Endangered Dinosaurs: Desert Tortoise Ecology & Conservation

Learn about the endangered desert tortoise, our living dinosaurs! This class covers behavior, adaptations, and the techniques used to monitor and understand them. Take this information into an important habitat to spot the clues used to track tortoises. 

Your enrollment directly supports the Desert Tortoise Tracking Program in Joshua Tree National Park! Learn more about this and other critical programs at tinyurl.com/WhatWeFund2025.

• The lecture portion of this class takes place at Joshua Tree National Park Headquarters in Twentynine Palms.
• The outdoor portion takes place at Lost Horse Road in Joshua Tree National Park.
• Anyone may attend! No expertise or experience is required.
• Entry to Joshua Tree National Park is included in the cost of enrollment.
• No meals or equipment are provided.

This class is leisurely. It requires less than 2 miles of walking with shade, seating, consistent terrain, and little to no elevation gain.

Photo credit: NPS/Cathy Bell