PLEASE NOTE: NEW DAY AND TIME! Rescheduled from 8/8/26.
On Saturday, August 22 at 2 p.m., the Hi-Desert Nature Museum invites the public to discover the challenges and successes behind protecting one of the Mojave Desert's most recognizable and consequential residents during a free presentation on desert tortoise conservation in the Morongo Basin and beyond.
Tortoises have lived in the high desert since before the dinosaurs, emerging roughly 260 million years ago. Yet, their populations are shrinking rapidly. This informative lecture, presented by Ron Berger, President of the Desert Tortoise Conservancy, will explore why this is happening, and what is being done right here in California to ensure their populations start growing again. Attendees will learn about the many disruptive ecological factors affecting tortoise survival, from human activity and habitat loss to disease and predation, as well as the ongoing research and conservation efforts that aim to protect and restore this iconic species.
This presentation is free and open to all ages. Registration is not required, but space is limited.