Learning and Impact Annual Report
Photo courtesy Sarah N. Jackson
The Learning and Impact team is on a mission to inspire lifelong learners and ignite a passion for desert conservation.
Department Vision Statements
Learning and Community Engagement
Conservation action is relevant and achievable for all.
ZooTeens
To develop and empower the next generation of zoo and conservation professionals.
Volunteer and Interpretive Programs
We are a community of passionate volunteers that lead and inspire impactful change for conservation.
Sustainability and Behavior Change
Sustainability is a shared, perpetual, and joyful practice that unites and benefits the entire community.
FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF LEARNING AND IMPACT
As The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens’ Vice President of Learning and Impact, I lead a dedicated team of educators. Over the past two years, we’ve revitalized our learning programs after the pandemic hiatus. We’ve focused on building strong community relationships across the Coachella Valley, intentionally shaping our department and programs. Reflecting this, we renamed our department from “Education” to “Learning and Impact” to capture the breadth of our activities and outreach.
Zoo education primarily centers on conservation education, which aims to change behaviors. Psychology shows that awareness isn’t enough to inspire action. At The Living Desert, we adopt an evidencebased approach to teaching, aligning with our goal of being a data-driven non-profit. We treat our learning programs like scientific projects, experimenting with new ideas and evaluating outcomes. This culture of evaluation is embedded in our department strategic plan, and our ZooCamp sessions encompass surveys and evaluation.
We emphasize asset-based learning, promoting positive behaviors, and fostering a sense of community and agency in conservation efforts. One of our goals is to cultivate the next generation of conservation heroes through programs like Women in STEAM career day and the ZooTeen program, which now includes over 80 teens.
Effective programming involves co-creating with communities, meeting them where they are, such as during neighborhood and school outreach events. Our expanded team includes seven bilingual staff members, enhancing our ability to deliver programs in both English and Spanish and increasing accessibility. We’ve also extended the Museums for All program, offering SNAP/EBT cardholders discounted admission and learning program fees at just 10% of the cost.
In an era of ubiquitous information, innovative education focuses on building meaningful connections through storytelling, which research shows enhances retention. Our programs are learnercentered, ensuring participants are actively engaged in handson experiences. Our goal is to share conservation messages effectively and creatively with our Zoo guests.
Zoo learning programs also support lifelong development, from early childhood to adult education. Engaging lifelong learners to inspire desert conservation is another key goal, exemplified by our Me & You at the Zoo preschool program and our Senior Outreach program.
Ultimately, Zoo learning programs offer the unique joy and wonder of wildlife, transforming knowledge from the head to the heart. This will always be central to how we connect people and share stories.
Dr. Anna Young Vice President of Learning and Impact
We emphasize asset-based learning, promoting positive behaviors and fostering a sense of community and agency in conservation efforts.
9
VOLUNTEERS IN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
353+81=434
ADULTS ZOOTEENS ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEER HOURS AREAS OF
47,914 in 34
$38,500 ZOOTEENS RECEIVED A COMBINED
25,899
537
SCHOOL FIELD TRIP PARTICIPANTS
116 ZOOCAMPERS INCLUDING SNAP/EBT ATTENDEES
47
355 SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS
23 23
42 OFF-SITE OUTREACH EVENTS OFF-SITE SENIOR LIFE ENRICHMENT VISITS
16,000
SCHOOLS AWARDED + ATTENDED WITH WONDERFULLY WILD SCHOLARSHIPS SEEDS PLANTED
INSPIRING LIFELONG LEARNING OF DESERT CONSERVATION
ME & YOU AT THE ZOO
Volunteer and Interpretive Programs have taken Me & You at the Zoo to new heights. This program is free with Zoo admission and offers families with early childhood learners a dynamic drop-in session every Tuesday morning during the season (October through April).
After the program, parents often linger on the patio, exchanging contact details to plan future playdates. It’s a communitybuilding extravaganza that goes beyond the bounds of traditional education. Join the group on a Tuesday morning, and you’ll feel the magic as you become part of a vibrant community committed to wildlife, learning, and unforgettable experiences.
Volunteer S.P. Andrade is an exceptional leader of the Me & You at the Zoo program.
S.P. began volunteering at The Living Desert in 2021 and has given over 1,000 hours of service. During that time, her absolute joy and enthusiasm for the Zoo and the guests is evident for all to see. She has worked in a variety of areas, including the Kraal and the Discovery Center, and has been instrumental in the success of Me & You at the Zoo. Her dedication and encouragement are just two of the reasons she was named the 2022 Volunteer of the Year.
“ It’s a great program for locals and visitors, it’s drop in style, so you don’t need to be a member. The program promotes positive social interactions and great interactive learning.”
—Me
& You at the Zoo participant from New York City
During this weekly program, families dive into an interactive, parent-participation experience led by passionate volunteers, many of whom are former educators.
Me & You at the Zoo sessions are expertly crafted to be full of hands-on activities, fostering social interaction, collaboration, emotional learning, and excitement about fascinating animal facts.
New in 2024: Me & You at the Zoo will be offered twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, starting in October.
ABOVE LEFT: At the Desert Hot Springs Senior Center, Community Engagement Coordinator Janice Griswold helps residents create pollinator-friendly plant spray.
ABOVE RIGHT: During this outreach program, seniors embrace the importance of native plants. Through hands-on experiences with blooming and seed-bearing plants, they are encouraged to transform their yards into thriving, wildlife-friendly sanctuaries.
SENIOR LIFE ENRICHMENT
The Living Desert’s Senior Outreach program is redefining the meaning of vibrant, engaging, and educational experiences for our cherished seniors. This program is free to residents, thanks to a generous grant from the Auen Foundation. Volunteers play a pivotal role — bringing a dynamic blend of presentations, personal experiences, and a passion for conservation straight to local senior centers, assisted living programs, and memory care facilities.
Each outreach is an enriching journey where seniors not only enjoy socialization and community involvement but also dive into intellectual stimulation. The outreach events spark curiosity
Thanks to the generous support of Sherrie S. Auen and The Auen Foundation, The Living Desert was able to not only develop, but successfully implement this new educational outreach program to seniors.
with a focus on native flora and fauna, emphasizing conservation — leading to lively conversations with friends and family.
The ripple effects of this program extend beyond the immediate joys. Residents have begun planting native gardens, creating homemade pollinator-friendly plant spray, and embracing water-saving habits. Other longterm benefits include fostering healthy habitats, safe trail usage, a deeper understanding of local ecosystems, and a commitment to conservation stewardship. Seniors are not just participants; they become desert defenders in their own communities and earn a rewarding sense of purpose.
The Senior Center programs are booming, with attendance soaring at each event. To date, The Living Desert has made 42 visits in total to senior centers, assisted living, and memory care facilities, bringing the programming to 1,042 seniors. The hands-on activities, from crafting coyote noise-making deterrents to pollinator-friendly concoctions, have become crowd favorites. Interactions are lively; filled with questions, storytelling, and an abundance of enthusiasm. As we wrap up the grant’s first year and prepare for our second year, we’re eager to expand our reach, collaborating with more senior centers and creating even more unforgettable programs in both English and Spanish.
The hands-on Zoo Families program explores topics like “wildly diverse” animal families of all shapes and sizes.
In a world where time together is precious, Zoo Families encourages a collective journey of discovery.
VIRTUAL SCHOOL FIELD TRIP CURRICULUM
The virtual school field trip curriculum provides students with an opportunity to learn at home or in the classroom at no cost, promoting inclusivity and eliminating financial barriers to environmental education. By providing teachers and students with educational tools and insights, the curriculum empowers them to actively engage with the Zoo’s habitats, ask informed questions, and appreciate the educational messages conveyed. Currently, The Living Desert offers grade-based curriculum for kindergarten through third grade and hopes to expand the curriculum through grade 12! The virtual curriculum aligns with the national science standards, creating a seamless integration between in-school education and their experience at the Zoo — whether completely virtual or used as an add on to enhance learning for on-site visits to The Living Desert.
ZOO FAMILIES
At the heart of The Living Desert’s commitment to making conservation action accessible to all is the Zoo Families program. This initiative transforms family outings into educational adventures, fostering a deep connection between families and desert conservation. This innovative program includes hands-on activities, up-close animal encounters, crafting, tram tours, and admission to the Zoo. The “Planting Memories” themed event invited families to explore the wonderful world of gardens while planting memories together and learning about native plants and pollinators. For the “Wildly Diverse” Zoo Families program, attendees learned about the animal families at the Zoo and that not all families look alike! In a world where time together is precious, Zoo Families encourages a collective journey of discovery. This educational program transcends traditional zoo visits, seamlessly integrating fun with learning. Zoo Families helps to shape a world where conservation is not an abstract concept but a shared journey for families to undertake, ensuring a sustainable legacy for generations to come.
10,000 SEEDS
For two weeks in April 2023, The Living Desert hosted 10,000 Seeds: A Pollinator Plant Party, during which guests were invited to plant seeds to take home along with aftercare instructions to start their own native pollinator gardens. These seeds were also intended to establish pollinator gardens at the Zoo and other community partner locations across the Coachella Valley.
Native pollinator gardens provide essential habitats for local and migrating pollinators, including the endangered western monarch butterfly. Monarch butterfly numbers have been decreasing drastically due largely to the loss of their winter habitats in California and Mexico.
Since the event, five gardens have been established at community partner locations across the Coachella Valley using the plants germinated from 10,000 Seeds. These gardens are currently undergoing the application process to become Certified Wildlife Habitats by the National Wildlife Federation — three having been completed already. Plants have also been offered to schools along the East Valley Pollinator Pathway, which is being established by The Living Desert’s Conservation Department.
The goal was to plant
10,000 seeds over
the
two-week event.
Ultimately, over 16,000 individual seeds were planted across 11 species of native pollinator plants.
TRADING CARDS
Collectible wildlife trading cards have been a fan-favorite at various Zoo events over the past few years, including Earth Day, Howl-O-Ween, and World Desert Day. These educational cards feature conservation status and information about animals and plants at The Living Desert and beyond. For each featured species, a “How You Can Help” section is included to share simple, everyday actions that help people make a positive change.
TOP: Sustainability and Behavior Change Manager Lizze Ferrari helps Zoo guests plant native pollinator seeds. ABOVE: Sand verbena was one of the five featured desertfriendly plants. LEFT: Desert marigold planted at Indio Senior Center pollinator garden.
Bob Keigher
Chuck Baley
Richard Talmy
Patti Griffin
SHARING CONSERVATION MESSAGES
INTERPRETIVE VOLUNTEERS
The Living Desert is fortunate to have a robust volunteer corps that is integral to sharing the Zoo’s stories with guests and helping visitors have the Best Day Ever. Volunteers can be found in almost every department, providing additional hands to assist guests and team members with different tasks. The Zoo’s highly trained volunteers share the wonders of The Living Desert in every interaction, from greeting visitors at the Welcome Center to sharing the conservation messages of the Rhino and Giraffe Savannas. Every day, they facilitate meaningful interactions with the Kraal goat herd and guide guests through the Discovery Center. In addition to the guest-facing side, volunteers assist in a variety of behindthe-scenes locations. On any given day, volunteers can be found assisting the animal care team with maintaining habitats or preparing diets in the nutrition center, helping the development department with various office tasks, working with the gardens team to help beautify the Zoo’s grounds, or assisting the conservation team with care of the desert tortoises or plants in the Desert Plant Conservation Center.
The Learning and Impact team is very proud to have launched The Living Desert Interpreter Program, a training program designed to take volunteers to the next level of knowledge and skills in on-grounds interpretation. The ultimate purpose of this program is to increase the volunteer presence around the Zoo, in areas where guests may not typically engage with anyone, to inspire visitors and create their WOW moment. Volunteers are being taught what it means to interpret The Living Desert stories for guests, and how to share engaging and thoughtful messages. Through a series of in-person and at-home training sessions, volunteers are taking a deeper dive into interpretation, audience engagement, and on-grounds animals, gardens, and plants. The training culminates in the volunteers giving a 3–5-minute interpretive presentation on a Zoo topic of their choosing, encouraging them to do some research into different subjects.
Celebrating
the
Zoo’s Volunteers
Congratulations to the 2023 volunteer honorees:
Volunteer of the Year: Helen Kendall
Rookie of the Year: George Soule
Recognition of Service: Butch Goodwater and M. David Chavarria
20-Year Milestone Award: Ann Schaffner
35-Year Milestone Award: Tobe Strother
FAR LEFT: Volunteer Lynne Rudnick. LEFT: At the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, held on March 6, 2024, Helen Kendall was recognized as Volunteer of the year.
SAVING THE DESERT TORTOISE
Having an audience of over 10,000 students spanning from kindergarten to grade 12 is not just a statistic; it's an opportunity to inspire and educate. This past year, schools from across the county, state, and northwest U.S. eagerly brought their students to The Living Desert for field trips, often traveling long distances. The Learning and Impact department embraced this opportunity to engage with young visitors as they launched the School Explorers program for the 2023-2024 school year. This initiative, offered free to all visiting students, featured an educational presentation in the Zoo’s amphitheater, aimed at providing them with valuable insights to take back to their schools and communities.
During the amphitheater presentations this year, over 10,000 students had the privilege of learning about California's state reptile, the desert tortoise, and how they can contribute to protecting this endangered species living in our own desert ecosystem. Not only did students forge personal connections with these creatures, they also committed to simple yet impactful everyday actions, like picking up trash, to safeguard the species.
After learning about the desert tortoise on a field trip, nine-yearold Leighton was motivated to make a difference. Presenters from the Learning and Impact team shared with students some of the serious threats faced by the
desert tortoise, including climate change, habitat fragmentation, and predators like the raven. Inspired by the School Explorers program, Leighton took action in her community by making and posting signs in her neighborhood to raise awareness about desert tortoise conservation and the importance of proper trash disposal to limit resources for ravens.
Moved by Leighton’s initiative, The Living Desert set up a meeting for Leighton with the Zoo’s Lead Conservation Biologist, Lou Thomas, a leader of the tortoise headstarting program. During the meeting, Lou fondly reminisced about her own childhood visit to the Zoo and how she shared a passion similar to Leighton.
RIGHT: Leighton Swenson with Lead Conservation Biologist Lou Thomas. BELOW: Leighton created signs to share the conservation messaging of the desert tortoise. BOTTOM: A juvenile desert tortoise in the Zoo’s headstart program.
TRAINS RE-IMAGINED
One of the most unique and loved parts of The Living Desert is the Bighorn Railroad. This G-Scale model train display was originally intended to be a temporary installation for the 1998 WildLights event. However, Bighorn Railroad was so loved that the decision was made to make it a permanent display. While the railroad captivates audiences of all ages and pays homage to the railroad system that was instrumental in developing the Coachella Valley, the everevolving layout needed a refresh to reflect the Zoo’s current conservation work and connection with the surrounding communities.
To better align Bighorn Railroad with The Living Desert’s mission, the trains display is undergoing a reimagining. The new layout will showcase the nine cities of the Coachella Valley, all the way to the agriculture areas of Thermal and Mecca, and the Salton Sea. It will also include the high desert cities of Idyllwild, Twentynine Palms, and Joshua Tree. This updated trains display will inform the Zoo’s guests of The Living Desert’s local conservation projects happening
throughout the area. Local businesses will have the opportunity to showcase their company in the new layout by sponsoring a building. This is in addition to the regular Adopts program, where anyone can support the Zoo by adopting a building or billboard. It is the hope that this re-imagining will help local communities see themselves and their neighborhoods in Bighorn Railroad, and to recognize that conservation is not just a global endeavor, but also takes place right here at home. Visitors from other areas will be able to see all that the Coachella Valley has to offer and what The Living Desert is doing to protect local plants and animals.
Construction on the new layout for Bighorn Railroad is underway!
Guests can expect to see new features such as Midcentury Modern Palm Springs homes.
CULTIVATING TOMORROW’S CONSERVATION HEROES
WOMEN IN STEAM
Highlighting women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) fields holds immense significance as it contributes to fostering diversity, innovation, and societal progress. Historically, women have been underrepresented in these fields, and their achievements often overlooked. Shining a spotlight on women in STEAM not only celebrates their accomplishments but also inspires future generations of girls to pursue careers in these disciplines. Diverse perspectives bring about a richer tapestry of ideas and solutions, leading to more comprehensive and innovative outcomes. Additionally, emphasizing women’s contributions in STEAM helps break down stereotypes and challenges gender biases, promoting an inclusive and equitable environment.
To foster the next generation of conservation heroes, The Living Desert hosted its first STEM career day in February 2023. At the event, The Living Desert’s
If/Then® grant display, The STEAM in Me: Sparking STEAM in Young Innovators, was unveiled, showcasing eight posters that highlight women in STEM careers — including The Living Desert’s Head Veterinarian Dr. Andrea Goodnight — and how they are making a difference in the world.
At the STEAM Day event in February 2024, attendance and participation underscored the importance of this initiative. The event featured 22 engaging stations comprised of The Living Desert staff and community partners, creating an immersive learning experience for attendees. These stations, representing a collaboration between various stakeholders, showcased the diversity and depth of expertise within the STEAM fields. A total of 154 passports, available in both Spanish and English, were distributed, encouraging visitors to explore the various engagement stations and learn about the significant
local dreamjob spotlight
use cutting-edge science to help animals thrive.
“ This experience has sparked curiosity, inspired dreams, and empowered our girls to believe in their capabilities.”
—Peter K. Sturgeon, President/Chief Executive Officer of the Ophelia Project
contributions of women in STEAM. Throughout the event, 1,269 individuals visited between 9:00am and 1:00pm, reflecting the community’s keen interest and support.
The impact of the event was evident in the evaluation results. A pre- and post-evaluation was conducted, asking participants to “Draw a Scientist.” The results showed a significant increase (22% to 50%) in “female scientist” depictions. This transformation in participants’ perceptions underscores the power of direct engagement with diverse STEAM role models in reshaping stereotypes and promoting inclusivity in these crucial fields. The event not only celebrated women in STEAM but also contributed to fostering a more balanced and representative vision of scientists in the minds of participants.
ZOOKEEPER ACADEMY
In The Living Desert’s quest to mold future stewards of the environment, the Learning and Impact Department began Zookeeper Academy, an empowering program tailored for the curious minds of teenagers. The dedicated instructors guide teens through an immersive curriculum, delving into the intricacies of desert conservation. Through hands-on experiences and interactive sessions, participants not only witness the challenges faced by wildlife but actively contribute to the solutions.
This transformative program extends beyond conservation education, offering a glimpse into diverse and exciting career paths within zookeeping. Introducing teenagers to the multifaceted world of zoo careers kindles their passion for wildlife preservation and provides insights into professions that go beyond the traditional boundaries of zookeeping.
As these young minds absorb knowledge, they become ready to tackle the challenges of a rapidly evolving world. Zookeeper Academy is not just an educational program; it’s a gateway to a future where teens emerge not only as informed advocates for conservation but also as potential leaders in the field of wildlife protection. Together, this program nurtures a new generation of guardians, ensuring the continued wellbeing of our planet’s precious ecosystems.
Exclusively for students in grades 7-9, Zookeeper Academy is a careerbased, three day program where campers learn all about desert conservation and zoo-related career paths.
ABOVE: ZooTeen Taryn volunteering in the Kraal. BELOW: At this interpretive, hands-on cart, ZooTeens show guests the difference between wolves and coyotes.
“ The knowledge The Living Desert has given me over my time here has helped me immensely with my education AND career plan.”
—Adysin, ZooTeen since 2022
ZOOTEENS
The ZooTeens program gives students ages 14-18 the opportunity to gain valuable life and job readiness skills while volunteering in a fun and collaborative environment. This 4-year program is designed with each year building on the previous year.
YEAR ONE
Foundation and Learning: Introduce ZooTeens to zoology, conservation, guest service, and interpretation.
YEAR TWO
Conservation and Engagement: Dive deeper into conservation issues and actively engage in conservation projects.
YEAR THREE
Leadership Development: Develop leadership skills for careers in conservation, education, and zoo management.
YEAR FOUR
Career Development: Job shadowing, scholarship guidance, and personalized career development.
Whether ZooTeens participate in one year or all four, the program will instill a commitment to conservation and will empower teens to be the next generation of zoo and conservation professionals. The Living Desert currently has over 80 ZooTeens.
ZooTeens class of 2023-2024
INCREASING INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY
OUTREACH TO THE EAST VALLEY
The Living Desert’s focus on outreach has increased over the last year, particularly within the East Valley community. These programs play a crucial role in bridging gaps and increasing accessibility to The Living Desert’s educational offerings. The Learning and Impact team has participated in outreach events, aiming to inform locals about the Zoo’s familyoriented programs and offerings. Recognizing the challenge of transportation accessibility, The Living Desert has collaborated with Desert Recreation Center to host programs led directly by the Learning and Impact staff in the local area. This year, outreach programming has centered on pollinators and gardens, emphasizing the importance of these vital ecosystems. As part of these programs, kids connect with the local environment through activities and exploration.
In partnership with Desert Recreation, The Living Desert’s off grounds ZooCamp programs in Mecca and North Shore focused on plants and pollinators. The kids participated in several activities including crafts, games, and planting. These ZooCamp programs were in collaboration with Desert Recreation and included off-site 3-hour programs and a free field trip to The Living Desert for participants on April 27, 2024.
Hosted at the Mecca Community Center, the Mecca Fall Festival invited families to celebrate the season. Many different organizations took part in this festival to introduce resources and offerings for families across the Coachella Valley. The Learning and Impact team highlighted the importance of pollinators in their booth and featured watercolor painting. The team shared upcoming children and family programs and offers like the SNAP/EBT program.
The Learning and Impact team hosted a booth within the kid zone at the Friends of the Desert Mountains’ Wildflower Festival. Attendees were invited to make native wildflower seed bombs using recycled paper. Guests were also invited to participate in a survey that provided data regarding barriers to planting native.
Learning Engagement Coordinator Viviana Martinez at the Mecca Fall Festival, sharing information about the importance of pollinators.
Native desert bluebells
Monarch butterfly
SPANISH INTERPRETATION
As California’s second most spoken language, Spanish accessibility is crucial. The Learning and Impact Department prioritizes Spanish language inclusion wherever possible throughout the Zoo’s programs and messaging, including Spanish translations for informational flyers, scavenger hunts, event materials, and ZooCamp content. Having fluent Spanishspeaking program leaders in ZooCamp and Me & You at the Zoo allows for an even more inclusive learning environment.
ZOOTEEN SCHOLARSHIP
Each year, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, in partnership with OneFuture Coachella Valley, awards thousands of dollars to support local ZooTeen volunteers pursuing college majors related to conservation. This initiative underscores the Zoo’s commitment to fostering the next generation of conservation professionals. The Living Desert is proud to announce the recipients of its 2024 scholarship for college-bound students: Alyssa Ramirez, Maddox Burr, and Madeleine Scott.
A unique aspect of The Living Desert Scholarship is that students can reapply for funding each year for four years, regardless of whether they continue volunteering at the Zoo or pursue other passions. This year, the organization also continues to support the six students from the 2023 cohort. The nine recipients are set to study biology, environmental science and policy, oceanography/marine biology, and zoology at universities in California and Arizona. The students aspire to careers in environmental law, wildlife fieldwork, veterinary medicine, and conservation education.
WONDERFULLY WILD SCHOLARSHIP
Designed to address the needs of Title 1 schools, Wonderfully Wild Scholarships open the doors of The Living Desert to students who might not otherwise have had the chance to visit.
During the 2023-2024 school year, this initiative yielded remarkable results:
n 47 schools were awarded and attended the Wonderfully Wild Scholarship program.
n 4,334 students and 471 chaperones were able to attend the Zoo.
n Out of these scholarship recipient schools, 20 were from the Coachella Valley, ranging from the East Valley to the West Valley.
Thanks to the generous support of the Berger Foundation, this scholarship removes financial barriers, empowering schools to provide their students with hands-on learning experiences that foster a deeper appreciation for nature and wildlife conservation. The Living Desert is thrilled to share that this exciting scholarship program will return in 2024-2025 thanks to the Richard Brooke Foundation!
ADVENTURES FOR ALL
To broaden access to more guests, The Living Desert has implemented a special, reduced rate for Zoo admission to SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cardholders as part of the Museums for All program, an initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Additionally, thanks to generous donations from The Tappan Family Foundation, Richard Brooke Foundation, Candace and Jon Holzgrafe, and Mayor Karina Quintanilla and the City of Palm Desert, cardholders can also receive a substantial discount for learning programs such as ZooCamp. This initiative stands as a dedicated commitment to dismantling financial barriers that might impede families and individuals from embracing enriching experiences. Since fall 2022, this program has opened its doors to 590 participants, allowing them to immerse themselves in transformative learning programs like Zoo Families, ZooCamp, Mini ZooCamp, and Extended Care.
This commitment to accessibility resonates deeply with The Living Desert’s mission to make learning experiences available to diverse and under-resourced communities.
EVALUATION-BASED DECISION-MAKING
GREEN TEAM
In 2023, the new position of Sustainability and Behavior Change Manager was created – the first official role of its kind at The Living Desert. Under the guidance of this new designation, staff at The Living Desert have ramped up their sustainable action!
In November, the interdepartmental Green Team held its first meeting since taking a hiatus in 2020. Their first project was drafting a Sustainability Plan for the Zoo to set goals and create action plans to reduce resource use, carbon emissions, and waste; and engage Zoo guests in these endeavors.
COMPOSTING FOOD WASTE
Reducing and composting food waste is one of the most impactful actions that individuals, households, and businesses can take in reducing their carbon emissions. As much as 1/3 of global emissions can be attributed to what we eat and how we grow and dispose of it. Because of the high impact and accessibility of this action, the restructuring of on-site communal waste bins was a high priority for the team. In 2023, the Learning and Impact Department led The Living Desert staff in beginning to compost their food waste by placing self-sorting waste bins throughout stafffacing areas in the Zoo. In partnership with the conservation team, the food waste is collected and composted in the on-site biodigester. The high-quality soil amendment produced by the composting process removes carbon from the atmosphere, reduces truck traffic to the landfill, improves the Zoo’s gardens, and ultimately reduces The Living Desert’s carbon footprint. The initiative is planned to expand to more stafffacing buildings in 2024.
Green Team consists of members from every department of the Zoo! Top row, left to right: Amaya Johnson, Olivia Cebreros, Lizze Ferrari, Alan Agresor, Less Acosta. Front row, left to right: Jared Moeller, Jose Marfori, Patrick Mata, Cynthia Buckner, Anthony Ruiz.
LEFT: Shanna Winters composting with an on-site biodigester.
2023-2024 Green Team New Sustainability Accomplishments
Implement digital maps rather than paper, reducing our paper maps by 97,750 and saving close to 10 trees and over 70,000 gallons of water per year.
Engaged staff in carbon-saving behaviors, resulting in over 10 tons of CO2 emissions being prevented.
Diverted 50% of food waste from the landfill at the Zoo’s Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, and composted it on-site instead.
Transitioned the Zoo’s donor tours away from using single-use plastic water bottles by offering recyclable water cartons as an alternative.
Transitioned the Zoo’s food and beverage outlets to selling aluminum water bottles instead of plastic.
DID YOU KNOW: Overall, The Living Desert’s water refill stations have diverted over 330,000 plastic bottles from the landfill!
ZOOCAMP EVALUATION
ZooCamp is not only a fun and memorable time for children from Kindergarten to grade 9, it is also educational; teaching kids how to get involved with helping the environment in a fun and positive way. ZooCamp also provides a great opportunity to use research and evaluation methods to ensure that programming is effective and relevant. For the past three summers, the Learning and Impact team used surveys to assess not only satisfaction, but also what kids are learning and doing in the realm of conservation and sustainability.
ZooCampers were asked questions related to empathy for animals, and whether campers think wild animals would make good pets (they all hear a presentation that wild animals do not make good pets!). Then, connection animals were presented in varying ways to determine if children’s attitudes toward conservation and exotic pet ownership are affected by whether they saw an animal being held, or in a nature cart without any staff touching them. The Living Desert has been using more nature carts to bring connection animals to people, and data from camp will help the team to make evidence-based decisions on the best way to connect people with animals to boost conservation, and not desire to own exotic animals as pets.
Surveys are also used to measure how effectively campers are engaging with conservation actions. Some of these conservation actions are part of what The Living Desert has always messaged about, such as recycling. Some actions are aligned with the Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) initiatives recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), such as putting decals on windows to reduce bird collisions with glass. Results found through pre- and post-surveys of camp show that campers have an increased likelihood of engaging in actions such as planting native plants, taking shorter showers, reducing single-use plastics in favor of reusable items, turning off outdoor lights at night for migrating wildlife, and puttingbird friendly decals on windows.
A nature cart is an adaptive handling tool/device that allows animals the opportunity to have choice and control to freely elicit natural behaviors and respond to their environment during a guest presentation.
MEET THE TEAM
Dr. Anna Young Vice President of Learning and Impact PhD, Animal Behavior
Christina Colacurcio School Field Trip Coordinator BA, Biology, Secondary Education
Hollie Anderson Volunteer Supervisor BS, Early Childhood Education
Lizze Ferrari Sustainability & Behavior Change Manager MS, Gender, Media, & Culture
Scot Hutten Volunteer Support Staff Licensed Vocational Nurse
Florangelica Coyote Community Engagement Coordinator BS, Strategic Communications, Public Relations
Jessika Vazquez Guadarrama Curator of Learning & Community Engagement BS, Environmental Science
Viviana Martinez Learning Engagement Coordinator BS, Environmental Studies
Michelle Monjaraz-Gallardo Learning Engagement Coordinator BS, Education Sciences
Abigail Garcia School Field Trip Staff AA, Business Administration & English
Melissa Diaz Supervisor of Learning & Community Engagement BS, Human Development
Sandy McClung Curator of Volunteer & Interpretive Programs MS, Marine Biology & Coastal Zone Management, CIG
Justin Martinez Trains Supervisor Forensic Science and Law Enforcement certification
Justin Perkins Volunteer Support Staff — Trains BA, Architecture
Zoe Bearse Volunteer Coordinator BA, Media Technology
Glenn Sigmund Volunteer Support Staff MS, Organization Development, MEd, Educational Therapy
