
| Coachella Valley Preserve |
| world, this lizard is a member of a rich array of organisms specialized to live on sand dunes. Desert sand dunes harbor one of the most species rich communities found in our southwestern deserts. there is fewer than 5% of that habitat remaining in viable condition. Over the years, the lure of mild winter temperatures and beautiful scenery has resulted in an explosion of human development. As canyons filled with houses, development pushed into the valley's center, blocking the vital sand movement processes the keep the dunes alive. Today the majority of the remaining, viable dune habitat is contained in the Coachella Valley Preserve system. |