New Demonstration Garden To Be Dedicated In Rancho Mirage

The following is a news release from Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert:

RANCHO MIRAGE, CA — A new garden featuring native plants and wildlife habitat will be dedicated on Sunday, Jan. 7, in Rancho Mirage on the grounds of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert.

The Desert Canyon Habitat is a 7,500-square-foot demonstration garden that is intended to inspire others to protect the desert environment. The garden, which includes 25 tons of boulders and more than 100 native plants, has been certified as a Sacred Ground by the National Wildlife Federation.

The event will begin as a regular service at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7, in the church sanctuary and then participants will walk the short distance to the garden for additional speakers.

An exhibitors' fair on the church labyrinth will offer desert plants for sale and information about how individuals can preserve and protect our desert habitats.

The dedication will feature several notable speakers, including Dr. Cameron Barrows of UCR Center for Conservation Biology, Lisha Astorga of Desert Strawhouse, Elizabeth Ogren Erickson of the Community Science Collaborative, and Rev. Barbara Fast.

The garden is already benefitting local wildlife, according to Rod Belshee, a member of the Sacred Grounds team that created the garden.

“Shortly after construction began, the number of lizard species doubled,” he said. “As the plants grow pollinators and birds will flourish. This habitat garden is the first of five on the grounds that will recreate native habitats, such as dry wash or creosote scrub, over the next year or two.”

All are welcome to attend this special event.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert in Rancho Mirage, located at 72425 Via Vale, is a sanctuary for diversity, spiritual growth and social justice. Additional information about the church and about upcoming services and events is available at uucod.org