Who’s still looking for wildflowers? It appears they are largely taking the year off due to scarce rainfall. We’ve been spoiled by spectacular blooms in recent years, but flowers are expected to be limited this year.
“We’re not seeing the widespread wildflower bloom—but the desert still has its quiet bursts of beauty,” said the Anza-Borrego Foundation. Small but resilient flowers can be found in remote canyons and sporadic locations, according to the foundation.
Despite the lack of wildflowers, the desert can be magical for those who take the time to discover the hidden beauty that lies beneath the blowing sand. The aforementioned Anza-Borrego Foundation offers an interactive wildflower map with real-time updates on the latest blooms and where they can be found. You can share your findings on the map as well; visit theabf.org/experience-anza-borrego/wildflowers.
There might not be an abundance of wildflowers, but there is a spectacular open-air art exhibition happening now, with 11 site-specific installations across the Coachella Valley. Every two years, spring brings Desert X to the Coachella Valley, with this year being the fifth edition. Desert X is a free, fun-filled experience out in nature that anyone can enjoy. You can spend the entire day driving and hiking around the desert, finding all the unique and amazing art exhibits. This nonprofit organization was founded in California, with the first Desert X taking place here in the Coachella Valley in 2017. The focus is to create and present international contemporary art exhibitions that engage desert environments through site-specific installations by world renowned artists.
The 2025 art installations opened on March 8 and will continue through May 11. As of this writing, I’ve seen four of them:
- “G.H.O.S.T. Ride / (Generative Habitation Operating System Technology)” by Cannupa Hanska Luger. This is a mobile installation; as of this writing, it was a 1.5-mile (one-way) trek through the rugged desert terrain from the unpaved parking lot located off Pierson Boulevard at Foxdale Drive in Desert Hot Springs.
- “Soul Service Station,” a “gas station for your spirit,” by Alison Saar. This installation is located off Pierson Boulevard between North Indian Canyon Drive and Desert Terrace Way in Desert Hot Springs.
- “The act of being together” by Jose Dávila. This installation is located just off Worsley Road between Pierson Boulevard and Painted Hills Road in Desert Hot Springs.
- “The Living Pyramid,” a “monumental sculpture and an environmental intervention,” by Agnes Denes. This installation is located at Sunnylands Center and Gardens in Rancho Mirage.
I plan to see all 11 exhibits. Of the four I’ve seen so far, my favorite is “G.H.O.S.T. Ride / (Generative Habitation Operating System Technology)” by Cannupa Hanska Luger. I love the fact that it’s so remote, and you really do have to take a hike to get to this unique mobile art installation: It’s tucked away in the hills and canyons of Desert Hot Springs, and you cannot see it from the road. It’s a “RAT Rod” (Repurposed Archaic Technology)—specifically, a Volkswagen van with rubber tracks in place of the wheels, and a tipi on top. It emits a vibe from a Mad Max: Fury Road scene, and is a vision from the artist of an adaptive future. It’s camouflaged in reflective vinyl, giving it a mirrored effect as an extension of the landscape. Super cool! It’s definitely worth the trek to see it.
You can get the exhibition map by downloading the Desert X app. You can also get more details on all the exhibits and view the map from the main website: desertx.org.
Earth Day Is April 22
With spring comes Earth Day, every April 22. Earth Day was created in 1970 and is celebrated by 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. It honors the achievements of the modern environmental movement with a variety of activities such as rallies, conferences and community cleanups, with a goal to raise awareness about protecting the Earth’s natural resources for future generations. Take action this Earth Day, and every day in 2025, and stand behind this year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet!” Let’s come together to support renewable energy and clean electricity.
There are countless things you can do to improve the environment. If you are unsure what to do for Earth Day, here is a list of ideas:
- Take a walk or a hike in nature. Whether you’re exploring local parks, hiking on nature trails, bird-watching or visiting a garden, getting out in nature is a perfect way to celebrate Mother Earth.
- Plant a tree (or three). Support biodiversity!
- Scatter wildflower seeds. Support our local ecosystems.
- Volunteer! National Volunteer Week is April 20-26. Improve the environment where you live.
- Join community cleanups. These activities could involve clearing and cleaning public places, as well as the removal of invasive plants.
You can also celebrate Earth Day by visiting a national park. National Park Week is April 19-27 this year. Barring any last-minute changes, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission on Saturday, April 19, to kick off the celebration and encourage everyone to get out and enjoy our national parks.
When you’re out and about, be careful, because it’s snake season! Always be aware of your surroundings, and watch your step; there have been many sightings already.
Remember to stay hydrated! When the sun is out, the desert heats up fast. Always bring more water than you will need—at least one liter per hour on warmer days. It’s beneficial to know the 10 desert hiking essentials and always have them with you when you’re out on the trails. Learn more at the Friends of the Desert Mountains hiking page: www.desertmountains.org/hiking.
