The Coachella Valley is home to an incredible number of wildlife species. The variation of ecosystems — palm oases, washes, dunes, mountains, and more — create unique havens for a variety of animals. Bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, fringed-toed lizards, desert pupfish, and Coachella round-tailed ground squirrels, and burrowing owls are some of the notable species that call the Coachella Valley home. Add in the migratory birds, bats, and insects who pass through seasonally, and the Coachella Valley is simply bursting with life throughout the year.
Our mission at the Desert Wildlife Center is to help orphaned, injured and sick wildlife. We can reduce the number of patients who need care through our community education program. How we interact with wildlife, create habitats and havens, manage our homes, businesses, and public spaces, and even how we view the human-wildlife connection has a direct impact on wildlife health and well-being. This is where YOU come in.
Become a DWC Guardian of the Wild and help us care for and protect wildlife in our region. Guardians will help cover the cost of treatment for wildlife in need and will support the delivery of free, informative and fun programs throughout the Coachella Valley, providing lectures, film screenings, author talks, behind-the-scenes facility tours, and more for community members of all ages. Your support will enable us to provide learning and discovery opportunities for everyone, helping us to create an informed and engaged community of wildlife advocates. Commercial and residential development, climate change, poisons and pesticides, and, most importantly, lack of understanding about current and potential threats to wildlife, all add up to a rocky road for wildlife. But with your help and support, we can and will make the Coachella Valley a safer and more sustainable region for wildlife. Join us today!
2025–2026 Guardians of the Wild Events
• Desert Wildlife Center Photo Contest (January 31, 2026)
• Desert Wildlife Center Series: Saving Animals with Andy Blue (December 18, 2025 at the Rancho Mirage Library)
• Wild and Scenic Film Festival (March 6 & 7, 2026 at the Rancho Mirage Library)
• Coyote Presentation (March 26, at the Rancho Mirage Library)
• Kids’ Animal Camp Wildlife Days
• Deep Dive Wildlife Workshops and Presentations