Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee-Desert Tortoise Natural Area (DTNA)

EE Program/Resource Details

Provided by:   Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee    

Description:  The Desert Tortoise Natural Area (DTNA) is 39-1/2 square miles of natural habitat for desert tortoise (the official California state reptile)which has an interpretive center at the trailhead for the self-guiding trails.The locale of the Desert Tortoise Natural Area usually receives somewhat higher annual rainfall than surrounding areas, resulting in richer and more varied vegetation. In turn, this rich vegetation supports a great variety of desert wildlife species. In addition to the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), the DTNA is home to 27 other species of reptiles, 29 species of breeding birds, 23 species of mammals and many species of arthropods. Since 1974, the Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee has conducted guided tours of the DTNA for schools, museums, and other groups each spring, after the tortoises emerge from hibernation

Web Address:  http://www.tortoise-tracks.org/

Program/Resource Type:  Animals, Exhibit/Display, Field Trip, Publication, Resource Person/Consultant, Website/On-line Service

Audience Served:  Pre-K, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Teachers, Nonformal Educators, General Public

EE Focus:  Air, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Ecosystems-General, Ecosystems-Desert, Endangered Species, Environmental Health, Environmental Sciences, Land Use, Monitoring, Natural Resources/Res. Mgmt., Nature Awareness, Plants & Animals, Stewardship, Sustainable Development, Water, Restoration

Academic Focus:  History/Social Sciences, Science

Counties Served:  Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Fresno, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Mono, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura

Dates Available:  Best Mid-March - Mid-June