BLM Palm Springs – South Coast Field Office hosts local Scary Desert Creatures event

To help educate the public about California’s native desert animals as well as provide summer safety tips, BLM Palms Springs – South Coast Field Office Interpretative Specialist Tracy Albrecht and Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Manager Dani Ortiz recently hosted the well-attended Scary Desert Creatures event at the Monument’s Visitor Center in Palm Desert. Staff was assisted by BLM California Desert District Public Affairs Intern Julia Mogen, BLM Palm Springs - South Coast Field Office Pathways Intern Jessica Clay and public lands volunteer, Sofi.

The free event empowered roughly 50 youth and adults to learn about living safely and respectfully amongst rattlesnakes, bees, spiders and more. The evening began with a presentation on California’s top ten scariest desert creatures. Attendees were encouraged to drink water and stay cool as the temperatures remained near 100 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the evening.   

As night fell, BLM staff safely guided small groups equipped with blacklights to search for scorpions on the walking path located behind the Visitor Center. While remaining on trails, groups spotted scorpions and tarantulas around holes and near rocks. The fun-filled event was a great reminder to stay spooky and safe.