Conservation experts around the world gather in the Coachella Valley for International Summit

The sold out 2024 International Desert Convention Summit brought out animal lovers and panelists to the Loving Desert Zoo in Palm Desert.

It kicked off on Friday night, and runs through Sunday evening. Panelists like Jeff Corwin, spoke to News Channel Three about the importance of saving endangered species around the globe. Attendees listened as lecturers talked about their conservation organizations and their efforts towards promoting conversation. Speakers came from all over the world, including Mexico, Africa, and Australia.

They also spoke to audience members about how to protect plant and animal life in desert climates everywhere, including in Mongolia.

The Mongolian conservation efforts and Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a new partnership that started about a year ago.

Gana Winguard, founder of the Mongolian Conservation Initiative, has spearheaded the project.

"Climate change is happening in the Mongolian Gobi Desert," Winguard said. "Where we work, we used to have 13 natural springs in the nature reserve, but we only have two now. So without water, the Gobi Desert ecosystem is going to be very difficult. So we're trying to save that land by restoring them."

Winguard will be leading four different trips to Mongolia that you can sign up for. Each is two weeks long, and will focus on various conservation efforts there. A staff member from the Living Desert Zoo will accompany each trip.

Another panelist, Lewyn Maefala, the Project Manger for Bush Babies Environmental Agency Program, says there are ways every day people can make an impact to fight climate change.  

"There's a quote by Dr. Seuss that really resonated with me," Maefala said. "It goes like this'Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, it's not going to get better it is not.' You have to be that someone, you know, if you see papers, and it's littering our environment, pick it up. That's where it starts."

You can find information on all of these conservation groups, and how you can donate to them at https://www.livingdesert.org/support/ways-to-give/