Holiday Closure – Wednesday, December 24, 2025 through Thursday, January 1, 2026
In accordance with the Town of Yucca Valley’s holiday schedule, the Hi-Desert Nature Museum will be closed Wednesday, December 24, 2025 through Thursday, January 1, 2026. The Museum will reopen with normal operating hours on Friday, January 2, 2026. We hope you have a wonderful holiday!
Upcoming Events
Saturday, December 6, 2025
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Stop by the Hi-Desert Nature Museum during the Town’s Holiday Celebration at the Community Center! From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025, museum visitors can decorate their own nature-themed holiday ornament!
This event is free and open to all ages (while supplies last). Registration is not required.
Saturday, December 13, 2025
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Ages 9-14 years old
$15/participant
Illuminate your imagination while exploring the fascinating science behind fluorescence and find out what makes these vibrant colors pop!
This STEAM workshop aims to shine light on the hidden world of color at the edge of human perception through engaging demonstrations using UV light to observe fluorescence in a surprising number of everyday materials.
All materials for the workshop are supplied by the museum; one needs only to bring their curiosity and enthusiasm to experiment.
Registration is required! Click here for more information or to register.
Saturday, January 24, 2026
2:00 p.m.
Insects are some of nature’s most skilled illusionists, blending seamlessly into their surroundings or cleverly imitating other organisms for survival.
This presentation by Scott Heacox explores the fascinating strategies insects use to hide from predators, ambush prey, and even impersonate plants, animals, and other insects. From leaf-like katydids to wasp-mimicking moths, discover how these remarkable adaptations reveal the creativity of evolution and the hidden drama of the natural world.
This lecture is free to the public, and registration is not required.
Saturday, January 31, 2026
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Children ages 7-17 are invited to join Dissertation Soap and Dr. Julie Reints, Ph.D., for a free, interactive STEAM-inspired workshop that blends science and creativity to connect complex scientific concepts with everyday experiences.
A special thank you to Catclaw, the generous sponsor whose donation allows this workshop to be provided free of charge. Space is limited and registration is required. This workshop is likely to fill up quickly, so early registration is highly recommended!
For more information or to register, click here!
Currently On Display
NATURE'S BLUEPRINTS:
BIOMIMICRY IN ART AND DESIGN
On Display November 22, 2025 to March 7, 2026
The exhibition, Nature’s Blueprints: Biomimicry in Art and Design, brings together art and design with environmental science using artifacts, artworks and photography, as well as interactive learning stations.
This exhibition is aimed to encourage discourse among audiences of all backgrounds as our understanding of the natural world can lead to some extraordinary creations that improve lives and reduce our impact on the environment. Nature’s Blueprints: Biomimicry in Art and Design is an adaptation of the High Desert Museum’s Innovation Lab: Design Inspired by Nature, and is produced and toured by ExhibitsUSA, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance.
Click here for more information on Nature’s Blueprints: Biomimicry in Art and Design.
Photo Credits:
*Roger Bruhn, Photograph of Patrick Dougherty’s Three of a Kind, Private Residence in Nebraska, 2013; digital photograph, 10 7/8 x 16 3/8; Courtesy of Karen and Robert Duncan
*Alan Bur Johnson, Progeny Fig. 2, 2011; photographic transparencies and insect pins, 15 x 18 x 3 inches framed; Courtesy of the artist and Lisa Sette Gallery
Our Giant Rock: A Community Touchstone in the Mojave
A digital exhibit and archive about Giant Rock, a 30,000 ton granite boulder located in the Morongo Basin.
This interactive touchscreen exhibit encourages visitors to discover and explore the nuances that make Giant Rock a unique and cherished Morongo Basin landmark. Giant Rock is most notoriously known for the ‘giant’ personalities who lived near and even under it. However, it has also served as an intermediary for certain stories and events. The exhibit provides a series of interpretive narratives explaining these nuances while incorporating some never-before-seen images, documents, publications, and videos which help illustrate Giant Rock’s history.
Our Giant Rock: A Community Touchstone in the Mojave,was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Would you like to make a donation? Museum staff are happy to accept your donation in person or you can click the link below to be taken the Recreation Management portal to complete an online donation. Simply click on the green Museum tab, then Museum Sponsorship, and select your donation level. Your donations help fund children’s education programming, animal caretaking, exhibit maintenance, and so much more! Thank you for your kind donation!
