Dessert in the Desert is a new series of hour-long, hands-on introductions to lesser known aspects of our unique Sonoran Desert. This program is being hosted at the Adero Canyon Trailhead so bring a chair, family, friends, your favorite dessert or snack, and join us for an unusual and fun experience. All ages welcome, and everyone must be registered. No pets or alcohol, please.
The desert tortoise is a remarkable survivor of the harsh desert environment. Native to the Sonoran and Mohave deserts they spend up to 95% of their lives in underground burrows to escape the extreme heat. They can live 50 to 80 years and grow up to about 15 inches long.
Despite their tough shells, they are a threatened species, facing challenges from habitat loss, disease, and climate change.When you see a desert tortoise up close, you’re looking at one of the desert’s true survivors, a slow-moving symbol of patience, resilience, and adaptation.
This program is co-hosted with the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, rescues and rehabilitates native wildlife that has been injured, displaced and orphaned. Once rehabilitated, they are returned to the wild. Sanctuary is also provided to animals that cannot be released back to the wild. Visit
www.southwestwildlife.org for more information.