The Living Desert

What The Living Desert does

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit zoo and botanical garden founded in 1970 and headquartered at 47900 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert, California. The organization operates as a destination attraction serving families, tourists visiting the Coachella Valley and greater Palm Springs area, K-12 school groups, and conservation-minded donors. It maintains 50+ desert gardens across the property featuring 1,200+ plant species and supports 80+ conservation initiatives locally and globally, with keystone programs for desert tortoises, African painted dogs, vaquita, and Peninsular pronghorn.

The core product is general admission (adults $44.95, children $34.95), supplemented by tiered annual memberships ranging from Individual ($119.95) to Wildlife Guardian ($750) and a Desert Guardian Society tiered from Sand Cat ($1,000) to Jaguar ($10,000). Premium add-on experiences include Rhino Encounter ($55-$60), Rats to the Rescue HeroRAT Encounter ($25-$30), Giraffe Feeding ($8-$10), and Private Safari Tours ($59-$109). The technology stack consists of a GPS-enabled mobile application (iOS and Android), live animal webcam streams, Google Maps API integration, and a fully cashless payment system with reverse ATM kiosks; the onsite infrastructure includes the nearly one-acre Australian Adventures exhibit and a 3,300-foot G-scale Bighorn Railroad. Operations are AZA-accredited and the institution is a Certified Autism Center and IUCN member.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: ticket sales, recurring memberships, one-time and recurring donations (including cryptocurrency and vehicle donations), the Crossroads of Conservation Capital Campaign, food and beverage (Bighorn Cafe, Crash Cafe, Thorn Tree Grill), retail operated by third-party Muzemerch, facility and equipment rentals, and educational programs including ZooCamp. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via livingdesert.org, the mobile app, and on-site box office, with supplemental reach through third-party ticketing platforms and travel partnerships. The organization is led by Chief Operating Officer RoxAnna Breitigan and is governed as a public-benefit nonprofit under EIN 95-3385354.

Name

The Living Desert

Legal name

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

Website

https://livingdesert.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit zoo and botanical garden in Palm Desert, California, founded in 1970, operating a desert-focused animal collection, 50+ botanical gardens, and 80+ conservation initiatives. It serves families, tourists, school groups, and conservation donors through admissions, memberships, encounters, and philanthropy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoo and Botanical Garden Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Desert & Dune Nature Experiences (THAJAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Desert & Dune Adventure Tour Operators (Camel treks, sandboarding) (THAAADAG)

Keywords

• Zoo admission tickets
• Wildlife conservation programs
• Animal encounters experiences
• Botanical garden tours
• Desert species education

Headquarters

HQ city

Palm Desert

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: General admission tickets sold to adult and child visitors, with special pricing for military personnel and EBT/SNAP cardholders for community accessibility.
2. Membership Program: Annual and summer memberships offering unlimited daytime admission, discounts on experiences, dining, and retail, plus guest passes. Multiple tiers from Individual ($119.95) to Wildlife Guardian ($750) and Desert Guardian Society ($1,000-$10,000).
3. Donations: One-time and recurring donations, memorial and tribute gifts, cryptocurrency donations, vehicle donations, and planned giving through the Heritage Society.
4. Experiences and Encounters: Paid animal encounters including Rhino Encounter ($55-60/person), Rats to the Rescue Encounter ($25-30/person), Giraffe Feeding ($8-10/feeding), and Private Safari Tours ($59-109/person).
5. Food and Beverage: On-site dining at Bighorn Cafe, Crash Cafe, and Thorn Tree Grill, plus catering for events and weddings.
6. Retail Gift Shop: Appel Gift Shop operated by third-party muzemerch.com, selling zoo memorabilia, souvenirs, and gifts.
7. Capital Campaign Donations: Crossroads of Conservation Capital Campaign supporting park expansion including event center, dining, splash pad, offices, parking, and African lion habitat.
8. Educational Programs: Revenue from Summer ZooCamp, field trips, school programs, and camps with educational promotions for EBT cardholders.
9. Facility Rentals: Private event hosting including weddings, corporate events, and venue rentals.
10. Equipment Rentals: Stroller, wheelchair, and electric scooter rentals for guests with accessibility needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Living Desert operates a 501(c)(3) nonprofit zoo and botanical garden in Palm Desert, California, selling general admission tickets, annual memberships, and add-on animal encounter experiences such as Rhino Encounters, Giraffe Feeding, and Private Safari Tours. The organization complements its visitor offerings with on-site dining, retail, education programs like ZooCamp, and conservation programs supporting 80+ desert species initiatives locally and globally.

Product overview

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit zoo and botanical garden offering a unified visitor experience combining wildlife exhibits, conservation programs, and educational activities. The core product is general zoo admission, supplemented by tiered membership programs (Individual through Desert Guardian Society), and premium add-on experiences including Rhino Encounter, Rats to the Rescue Encounter, Giraffe Feeding, and Private Safari Tours. Additional offerings include the Oasis Splash Pad, mobile app, ZooCamp educational programs, Keeper Connections, Live Animal Cams, dining at Bighorn Cafe, equipment rentals, and adoption/planned giving programs. The zoo maintains conservation initiatives supporting 80+ projects globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zoo Admission Tickets General admission tickets to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens providing access to wildlife exhibits, gardens, and grounds. Priced at $44.95 per adult, $34.95 per child/youth, free for children under 3, with military discounts at $37.95.
• Annual Memberships Tiered annual membership program (Individual $119.95, Dual $179.95, Family $289.95, Family Plus $389.95, Wildlife Protector $500, Wildlife Guardian $750) providing unlimited daytime admission for 12 months, discounts at cafes and gift shop, free guest passes, and FoxPaws magazine subscription.
• Desert Guardian Society Memberships High-tier membership program including Sand Cat ($1,000), Bobcat ($2,500), Mountain Lion ($5,000), and Jaguar ($10,000) levels, offering priority event registration, private tours (including with the President/CEO), donor event invitations, and substantial tax-deductible portions supporting conservation.
• Summer Memberships Seasonal membership product valid June 1 through September 30 at reduced pricing: Individual ($49.95), Dual ($74.95), Family ($124.95), Family Plus ($174.95), offering all standard membership benefits during summer season.
• Rhino Encounter 30-minute up-close encounter with critically endangered black rhinos including feeding routine participation and behind-the-scenes stories from the animal care team. Member $55/person, Non-Member $60/person, plus admission.
• Rats to the Rescue Encounter Interactive 30-minute encounter featuring African giant pouched rats (HeroRATs) trained for conservation work, including live scent-detection demonstration and photo opportunities. Member $25/person, Non-Member $30/person, plus admission.
• Giraffe Feeding Walk-up encounter experience allowing guests to feed giraffes at the habitat, available daily with seasonal hours (8 a.m.-12 p.m. summer, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. winter). Members $8/feeding, Non-Members $10/feeding.
• Private Safari Tour Two-hour guided VIP tour including park admission, giraffe feeding, personal guide, and private shuttle. Minimum 2 guests with seasonal departure times; Member Adult $89-99, Member Child $59-69, Non-Member Adult $109, Non-Member Child $79 depending on weekday/weekend.
• ZooCamp Summer day camp program for children in grades K-10 featuring wildlife adventures, animal encounters, arts and crafts, and STEAM projects, running in three-day sessions from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. with educational promotion discounts for EBT cardholders.
• Animal Adoption Programs Symbolic animal adoption programs allowing supporters to contribute to specific species care and conservation, with adoption packages tied to zoo animals.
• Champions of Conservation Monthly Giving Monthly recurring giving program supporting the zoo's animal care and 80+ conservation initiatives worldwide.
• Crossroads of Conservation Capital Campaign Multi-phase capital improvement campaign supporting park expansion including event center, guest dining, splash pad, office space, parking expansion, and bringing African lion species to the zoo.
• Planned Giving / Heritage Society Estate planning program allowing supporters to include The Living Desert in their will or trust, including Living Legacy Endowment options for gifts of $5,000 or more.
• The Living Desert Mobile App GPS-enabled mobile application for navigating the park, planning visits, scheduling interactive experiences, and receiving real-time updates, available on iOS and Android platforms.
• Oasis Splash Pad Water play area featuring animal-themed fountains and miniature water slide, included with membership or admission. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a recirculatory water system using approximately 4,000 gallons.
• Appel Gift Shop On-site retail gift shop featuring curated zoo memorabilia, souvenirs, and unique gifts, operated by third-party Muzemerch.
• Equipment Rentals Mobility and convenience rentals including single strollers ($8), double strollers ($10), wheelchairs ($15), and electric scooters ($30).
• Zoo for All Program Accessibility program offering reduced admission ($10 adult, $5 child) for SNAP/EBT cardholders and 10% discount on educational programs.
• Nature & Hiking Trails Desert trails featuring Discovery Loop (0.5mi), Adventure Loop (1.5mi with San Andreas Fault views), and Wilderness Loop (5mi with 736ft elevation gain), open October through May.
• Live Animal Webcams Live streaming webcams providing 24/7 remote viewing of animal habitats from the zoo.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving over 12,903 visitor reviews with 4.7 average rating
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• African Painted Dog ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Living Desert has been a dedicated supporter of African Painted Dog Conservation since 2018, helping protect these endangered wild dogs and promoting human-wildlife coexistence through financial support and establishment of new field stations.
• Black Mamba Anti-Poaching UnitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Living Desert works directly with the all-female, unarmed Black Mambas patrol unit protecting Balule Nature Reserve, and their Bush Babies Environmental Education Program, conducting in-the-field research to improve community-based conservation efforts.
• Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Living Desert provides ongoing financial support to CCF's Livestock Guarding Dog Program in Namibia, aiding in protecting cheetahs by placing Anatolian shepherd and Kangal dogs with local farmers to reduce predator conflict.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with SDZWA in the Desert Tortoise Headstarting Program, collaborating to significantly improve survival rates of this iconic desert species through innovative conservation approaches.
• Peninsular Pronghorn Recovery ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking with coalition led by this program in Mexico to breed Peninsular pronghorn subspecies, with goal of establishing populations in eastern San Diego County to restore species extirpated from Southern California in the 1940s.
• Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating partner in desert tortoise headstarting program, contributing to conservation efforts on military land.
• United States Geological Survey (USGS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in desert tortoise headstarting program, providing scientific expertise and data analysis.
• Building Community Conservation Success (BCCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Living Desert's BCCS social science training workshops transform conservation globally. Week-long workshops introduce conservation biologists to community engagement, program efficacy, and best practices for structuring activities for mutual success.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched nation's first Center for Species Survival: Behavior Change in partnership with IUCN SSC, establishing The Living Desert as a leader in conservation behavior change methodology.
• Vaquita SAFE Program (AZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Living Desert is a leader of the Vaquita SAFE program on behalf of AZA, working with fishers in the Upper Gulf to transform fishing practices and protect the world's rarest porpoise from imminent extinction.
• Australian GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Living Desert is honored to be the only U.S. zoo currently caring for a breeding mob of yellow-footed rock wallabies in partnership with the Australian government for species preservation.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAZA-accredited member participating in Species Survival Plans (SSPs) for responsible breeding of endangered species, with several species experts based at The Living Desert.
• American Public Gardens AssociationminorOthersMember of American Public Gardens Association, supporting the museum's botanical garden initiatives and plant conservation efforts.
• Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participant in AZA's SAFE program, contributing to saving species from extinction through coordinated conservation breeding and field programs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: The regional incumbent operating the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. Far larger in scale, but it operates in the same Southern California market and partners with The Living Desert on desert tortoise headstarting, putting it on the same competitive map.

Direct peers

• Desert Botanical Garden: A Phoenix-based botanical institution focused exclusively on desert plants with public gardens and trails. Directly comparable on the 1,200+ species / 50+ garden axis of The Living Desert's operation.
• Phoenix Zoo: AZA-accredited mid-size zoo serving the Phoenix metro from a comparable Southwest desert setting. Operates a similar ticket-plus-membership model with comparable staff scale and conservation programming.
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: AZA-accredited U.S. zoo set on a mountainside with a focus on immersive, view-out habitats. Comparable on staff scale, member-driven revenue mix, and conservation programming.
• Fresno Chaffee Zoo: AZA-accredited California zoo of similar staff size and revenue scale. Comparable on the admissions-plus-membership-plus-education mission mix and on the conservation-program side.
• Oakland Zoo: AZA-accredited California zoo with a strong conservation and education focus and a comparable tiered membership model. Similar in headcount and programmatic breadth.
• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: A desert-focused zoo, botanical garden, and natural history museum in Tucson, AZ. The closest conceptual analogue because it concentrates exclusively on Sonoran Desert flora and fauna in immersive, cageless habitats, mirroring The Living Desert's desert-ecosystem positioning.
• San Francisco Zoo: AZA-accredited California zoo of similar scale with comparable tickets, memberships, and conservation partnerships. Operates in the same statewide donor and visitor markets.
• Santa Barbara Zoo: AZA-accredited mid-size California zoo in a tourist-adjacent coastal market. Directly comparable on scale, mix of memberships/special experiences, and conservation programming.
• Audubon Zoo (Audubon Nature Institute): Mid-size AZA-accredited zoo operating as part of a larger nature institute. Comparable on the combinations of general admission, memberships, education programs, and active conservation partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/TheLivingDesert
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheLivingDesert
• Instagraminstagram.com/thelivingdesert
• TikToktiktok.com/@thelivingdesertzoo
• Xx.com/livingdesert

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Living Desert