National parks are among this country’s greatest treasures. Of the 63 congressionally-designated protected areas, Joshua Tree is a unique local gem. Rugged geological formations, a stark desert landscape, and the gnarly, whiskered Seussian (as in Dr. Seuss) Joshua trees themselves host a panoply of wildlife and critters. Desert wildlife – although active during the day – often comes alive at night under the moonlit sky.
Creatures of the Night: Nocturnal Mammals of Joshua Tree National Park was one of many programs at the Desert Institute (DI) at Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA). The outdoor part of this class occurred on Oct. 11 at Black Rock Canyon Campground in Yucca Valley. And the classroom part was held at Black Rock Nature Center’s education room.
Benazir Erdahl – who goes by “Benny” – is the Desert Institute program manager at JTNPA. She says this new class is part of its offerings for the fall season. Families and children enjoyed a presentation on desert animals: what they do, what they eat, where they live, and how they navigate the desert terrain.
The outdoor part of the class included a short hike with provided flashlights. The instructor was Jane (Spider) Fawke, a retired park ranger and amateur herpetologist. (Herpetology is the study of amphibians and reptiles.) The guided outdoor exploration included hands-on activities and a scavenger hunt. It was an exciting event for the children who attended.
The kids marveled at the resilience of many of these creatures who thrive in an inhospitable environment, according to Erdahl. Tortoises, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, bighorn sheep, and a variety of lizards and snakes call Joshua Tree National Park home. Also present are more than 250 bird species, including roadrunners and red-tailed hawks.
Kangaroo rats and scorpions are nocturnal, while tree squirrels and ground squirrels are more active during the day. You’ll likely see many rabbits, as well. The last time I visited the park with my family, my husband regaled our boys with some Bugs Bunny lore about the “Coachella Valley Carrot Festival.” Sometimes, children think everything in the desert is daed. Erdahl says environmental and outdoor education can dispel that belief.
Erdahl grew up in Orange County and now calls the Coachella Valley home. “I love how peaceful it is,” she says. “I’m not a city girl. I had a big loss in my family and moved back here and found solitude and peace.” She says she loves the environment, the people, the culture, and the feel of the desert, and works hard to share her passion with visitors. One of her favorite memories is viewing the bighorn sheep at sunset, which she describes as “a truly magical experience.”
The Joshua Tree National Park Association has supported programming in the park since 1962. As the park’s primary non-profit partner, JTNPA operates four visitor centers and two park stores, offers a robust field institute, and raises funds through memberships and donations. Much of its budget comes from the retail items sold at the visitor centers in the park.
Despite a decrease in visitors from Europe and Canada plus fluctuations in visitor numbers due to the COVID lockdown, budget cuts, and the government shutdown, the number of visitors at Joshua Tree National Park is striking: nearly 3 million in 2024.
Programs offered this fall at the park include:
S’more Science
- Snakes of Joshua Tree National Park: Identification, Adaptations, and Behavior
- Beginner Backcountry Excursion: Prepare, Pack, and Get Out in the Field
- Cacti of Joshua Tree National Park: An Ecology Scavenger Hunt
- Light Painting Photography (part of the Night Sky Festival)
- Scales and Tails: Reptiles of the Mojave Desert
A new program is scheduled for spring 2026; check the park’s website for details. When this story was written, the government shutdown was affecting many national parks. But, Erdahl says the Joshua Tree park was given the green light to move ahead with its programs.
- “People can make a difference by shopping at the visitor centers, visiting the park, or signing up for a Desert Institute class,” Erdahl says. “These actions directly help keep educational programs like ours thriving.”
