Friends of the Desert Mountains

One of the first modern champions of desert conservation, Randall Henderson, wrote about two deserts. One desert is "grim desolate wasteland", and exists only in the imagination of those who have never seen it for themselves, or who speed by it on the highway. The other desert, the Real Desert, is hidden to "superficial observers".

Friends offers interpretive hikes throughout our desert and surrounding mountains to introduce people to the Real Desert so that we can all appreciate it's beauty, fragility, and complexity. The Interpretive Hikes Volunteer Program offers different roles that you can choose from. Volunteers can participate as hike leaders, assistants or oversee the check-in/ information booth.

There are many different hikes, bird walks and lectures offered throughout the Coachella Valley year around. See the opportunities tab for specific details.