Cacti of Joshua Tree National Park: An Ecology Scavenger Hunt (UCRX, 1 unit)

Embark on a quest to see and identify every species of cactus in Joshua Tree National Park! Part field class, part scavenger hunt, this course covers all 15 species of cactus, including where and how to find them, their adaptations, and identifying them.

• The lecture portion of this class will be held at the Rattlesnake room, in Twentynine Palms and then depart into JTNP.

• The field portion encompasses the Mojave and Colorado Desert ecosystems in Joshua Tree National Park, beginning at the West Entrance and ending near the South Entrance.

• Anyone may attend! No expertise or experience is required.

• Entry to Joshua Tree National Park is included in the cost of enrollment.

• Participants earn 1 unit toward a Desert Ecology & Conservation Certificate (see below).

• No lodging, meals, or equipment are provided.

• Participants caravan in their personal vehicles. Carpooling is recommended.

Activity level: This class is moderate. It requires less than 5 miles of walking with limited elevation gain on somewhat variable terrain and/or more than one hour outdoors in the elements.

Required items for participants: 

• Water, about 2 liters per person

• Food: lunch and snacks that can be easily packed and eaten in the field.

• Close-toed athletic shoes or hiking boots - no sandals

• Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen

• Layers for cooler morning and warmer afternoon

• Daypack to carry food, water, and any other personal items

• Notebook and pencil are great! If you have a field guide you like using please bring it

Participants earn 1 unit toward a Desert Ecology & Conservation Certificate. Eligible Desert Institute classes can be taken for fun or for credit toward a certificate. To earn the certificate, you must complete 12 units of eligible classes within three years. We offer a variety of classes each season! The certificate is available through UCR Extension. You do not need to be a current student in any academic program to earn the certificate. Units do not contribute to any academic degree.

Any other pertinent information: Instructor will provide checklists and teaching material, and DI will provide clipboards and loupes.

Meet your instructor: Melanie Davis lives in Joshua Tree and is a lead field botanist at UC Riverside's Center for Conservation Biology in Palm Desert. She has been working in the California deserts since 2017. Her field research takes her to remote corners of the Colorado, Mojave, and Sonoran deserts to study the effects of climate change and human disturbance on desert ecosystems, as well as the distribution of rare native plants. She is also an artist and has published illustrated field guides to several groups of native desert plants. Melanie holds a bachelor’s degree from The Evergreen State College and is certified as both a Desert Ecologist and Naturalist through College of the Desert. She is also a retired park ranger, an amateur herpetologist, and a graduate of the UCR Palm Desert Master Naturalist and Master Climate Steward programs.

Photo credit: NPS/Carmen Aurrecoechea