the miniature horse is housebroken; and (4) whether the miniature horse’s presence in the facility compromises legitimate safety rules that are necessary for a safe operation.

General Guidelines :

Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls. The care and supervision of a service animal is the sole responsibility of the owner.

Restricted Areas :

The Living Desert is responsible for the health and well-being of a vast number of valued and, in many cases, rare and endangered species of animals. Because we are subject to stringent regulations pertaining to their protection, service animals are restricted from the following areas:

Petting Kraal habitat :

State of California Penal Code 54.7 allows this exception where there is not a physical barrier between the zoo’s population of animals and the service animal.

Australian Outback habitat :

State of California Penal Code 54.7 allows this exception where there is not a physical barrier between the zoo’s population of animals and the service animal. Wild Prairies habitat State of California Penal Code 54.7 allows this exception where there is not a physical barrier between the zoo’s population of animals and the service animal.

Wildlife Wonders and Village Reptile Show :

Under federal guidelines -At a zoo, service animals can be restricted from areas where the animals on display are the natural prey or natural predators of dogs, where the presence of a dog would be disruptive, causing the displayed animals to behave aggressively or become agitated The Living Desert will offer care of the service animal while the guest visits the restricted areas, and if necessary, offer an escort to the owner while in these areas.

In the event that a service animal’s presence could theoretically cause animals in our care undue stress or anxiety, or present the potential for injury, we reserve the right to designate some areas off limits, or to designate the area as sensitive and request that guests observe extra caution in these areas. Sensitive areas may be designated as a result of new births or hatchlings, nesting or breeding behaviors in progress, or new animals on exhibit. Zoo veterinarians, directors and animal care managers will determine whether special circumstances warrant restrictions on service animals in any areas.

Guest Responsibilities :

Responsibilities of the guests with service animals include:

• To care for and supervise the service animal, including appropriately disposing of any service animal waste.
• To maintain control over the service animal at all times and adhere to leash laws as applicable.
• To refrain from taking the service animal into restricted areas.
• To remove the service animal when a conflict or potential conflict may occur. This includes free roaming birds and zoo animals on walks with handlers.

The Living Desert does not require any surcharges for fees for service animals. However, the owner will be held liable (and charged as applicable) for any damage, injury or death caused by the service animal to the grounds, him/herself, the animal or plant collection, employees, or visitors to the same extent as others without service animals are held responsible or charged. Owners should also be aware that the nature of Zoo activities is such that service animals may be exposed to diseases of animals within the Zoo’s population, and this risk is assumed wholly by the owner when bringing the service animal on site.

If a service animal is allowed to be brought on site, and during the visit that animal becomes disruptive, the handler will be asked to remove the animal from The Living Desert and to a safe location for the animal. The handler will be free to return to The Living Desert afterwards. Disruptive animals may be disallowed from future visits.

Service Animals in Training :

We are not required to admit puppies or dogs that are in training as service dogs. However, we will usually treat these animals and handlers as a working unit. Service dogs in-training and their handlers will have to follow all the guidelines and responsibilities as a fully trained service animal and are allowed in any public area of the park, except the Kraal Petting Area and Australian Outback area exhibit and the walk-through aviaries. We do reserve the right to deny admission to any puppy or dog behaving in a manner that causes concern for animals in our care.

Can we bring our own food in?

Does the zoo offer any promotions or discounts, reciprocal zoo admissions.

Receive 50% off admission with an active membership card and valid photo ID to other reciprocal Zoos, Aquariums, and Gardens. Please note that we are unable to reserve reciprocal zoo admission tickets online or over the phone. To redeem the reciprocal discount, tickets must be purchased at the admissions window.

Museums for All

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is dedicated to fostering wildlife connections for everyone, regardless of economic status. We aim to be inclusive and offer affordable access to low-income families through two programs, ensuring everyone can experience our museum and cultural attractions.

Zoo Admission

To broaden access to everyone, The Living Desert is offering a special, reduced rate to SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cardholders. Cardholders can simply show valid, SNAP/EBT card and valid form of photo ID at the ticket counter to receive a special zoo admission price of $3.00 per person, for up to 4 people. EBT cardholder must be present at the time of purchase to receive the discount.

Museums for All pricing is available to all SNAP EBT cardholders during regular zoo hours, excluding all special event days, special events, and evening hours.

Educational Promotions

Participants can register for any educational program during the 2024 season at 10% of the listed price. The SNAP or EBT card holder must be present at check-in with their card and a valid form of photo ID to receive the discount. Please see the details below to register.

*The P-EBT card is not valid for these promotions.

Can I smoke in the Zoo?

How much time does it take to see the entire zoo.

You should allow 2-3 hours to see everything at a comfortable pace. Make sure to check our Daily Schedule prior to arrival to plan ahead.

What should I wear to the zoo?

Is first aid available if i need it, what are the zoo’s policies and rules.

For the safety of all our guests, animals and plants, the following rules must be adhered to while in or around The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. We reserve the right to restrict entrance or require a guest to leave Zoo grounds if these rules are not followed. We also reserve the right to restrict the use of any items or behavior which may be harmful to other guests, animals, or plants.

• Please respect the animals and treat them as you would like to be treated.
• Entrance into ANY animal exhibit including the crossing of any barriers, fencing, or gates is strictly prohibited and is considered unlawful under California Penal Code Section 602.13. Parents, guardians, and chaperones should pay close attention to their children at all times.
• Pets of any kind are prohibited in the park and are not permitted to be left alone in vehicles for any amount of time. Working service dogs that perform tasks for their owners are permitted.
• The Living Desert maintains a smoke-free environment.
• The Living Desert is a natural reserve and home to a variety of native wildlife such as spiders, scorpions and snakes that come and go from our grounds and could pose a potential risk. Please refrain from turning over stones or logs and stay on designated paths. If you are fortunate enough to see some of this wildlife, please notify a staff member or volunteer to resolve any situation.
• By entering the park, through membership or ticket purchase, you acknowledge that your photograph may be taken and used for marketing purposes.

What is the Zoo’s photo and image use policy?

What are the zoo’s media policies.

No person may sell or promote for commercial purpose, any image, video, or other medium taken while visiting The Living Desert without contractual permission granted by The Living Desert. The use of The Living Desert’s facilities for artistic purposes including commercials, TV shows, publication shoots, and model shoots must be approved and scheduled through The Living Desert’s Marketing and Public Relations Department. For more information, please call (760) 346-5694 .

Who do I contact to make a donation for my upcoming fundraiser?

Please submit a Community Donation Request . Due to the large number of requests we receive, please allow 45 days from the event date for us to review and process the request. We are unable to respond to follow-up emails or phone calls. Phone, e-mail, mail and drop-in requests will not be considered.

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The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

• Description

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a haven for nature enthusiasts, where visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty and diversity of the desert ecosystem. From awe-inspiring animal encounters to stunning desert plant displays, this unique destination offers an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

A Oasis of Wildlife

The Living Desert boasts a captivating collection of native animals, showcasing the diverse species that call the desert their home. Wander through the spacious habitats and observe magnificent creatures such as bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and cheetahs. With over 450 animals, including many endangered species, the zoo plays a crucial role in conservation efforts and education.

Journey through Desert Habitats

Embark on a voyage through various desert habitats, each meticulously recreated to reflect their natural beauty. Explore the Mojave Desert, Sonoran Desert, and African Savanna exhibits, discovering the flora and fauna that thrive in these arid environments. As you stroll along scenic pathways, you’ll encounter exotic plants, stunning sculptures, and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Family-Friendly Activities

The Living Desert offers a range of activities and experiences that cater to visitors of all ages. Join a guided tour or wildlife encounter to learn fascinating facts about the animals and their habitats. Children can unleash their inner explorer at the interactive Discovery Center, where they can get up close to reptiles and bugs while discovering the wonders of the desert world.

Botanical Beauty

In addition to its impressive animal collection, the Living Desert is renowned for its diverse and vibrant botanical displays. Admire the striking colors and shapes of desert flowers, cacti, and succulents, all expertly curated to showcase the beauty of desert plant life. The Gardens also feature a butterfly exhibit, where visitors can witness the delicate dance of these enchanting creatures.

Conservation and Education

At the Living Desert, the mission extends beyond the zoo experience. Through its dedicated conservation initiatives and educational programs, the institution strives to inspire visitors to become stewards of the environment. From wildlife rehabilitation to research and community engagement, the zoo plays a vital role in preserving the natural heritage of the desert ecosystem.

A visit to the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a journey of discovery, offering a unique blend of wildlife encounters and botanical beauty. As you wander through its pathways and exhibits, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the resilience and diversity of desert life. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable family outing, this captivating destination will leave you with a newfound admiration for the wonders of the natural world. Plan your visit today and let the Living Desert transport you to a desert oasis like no other.

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Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

Rated one of the 10 best zoos in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler and one of the top family-friendly attractions in Greater Palm Springs, the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens invites little ones (and the young at heart) to explore the wonderfully wild creatures of the world’s deserts all in one place. The Living Desert is a Zoo like no other, learn about the vast variety of creatures and plants from the desert regions of the world. Exhibits range from the grasslands and plains of Africa to the rocky terrain and canyons of North America and feature more than 1,600 species of plants and 140 species of animals. 

From June 1 – September 30,2024, The Living Desert will be operating under adjusted summer hours daily from 7:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. with the last admission being allowed in at 12:30 P.M.

Experiences

Explore the Rhino Savanna and Australian Adventures habitat (ranked #4 in the USA Today's Best Zoo Habitats) which now adds a wide variety of new residents to The Living Desert. From wallabies, emus, kookaburras and waterbucks, to springboks and naked mole-rats. You will have much to explore while you meet the Zoo's largest inhabitants, two black rhinos, Nia and Jaali. This exhibit is marks the beginning of The Living Desert's long-term commitment to protect the endangered Black rhinoceros.

Also, be sure to stop by and visit JoAnn and Daniel, the parks cutest newest members of the giraffe herd who can now be seen trotting around the savanna with their 10 other friends!

Close Encounters

Learn about a vast variety of species by experiencing one of the many interactive encounters available at The Living Desert. Featuring a full schedule keeper hosted animal encounters throughout the day, guests can look forward to seeing all the care that goes towards protecting the conservation of each and every resident. 

Next, you can take a step closer by heading over to the petting corral or giraffe feeding area where you can interact with and even feed giraffes, donkeys, cattle and goats. Have an experience you will not soon forget, as you also learn about the specific dietary requirement needed to ensure every resident is as happy and healthy as possible. 

Fun For The Whole Family

Stop by the discovery center and marvel at the one of the largest model train displays you will find plus children will love taking a spin on the carousel while also learning about many of the endangered species calling The Living Desert home. Want to connect with nature even more? Take a beautiful stroll through one of their three unique hiking trails.

Food & Drink

Whether you're looking for a quick snack or a nice lunch, The Living Desert has you covered. The Kookaburra Cafe and Crash Cafe offer guests a fast and ready to go meal in a moments notice. The Thorn Tree Grill offers traditional American cuisine such as burgers, sandwiches and more. Need to satisfy your sweet tooth? Drop by Safari Soft Serve or Churro Stop for your fill of sweetness.

Plan Your Family Getaway This Summer at The Living Desert

  Embark on an unforgettable summer adventure at The Living Desert! Get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of nature and encounter a diverse array of wildlife like never before. Whether you're seeking a thrilling safari experience, educational...

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• VISIT GREATER PALM SPRINGS  
• Toll-free: 800.967.3767 
• p: 760.770.9000
• Visitor Center:  
• Monday – Friday  8:00 am to 5:00 pm
• 70100 Highway 111
• Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

© 2024 Visit Greater Palm Springs. All rights reserved.

THE LIVING DESERT ZOO AND GARDENS

The Zoo an animal hospital is first class and the interaction with the animals is educational and fun for all the family. 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 attraction in the Palm Springs area for more than 50 years.

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The Living Desert was laid out in 1970 by a few legal administrators of the Palm Springs Desert Museum who predicted the effect that hotel improvement would have on their neighborhood desert biological system. This prescience prompted an interpretive nature trail and save in Palm Desert. Among the legal administrators was Philip L. Boyd who additionally established the Riverside grounds of the University of California and the Deep Canyon Research Station in Palm Desert. Among his most memorable errands was to enlist an occupant naturalist. This individual ended up being a young lady with energy, knowledge, and desire, as well as experience as an animal handler and park officer, in addition to graduate work in natural life science.

Karen Sausman was President and CEO of The Living Desert for quite some time. The vision that fabricated The Living Desert and the adoration for the desert shared by Phillip Boyd, Karen Sausman, our individuals, volunteers, staff, legal administrators, and companions, will be conveyed forward by our ongoing President/CEO, Allen Monroe.

For more than fifty years, The Living Desert has participated in the significant work of saving, preserving, and deciphering the desert and all its changed plant and creature life. Indeed, even as we invest heavily in our achievements throughout the course of recent years, we stay as devoted as could be expected to the objectives that first motivated us when we initially started tasks in March of 1970.

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Celebrating Buford Crites

We know it is not easy to say goodbye to our friend..

Buford literally was a force FOR nature. One of the good guys with a vision of how the Coachella Valley could sustain itself – Buford helped so many others to open their eyes, minds, and hearts as well.

Please join Friends on Tuesday, January 17th to honor Buford.

9 AM Buford Crites Memorial Hike

11 AM Celebration of Life on Friends’ patio

All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

In lieu of sending flowers, please consider making a donation to Friends of the Desert Mountains in Buford’s honor.

OBITUARY Buford Crites AUGUST 20, 1948 – NOVEMBER 12, 2022

Buford A. Crites passed away peacefully at his beloved Chapel Hill home in Palm Desert, California on Saturday, November 12, 2022. He was born on August 20, 1948 to Buford A. Crites Sr. and Adrean F. Boesch in Owensville, Missouri. “Pigg Hollow” was his first home (pronounced “pig-holler”). He graduated from Owensville High School in 1966 and went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree (double major) in Geology and Communications at Southwest Missouri State Teacher’s College in Springfield. He then obtained a Master’s degree in Communications at Illinois State University. After completing some PhD work in Montana and at the University of Utah, he moved to Palm Desert, California in 1976 to begin teaching speech at College of the Desert. This led to a 30-year career at C.O.D. teaching students the fine points of oration, speech preparation, and debate tactics, a specialty for which Professor Crites was known.

To say the life of this man was remarkable is an understatement. Buford spent his 74 years in service to others and to his community. His countless involvements included being a part of the Palm Desert Planning commission followed by 20 years serving on the Palm Desert City Council, including four terms as Mayor. He oversaw the careful and thoughtful development and expansion of Palm Desert in the early years of the city, and at the same time worked steadfastly to conserve and preserve the surrounding areas for future generations to enjoy. He also helped solidify the sister city relationship between Palm Desert and Gisborne, New Zealand – a partnership that continues to this day.

An avid conservationist, Buford fought for open space and conservation of the beautiful Coachella Valley – the place he called home for almost 50 years. His love and curiosity for natural history and geology made him an essential participant in countless discussions relating to the well-being of the environment. He was a founding board member of both the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy and the Friends of the Desert Mountains organizations. A crowning feat of his tireless efforts was the establishment of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. The monument was officially dedicated on October 24, 2000 by Congresswoman Mary Bono. In addition, over a 10-year period he helped broker the groundbreaking Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan – a visionary plan that will carefully guide development and conservation in our portion of Eastern Riverside County for decades to come.

Buford served on numerous other boards and committees including the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, the Coachella Valley Conservation District, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the Mojave Desert Land Trust, the Living Desert, and the California Rare Fruit Growers Inc. He was an assistant and confidant to three Riverside County Supervisors: Corky Larsen, Roy Wilson and John Benoit. Two California governors, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown, appointed Buford to the Colorado River Regional Water Quality Control Board. He also worked with U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein, Congressman Sonny Bono, Congresswoman Mary Bono, and Congressman Raul Ruiz to further the protection of local natural resources. Buford always wished to own a horse and took great pride in being invited to join the Palm Springs Desert Riders as an honorary member (and he’s got a big fancy belt buckle to prove it).

Buford was a voracious reader and his knowledge went well beyond his years of teaching at College of the Desert . He led countless hikes throughout the Coachella Valley and beyond – sharing with others the natural history of our local plants, animals, and rock formations. Ever the teacher he took pleasure in quizzing other hike participants to see what they remembered! He was also a prankster with an extensive command of the English language. Many a confused recipient of his conversational responses were left questioning the final exchange! After retirement, he renewed his interest in birding and began traveling with friends far and wide in search of rare or unusual species, from Madagascar and South Africa to Cuba, Ecuador, and beyond. His last big trip – a safari to Tanzania – was especially exciting and memorable.

When news of Buford’s passing rippled through the Valley, along with condolences came many stories of his humor and his tireless willingness to help anyone who needed a hand, including the many dogs in his life (his pockets were always lined with dog treats!). This was a man who lived life to the fullest and with a good heart. The beauty of the mountains that surround the Coachella Valley is the legacy he leaves that will live on for many generations. Buford was loved and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his sister, Glenda Jett and his niece, Crystal Ray and her husband Mark, residents of Owensville, Missouri. His stepdaughter Cody Rosenthal and her daughter Caroline reside in Oregon.

To honor Buford’s legacy and keep his vision alive, please consider supporting the group he loved the most: Friends of the Desert Mountains ( desertmountains.org ). A special donation fund has been created in Buford’s name on their website. A memorial celebration (including a hike) is planned for Tuesday, January 17 in Palm Desert. RSVP at desertmountains.org .

Copyright (C) 2022 Friends of the Desert Mountains. All rights reserved.

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Palm springs visitors guide.

The Living Desert

When they named the 1,200-acre zoo and botanical garden The Living Desert they weren’t kidding. Mountain lions, wolves, javelins, bobcats, golden eagles, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, leopards and much more abound here in a natural setting nestled at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains reminding one that the early Indians and pioneers were never alone.

Join us for a fun and fascinating journey into the deserts of the world. Bring your family and friends to discover The Living Desert’s exquisite botanical gardens and the natural wonders of the wild animal kingdom. Get closer!

Hours: Open daily Oct 1 – May 31, 9am-5pm, (last admission 4pm). Closed December 25. Summer hours: Open daily June 1 – Sept 31, 8am – 1:30pm, (last admission 1:pm).

Where You Can Find Us: We are conveniently located in the beautiful cities of Palm Desert and Indian Wells, a short drive from downtown Palm Springs and only minutes from any point in the Coachella Valley. From highway 111, turn south on Portola Avenue, go 1 ½ miles and follow the signs to the main entrance on your left. Plenty of FREE parking.

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