The Living Desert hosts Earth Day programs

People are filing in at the entrance of The Living Desert Sunday morning, clutching their new reusable plastic cups. On the the surface it’s a free giveaway by the zoo, but also a lesson in reducing waste.

“Recycle as much as you can,” Maya Hodge, a 5th grader from Desert Hot Springs, said. “If you recycle, it doesn’t go to the landfill and you can make other things with it.”

She’s one of many people visiting The Living Desert for it’s Earth Day programs. Her aunt says it’s a great experience for the kids.

“I think it’s really important that we teach young people to take care of their planet and to be good citizens here,” Heather Hodge said.

The zoo’s program included educational booths and arts and craft such as making reusable grocery bags out of old t-shirts. One visitor believes it was a great idea.

“I love it,” Cindy Cellura of La Quinta, said. “This is an awesome idea. I never thought you know we could do this out of a t-shirt.”

Staff at the living desert were also doing their part to help the environment, by going zero waste for the day. For example, the cafe used biodegradable cups and plates, along with utensils made out of corn starch, all compostable materials.

“We want folks to try to stay away from those one time use plastics as much as possible and really trying to promote that within the park,” Dawn Petrick, Director of Park Services and Guest Relations at The Living Desert, said.

Ultimately for Maya, being environmentally-friendly means she will be able to help animals.

“They deserve to live because they’re just the same as us,” she said. “They have the same rights.”