Pollinators are getting a chance to bask in the spotlight at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. A recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation has helped the revered site launch a new exhibit called Mission: Pollination.
“We want to be able to tell the story of the role that pollinators play in desert habitats,” said Allen Monroe, the nonprofit organization’s CEO and President. “Pollinators are under the radar.”
Not for long.
The new endeavor, which is thoroughly interactive, invites guests to build a team of “pollinator heroes” and learn how they save the desert. Understanding ways to help those pollinators also factors into the mix.
To that end, visitors can choose “teams,” such as Bloomkeeper, Leafbound, or Shadowcraft. They will be able to locate nature’s heroes as they navigate the zoo, looking for supersized pollinators. A team’s icon will be located on signs. Solving riddles on each sign comes into play, allowing people to learn what makes the pollinators unique.
It’s the mid-2020s, so photo-ops are always a good thing. Snap a photo with each pollinator hero, then venture forth. Later, guests can visit the Pollinator Playground Maze and practice the knowledge learned. Trading cards can be collected.
“I am always excited we have these environments and that there’s always a steady supply of education,” Monroe said of the program.
The recent grant, part of the FitzDell Gifting Fund, is but one of a myriad components that funnel into making The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens remain so unique in the Valley.
Monroe says the organization is engaged in more than 100 active conservation projects at the moment.
“We have projects all around the world,” he added. “About half our time and effort here in Southern California is being done locally. So, we work on special projects that involve such things like the desert tortoise or the pronghorn, or the Mexican wolf with their conservation, and also tell their stories to the general public.”
Two species of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), for instance, are featured in The Living Desert’s educational push. The pronghorn once thrived in the region. By the 1940s they became locally extinct due to habitat loss and hunting.
People may not know that these animals are the second fastest land animal on the planet, able to maintain speeds of 40mph for an hour.
Monroe points out that the peninsular and Sonoran pronghorn have not been a part of Coachella Valley’s desert ecosystem for nearly a century. The Salton Sea separated these two subspecies in the past—the Sonoran on the east side and the peninsular on the west side—but efforts have been made to bring things back into balance.
To that end, The Living Desert has partnered with a coalition of led by Mexico’s Peninsular Pronghorn Recovery Program in an effort to assist with the breeding of the subspecies. The goal is to bring the animals to eastern San Diego County and to establish a population there.
Additionally, The Living Desert is now the lead facilitator and editor for the Peninsular Pronghorn Recovery Plan, which was approved by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Monroe beams with pride over these initiatives and commends all efforts overseeing about 600 other animals in the organization’s care.
Other key programs abound, as well as events and impactful alliances.
Recently, the nonprofit’s involvement with the International Desert Conservation Summit honored 10 “heroes” in the field. The event doled out $180,000 in conservation awards. It also stood out for the vast number of experts from across the globe who gathered to address some of today’s more pressing desert conservation challenges.
Meanwhile, locals and visitors are encouraged to peruse other events at The Living Zoo.
There’s Yoga at the Zoo—never hurts to practice camel pose in a hub that also features camels. Then there’s the Walking Club, which unfolds Tuesday and Thursday mornings. it features a special Zoo member adventure, such as a scenic walk that includes inspiring animal facts and wildlife sightings. It’s also a stellar opportunity to connect with other members.
This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, March, 2026.
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