The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens receives diversity award

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert has been honored with the 2026 Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The award recognizes the facility’s senior outreach program, which aims to expand access to conservation education for older adults.

The program partners with memory care facilities, living communities, and senior organizations throughout the Coachella Valley. This initiative is designed to provide educational opportunities to elderly individuals who may face mobility or other challenges when attempting to visit the zoo in person.

Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the AZA, noted that the award recognizes “the best of the best in the global aquarium and zoo community.” Dr. Anna Young, vice president of learning and impact at The Living Desert, stated that the program was built on the principle that conservation education should be accessible to everyone regardless of circumstance.