The Friends of the Desert Mountains’ mission is to protect and preserve delicate local ecosystems while recognizing the importance of cultural competency in their efforts.
Beyond land acquisition, the nonprofit works to ensure the sustainable existence, use and enjoyment of the Coachella Valley’s natural and cultural heritage. Over the last 35 years, Friends of the Desert Mountains has protected more than 60,000 acres of land, from the San Gorgonio Pass to the Salton Sea.
So why is cultural competency so crucial in the realm of conservation?
“Our education staff comes from the eastern Coachella Valley, (and we have) an Indigenous community liaison,” said Oscar Ortiz, the director of education. “These staff members are able to relate and understand the environmental issues facing the communities we serve.”
A program in partnership with the Coachella Valley Unified School District and Friends of the Desert Mountains brought together 220 youth for a two-day program—with one day in the classroom, and one day hiking in the desert to talk about environmental stewardship.
“When we are out in the desert, it creates a communal feeling with the youth, who end up learning while having fun,” Ortiz said. “We see them open up and able to ask and think about hard questions in a very different way than they do in the classroom.”
Through these programs, students are introduced to the desert’s delicate balance—its unique flora and fauna, its gorgeous landscapes and the cultural significance of the Indigenous communities. These lessons are more than just facts and figures; Friends of the Desert Mountains is preparing these students to become the future guardians of our planet.
Friends of the Desert Mountains also provided 500 high-quality hiking backpacks for their youth program. The organization equipped the packs with the Friends’ 10 Desert Essentials for hiking. This list includes obvious things like water, a flashlight and a first-aid kit—and less-obvious items like a comb, for pulling cactus spines out of boots.
As the young participants learn about the intricacies of desert ecosystems, their newfound awareness is shared with friends, families and communities. The ripple effect of their education spreads far and wide.
“On our hikes, we stress the importance of staying on trails to preserve the land and protect the hiker,” Ortiz said. “When people leave the trail, they could be stepping on a plant about to grow, or scaring off an animal in its environment.”
The Friends’ lecture program sends experts into the community to talk about, among other topics, water in the Coachella Valley, how it is being used, where it is coming from, and how we can best conserve it. The Friends partner with organizations like Desert Mirage High School’s Green Academy, the Torres Martinez Reservation’s Living Desert Youth Environmental Ambassadors, and Alianza Coachella Valley. The group also holds special events, like its Desert KIDS Fun Fest, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park
“Youth engagement in environmental groups is growing very quickly,” Ortiz said. “Families and communities often rally around their children’s participation, which furthers a sense of shared responsibility for the landscapes and cultural heritage of the region. As they grow, youth can become advocates for environmental and cultural causes.”
By encouraging diversity in youth participation, the organization ensures that many voices are represented in its programs.
“Everyone here loves what they do; we are not just going out on hikes and having fun, but teaching people how to be respectful of the environment,” Ortiz said.
The Desert KIDS Fun Fest will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 13, at Palm Desert Civic Center Park, 43900 San Pablo Ave. Admission is free. For more information, visit desertmountains.org.