Who We Are

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Connect to the Land

Friends of the Desert Mountains connects people to the land through conservation, education, and research. We also are the official non-profit partner of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

Our Vision

The Friends’ vision is a thriving, productive and inclusive community integrated with a healthy and sustainable natural environment throughout the Coachella Valley region.

Our Values

Stewardship

We are dedicated to permanently protecting the critical natural resources in the Coachella Valley.

Collaboration

From our inception, our success relies on important partnerships that include tribal nations, government agencies at all levels as well as other nonprofit groups.

Education

We engage all ages to reveal the wonders of the fragile desert and mountains we call home and instill an environmental awareness that we hope lasts a lifetime.

Inclusion

We strive to connect everyone to the land, so that all residents and visitors feel welcomed, respected, and supported in the outdoors.

Accountability

The key to successfully protecting our natural environment for future generations is to act ethically and honestly in all our work. We are responsible for our actions and understand that the decisions we make today will impact our region’s future.

Diversity

Just as natural systems thrive on diversity, so too does our organization. Diversity is a core principle and overarching goal of the Friends of the Desert Mountains.

“This is how we connect people to the land.”

What we’ve achieved

Conserving the Historic Whitewater Trout Farm

Conserved incredibly rare desert riparian habitat by acquiring the historic Whitewater Trout Farm, thereby facilitating its conversion to an outdoor education center owned and managed by the Wildlands Conservancy. The site also includes a section of the famed Pacific Crest Trail, preserving a link in a chain of recreational opportunities spanning over 2,500 miles.

Increasing Access to Nature with a Balanced Perspective

Preserved sections of the Palms to Pines Scenic Byway, the only paved road through the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, and provides dramatic views for tens of thousands of people whose only exposure to the Monument is by driving this road. These lands have also protected critical habitat in the heart of the range of the endangered peninsular population of bighorn sheep.

Returning Unceded Tribal Lands to Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians

Friends of the Desert Mountains (Friends) with the help of the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy recently returned 417 acres of unceded land to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, a federally recognized Tribe, comprised of 280 acres, which were a donation and 137 acres were purchased by the Tribe from Friends.

The 280-acre parcel being donated was originally purchased by the Friends to protect palm oases and fragile cultural resources near Palm Canyon for conservation purposes. The 137-acre purchased by the Tribe are scattered across the San Jacinto Mountain range above the Indian Canyons within the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation and were acquired by Friends over a period of years.

Preserving Scenic Gateways and Habitat Connectivity

Preserved a unique wildlife movement corridor between two mountain ranges at the west end of the Coachella Valley. This vital connection gives wildlife the ability to move and respond to climate change and other human impacts, and protects the scenic gateway to the Coachella Valley and the extraordinary views of the San Jacinto escarpment.

Protecting Biodiversity in Coachella Valley’s Endemic and Endangered Species

Expanded the Willow Hole and Thousand Palms Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard preserves and protected the essential sand source and sand transport areas that maintain these unique and endangered habitats. The dune and mesquite hummock systems found in the Coachella Valley are home to an array of species found nowhere else on Earth.

Partnering to Protect Public Lands in Perpetuity

Friends’ conservation legacy includes helping conserve and establish both The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument and the Sand to Snow National Monument. Currently we also are part of the coalition calling for the expansion of Joshua Tree National Park and establishing Chuckwalla National Monument.

Our Partners

Our mission is too big and too important to work alone. We partner with government agencies, private businesses, and other nonprofits to accomplish our goals.

Friends of the Desert Mountains is proud to recognize the support and assistance of the following organizations and entities. We work together with these partners and many others to conserve the desert for the benefit of the plants, animals, and people who live here.