Multiple government agencies and conservation organizations throughout the range of the Mojave desert tortoise are partnering to raise awareness and promote recovery of one of the desert’s most iconic species through a series of events starting Oct. 1, 2022.
The Mojave desert tortoise was listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened in 1990 due to habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and predation. The tortoise faces many threats, but you can be part of the species’ recovery by learning more about actions to help them during “Desert Tortoise Week.”
Schedule of events:
Natural History of the Desert Tortoise Lecture
October 1, 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Learn about the life history, conservation challenges, research and local population found within the Coachella Valley region, and see the Visitor Center’s desert tortoise ambassador at his burrow.
Contact: Space is limited. RSVP by September 30th, 760-862-9984
Location: Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51-500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Desert Tortoise Celebration Day Community Event
October 1, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Join a community event to support conservation of the desert tortoise.
Contact: cstrizak@livingdesert.org
Location: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert, CA 92260
Tortoise Chat & Feeding
October 2, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Join a National Monument Park Ranger for early morning feeding of the Visitor Center’s desert tortoise ambassador at his burrow.
Contact: 760-862-9984
Location: Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51-500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA 92260
ROaD’s App Field Trip Training for Identifying Tortoise Sign and Raven Monitoring
October 2, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Join Tortoise Group to learn how to become a citizen scientist and collect data using the ROaD’s App while out hiking or exploring the desert. Visit tortoisegroup.org to find out more about the app.
Contact: sarahmortimer@tortoisegroup.org
Location: Jean and Roach Dry Lake Beds, Sloan, NV (meet at intersection of Knight Ranch Rd. and Las Vegas Blvd., just south of Seven Magic Mountains)
ROaD’s App Data Collection Contest
October 2 - October 7, anytime
Use the Road Warriors (ROaDs) data collection app for Tortoise Group giveaways to the citizen scientist with the most collected observations. Visit tortoisegroup.org to find out more about the app.
Contact: sarahmortimer@tortoisegroup.org
Location: Anywhere in the natural desert tortoise range
Online Presentation, Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
October 3, 11 a.m.
Join an online presentation highlighting efforts of the desert tortoise head start program and talk about the project with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
Contact: livingdesert.org
Tortoise Table at Joshua Tree National Park Cultural Center
October 4, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Join a park ranger at the Tortoise Table for fun, games, and tortoise fun facts.
Contact: david_a_larson@nps.gov, 760-367-5522
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, Cultural Center, 6533 Freedom Way, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Tortoise Evening Program and Ranger Talk
October 6, 7:30 p.m.
Join a park ranger for a 45-minute presentation. Discover tortoise fun facts, learn about threats and conservation efforts, and what can be done to save this iconic species from extinction.
Contact: david_a_larson@nps.gov, 760-367-5522
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, Indian Cove Campground Amphitheater, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Desert Tortoise Meet and Greet and Guided Hike
October 7, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Meet the reserve's ambassador tortoises while strolling through their habitat down an educational path that guides you through their life and ends with a monument to the species.
Contact: https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/snow-canyon or http://www.redcliffsdesertreserve.com
Location: Snow Canyon State Park, Upper Galoot Picnic Area, Snow Canyon Dr., St. George, UT 84770
Check out a Live Desert Tortoise and Learn about Scary Desert Creatures
October 7, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Which desert creatures are the most venomous, strongest and sneakiest? Find out what a public poll determined to be the most feared desert creatures. Learn about their fascinating abilities and take a short walk to see a live tortoise. You are welcome to bring a picnic lunch.
Contact: Register at DesertMountains.org or call 760-862-9984
Location: Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51-500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Fall Native Plant Sale, Mojave Desert Land Trust
October 8, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The Fall Native Plant & Salvage Sale will take place in-person for the first time since 2019! Come check out favorite tortoise-friendly native plants.
Contact: mdlt.org/native-plant-nursery
Location: Mojave Desert Land Trust, 60124 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Native Planting Restoration Project, Nevada Department of Wildlife
October 8, October 15, October 22, and October 29
Multiple events happening each date, 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The Friends of Nevada Wilderness and the Nevada Department of Wildlife are holding a Native Planting Event to establish native plants following a wildfire. To participate, create a volunteer account at https://nevada.volunteers.kalkomey.com.
Contact: For more information, visit https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XAcTiGMHhx4-I9scY0nCbd0WcqN9QJDe
Location: Mormon Mountains, NV
Desert Tortoise Educational Programs and Events, Clark County Nevada
Multiple events happening throughout the week
Desert Conservation Program, Mojave Max, and Springs Preserve have several desert tortoise-focused education events scheduled throughout the week at Springs Preserve.
Contact: springspreserve.org
Location: The Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107
Find more desert tortoise information and events at:
Joshua Tree National Park
Facebook: @JoshuaTreeNPS, Twitter: @JoshuaTreeNPS, Instagram: @joshuatreenps, YouTube: JoshuaTreeNPS
Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Desert Tortoise Council
The council is a non-profit organization comprised of hundreds of professionals and laypersons who share a common concern for desert tortoises in the wild and commitment to advancing the public’s understanding of the species. Trainings offered late October to early November 2022, as well as an annual symposium scheduled for February 2023 in Saint George, UT (with in-person and virtual attendance options).
Friends of the Desert Mountains
The organization preserves land, supports education, conservation and research in the Coachella Valley, and acts as the support organization for the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
Desert Balloon Project
Help cleanup desert tortoise habitat by picking up balloons.
desertballoonproject@gmail.com
Facebook: @desert balloon project
#BagTheBalloons
Wildlands
Wildlands provides wetland mitigation, endangered species conservation banking, habitat management, and ecosystem restoration solutions throughout the West Coast. Check out approved and upcoming desert tortoise habitat mitigation projects at www.wildlandsinc.com.
Be sure tocall ahead for current information and follow CDC safe practices.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information about our work and the people who make it happen, visit https://www.fws.gov or connect with us via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Flickr and Linkedin.
