The Sixth Annual Desert Tortoise Week is scheduled for September 30 to October 4, 2024. But since we can't contain our excitement, some events are kicking off early and staying late!
About Desert Tortoise Week
Desert Tortoise Week is full of activities celebrating one of the desert's most iconic species, the Mojave desert tortoise. Participate in educational and outreach events hosted by multiple government agencies and conservation organizations supporting this charismatic reptile.
The Mojave desert tortoise was listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened in 1990 due to habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, predation and other stressors. The tortoise faces many threats, but you can be part of the species’ successful future by learning about strategic protection and recovery efforts happening in California and Utah.
For questions about Desert Tortoise Week, contact kent_kowalski@fws.gov.
Join the party at an event near you:
Desert Tortoise TableWhat: A gathering of desert tortoise conservation partners will share awareness about the species and their work, and how you can help. Representatives included are from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Desert Tortoise Recovery Office and related field offices, Mojave Desert Land Trust, National Park Service, Native American Land Conservancy, Friends of the Desert Mountains, Transition Habitat Conservancy, and Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. When: September 28, 10 am - 12 pm Where: Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, 47900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260 This event is free for members or with paid park admission. For more information, contact kshaw@livingdesert.org or 215-527-8820. Check us out on social media: www.instagram.com/thelivingdesert |
Desert Tortoise Scavenger HuntWhat: Enjoy a desert tortoise themed scavenger hunt for kids (and adults!) to learn about the species while exploring the zoo. Participants who complete the scavenger hunt receive a desert tortoise or opuntia cactus trading card. When: September 28 - October 6, during zoo hours Where: Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, 47900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260 This event is free for members or with paid park admission. For more information, contact kshaw@livingdesert.org or 215-527-8820. |
Desert Tortoise Paint NightWhat: Paint your own desert tortoise scene with canvas, paints, and brushes provided by the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. Enjoy the scenery and our live ambassador tortoises as perfect models. When: September 30, 5:30 pm - 7 pm Space is limited! RSVP at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084CA5A828A3F5C52-51612535-desert. For more information and location details, contact ammon.teare@washco.utah.gov or 435-301-7435. |
See Baby TortoisesWhat: Come see two hatchling tortoises and learn about the early development of a desert tortoise, threats facing their recovery, and how you can help protect hatchlings when you visit their native habitat. Materials will be available for kids to make their own “tortoise egg” that opens to reveal a hatchling. When: October 1, 8 am - 5 pm Where: Red Cliffs Desert Reserve/Greater Zion visitor center, 111 E. Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah 84770 For more information, contact ammon.teare@washco.utah.gov or 435-301-7435. |
Desert Newcomers' Luncheon & Tortoise PresentationWhat: Join a free presentation by Ron Berger, President of the Desert Tortoise Conservancy, about the iconic desert tortoise and challenges to species conservation. A wildlife biologist from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also host a desert tortoise informational table. Lunch is available for purchase. When: October 1, 11:30 am - 2 pm Where: Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage, CA For more information and club access details, contact: ronb@deserttortoiseconservancy.org or 503-522-6611. |
Desert Tortoise Informational Table & Games!What: Learn about the desert tortoise through digital slideshows, interactive games and questions, and display tortoise shells at our four visitor centers. And visit a foster tortoise, Miss Piggy, onsite at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center! When: October 1 - October 6, 9 am - 4 pm all days Where: Joshua Tree Visitor Center, 6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252 Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center, 6533 Freedom Way, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 Cottonwood Visitor Center, Pinto Basin Rd, Desert Center, CA 92239 (Approximately 7 miles north of Interstate 10, exit 168) Black Rock Nature Center, 9800 Black Rock Canyon Rd, Yucca Valley, CA 92284 For more information, contact: megan_rockwell@nps.gov, jotr_info@nps.gov, or 442-214-4581. Check us out on social media: https://instagram.com/joshuatreenps , https://www.facebook.com/joshuatreenps , https://twitter.com/JoshuaTreeNPS |
Guided Hikes in Tortoise TerritoryWhat: Join one of two guided hikes and learn about life as a desert tortoise as we walk through prime tortoise habitat and hopefully encounter one or two of these incredible reptiles. When: October 2 and October 3, 9 am - 10:30 am both days Group sizes are limited to reduce disturbance to tortoises and other wildlife. RSVP at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084CA5A828A3F5C52-51612883-guided. For more information and location details, contact ammon.teare@washco.utah.gov or 435-301-7435. |
Tortoise Walk & TalkWhat: Join our National Monument Park Ranger for an easy 1-mile loop hike on the Randall Henderson Trail. You will learn many interesting tidbits as you search for tortoises on the trail and learn about the history of a new tortoise population being studied within the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. When: October 4, 8 am - 10 am Where: Randall Henderson Trail, 51-500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA 92260 |
Desert Tortoise PresentationsWhat: Join a presentation on the desert tortoise and how it relates to Joshua Tree National Park. When: October 4 and October 5, 7 pm both nights Where: October 4 - Indian Cove Campground Amphitheater, 7299 Indian Cove Rd, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 October 5 - Jumbo Rocks Campground Amphitheater, 74485 National Park Drive Twentynine Palms, Park, CA 92277 For more information, contact megan_rockwell@nps.gov, jotr_info@nps.gov or 442-214-4581. |
Movie Night Under the StarsWhat: Enjoy an evening outdoors as we kick back and watch the thought-provoking PBS special, "Earth Focus: The Tortoise, the Raven and Us," that highlights our connection to the raven and tortoise conservation challenge. Make sure to BYOBC (Bring Your Own Beach Chair). Space is limited to 50 participants. When: October 4, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Where: On the back patio of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51-500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA 92260 |
Dottie Day!What: Come meet Dottie, our rescued Sonoran Desert Tortoise, and learn more about our state reptile, their habit, and species conservation efforts. When: October 5, 11 am - 2 pm Where: Imperial Valley Desert Museum, 11 Frontage Rd. Ocotillo, CA 92259 For more information, contact Angelina Lutz at 760-358-7016. Check us out on social media: https://www.facebook.com/IVDMuseum/,https://www.instagram.com/ivdmuseum/ |
Tortoise Chat & Story TimeWhat: Come visit our adopted desert tortoise and get answers to your questions about our charming state reptile. We will also be hosting a story time of the bilingual book, "The Tortoise and the Jackrabbit." The first 70 visitors each day receive a free copy of the book to take home in honor of Desert Tortoise Week. When: October 5 and October 6, 8:30 am - 12 pm both days Where: The Desert Tortoise Enclosure at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51-500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA 92260 For more information, visit www.desertmountains.org or call 760-862-9984. |
Mojave Desert Native Plant Workshop & Field TripWhat: The free workshops on October 8 and October 9 include sessions on the context for restoration needs in the Mojave Desert, such as the desert tortoise, new research on desert restoration techniques, and new information on native plant materials development. A field trip around desert tortoise habitat is available on October 10. When: October 8 and October 9, 8 am - 5 pm both days; October 10, 8 am - 12 pm Where: Victor Valley College, 18422 Bear Valley Road Victorville, CA 92395; and possible remote option for the workshops Register by sending an email with your name and affiliation to jlperkins@blm.gov. |
Volunteer Work PartyWhat: Support the Desert Tortoise Research Natural Areaby helping with fence and sign repair; removing trash from habitat on which desert tortoises, Mohave ground squirrels, and other sensitive species depend; maintaining our interpretive trails and kiosk; and enjoying the pristine conservation lands! This event is organized by the Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, Ridgecrest Field Office. When: October 12, 9 am - 3 pm Where: Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area near California City (Kern County), CA. More detailed directions will be provided to registrants. RSVP to DTPC.Preserve.Manager@tortoise-tracks.org or 442-294-4258. Check us out on social media: www.Facebook.com/DTPC.inc, https://www.instagram.com/tortoise_natural_area/ |
Latest Press Releases
