Dos Palmas Preserve, Protected natural area in Riverside County, California, US.
Dos Palmas Preserve is a protected area of roughly 14,000 acres in the Colorado Desert featuring wetlands, desert habitats, and fan palms. Natural springs and irrigation canals shape the landscape and support diverse plants and animals across the site.
The site grew around ancient springs that have supported life since prehistoric times. It remains an important place for preserving life forms that have existed in this desert region for thousands of years.
The preserve is managed by multiple organizations working together to teach visitors about the desert ecosystem. You can see how different groups collaborate to protect the natural life that depends on these springs and wetlands.
Visitors can book guided tours through the local field office to explore the preserve's natural features. It helps to arrive early in the day and bring plenty of water and sun protection, as the desert setting is very hot and exposed.
The preserve is home to the desert pupfish, a tiny fish that has survived only in a handful of springs in the region. This rare species shows how crucial the natural water sources are for preserving animals found nowhere else on Earth.
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