by Stacy Wiedmaier, The Desert Sun; February 17, 2008
More than 1,000 residents were guided Saturday on nature walks, viewed desert landscaping workshops and learned nature photography at the Friends of the Desert Mountains Organization annual Wildflower Celebration in Palm Desert. Advertisement
Organizers said they were inundated with a larger crowd than expected.
“We had an insane blockbuster turnout,” said Scott Segal, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument program director. “This is the initial celebration of the upcoming wildflower season.”
According to Sue Adams, Friends Organization board member, the valley’s peak wildflower season is a short one, lasting from late February to early March. She said it’s amazing such a variety of flowers grow in what most consider a desolate area.
Area organizations also provided education, including officials from Joshua Tree National Park, California Native Plant Society and the Desert Horticultural Society.
Colleen Hacquebord, of Palm Desert, said she brought family visiting from Culver City to the event, calling it an educational family-friendly activity she will return to next year.
Volunteers manned the free activities, including live animals from The Living Desert, appearances by Smoky the Bear, watercolor artistry and tips on growing native plants in your backyard.
“I wasn’t getting up on this mountain enough, so I decided to volunteer,” said John Warden of Palm Desert, who leads the groups Thursday morning hikes. “Working with kids is the best part, teaching them how the environment is interconnected and we can preserve it.”
The Friends of the Desert Mountains supports the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument by purchasing land for conservation and educational programs. Since 1987, they have preserved 33,000 acres of open land in the valley.
“We’re working to create an outdoor community who actively supports this monument,” said Segal. “We need to preserve our national treasures. True sustainability doesn’t come from building more golf courses.”
