We at MBCA are big believers in the idea that conservation begins at home. Every year we sponsor a highly-popular landscape tour to encourage locals to consider wildlife- and water-friendly gardens. 

Part of successful desert-wise living is knowing what constitutes desert-wise. These values include landscaping that keeps in mind water and energy conservation, off-the-grid living, native and/or drought-tolerant plantings, and permaculture ideals.

• Some of our favorite native plants are featured in our Plant Spotlight, and on our Plant Spotlight page. 
  
  
• Finding native or drought-tolerant plants can be challenging, but you've got to know where to look. Here is a listing of nurseries sourcing such plants. Note also that the Joshua Basin Water District has a native plant sale in the spring, as does the Mojave Desert Land Trust, in the spring and fall. 
  
  
• One way to learn about desert-wise plants in the landscape throughout the microclimates and elevations of the Morongo Basin is to participate in our Desert-Wise Living Landscaping Tour, usually held in April. Save the Date for the next one: April 24, 2024.  The tours for 2020 and 2021 were virtual due to COVID-19 - click the links to see the videos in the comfort of your own home. In 2022 and 2023 we held hybrid tours of videos and in-person sites. Videos for 2023 will be posted in September 2023.
  
  
• Find landscaping and irrigation plans, plant lists and more on our Resources page. 
  
  
• Tour public demonstration gardens at the Joshua Basin Water District and other locales.
  
  
• Only grow the plants you want and avoid invasive plants.