Nonprofit To Host Star-Gazing Events In Palm Desert Starting Aug. 8

PALM DESERT, CA — Friends of the Desert Mountains, a nonprofit organization, announced it will host star-gazing events featuring nighttime treks near the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument in Palm Desert next month.

The "Star Party at the Monument" and "Night Sky Viewing Stars & Planets" activities will be free, giving participants a chance to glimpse planetary phenomena through telescopes provided by local astronomy volunteers.

The star-gazing events will take place Aug. 8, 15 and 22. Additional events are planned in September.

People of all ages are able to take part in the events, but minors must be accompanied by an adult. Bottled water and closed-toed shoes are highly recommended for all attendees, organizers said.

While the activities are free, reservations are required to keep the groups small, and the nonprofit welcomes donations of any size.

According to Friends of the Desert Mountains' website, the nonprofit strives to elevate community appreciation of the 63,000 acres of protected habitat which people can visit for trekking adventures, experiencing desert blooms, wildlife watching — and star-gazing.

Since 1987, Friends of the Desert Mountains has formed partnerships with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, SoCal Edison, Coachella Valley Conservation Commission and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to accomplish its goals of preserving area land and protecting its wildlife.

The organization said that, along with 63,000 acres of critical habitat, it has protected about 30 unique plants and animals, establishing over 300 miles of trails, which are often wheelchair-accessible because they feature asphalt surfaces.

More information about the star-gazing events can be found at desertmountains.org

City News Service contributed to this report.