Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard (Uma inornata) Image via Wikipedia

Sand Dunes, Palm Oases, Native Palms and an Endemic Lizard

I recently became aware of Coachella Valley Preserve from a comment made by Natural History Wanderings subscriber Judy Keene.  The preserve was developed to help save sand dune areas and includes creosote bush scrub, mesquite hummocks, and  palm oases habitats. The dunes can only be visited with guided groups but you are free to visit the palm oases.  It is the home of the  endemic the Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard (Uma inornata). It is also home to the native California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera).

Coachella Valley Preserve is found just north of interstate 10 in  the town of Thousand Palms: Google Map of Coachella Valley Preserve.  The preserve is an example of federal, state and private efforts working together to preserve a sensitive natural habitat.  It is a preserve system, that includes three separate units, totaling over 20,000 acres. To read the full story of the partner agencies go to Coachella Valley Preserve Management.

Two useful links for visiting the preserve are Flora- Fauna and Trails of the Preserve.  The trail and preserve hours are: October 1 – April 30 7 am – 5 pm; May 1 – September 30 7 am – 6 pm.

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• Hike Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley – Hiking – Trail 2011 – Andreas Canyon Trail (palmspringshotels.wordpress.com)
• Coachella Valley – Origins and History – What to do in Palm Springs (palmspringshotels.wordpress.com)