California has officially recognized World Desert Day, marking a significant milestone in the effort to promote awareness and conservation of desert ecosystems. The initiative began with The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens launching the first World Desert Day on January 13, 2024. The aim was to highlight the importance of deserts globally, similar to other environmental observances like World Ocean Day and Global Recycling Day.
The campaign for recognition at local and state levels involved collaboration with Assemblymember Greg Wallis and Senator Ochoa Bogh. This culminated in the California Assembly's unanimous passage of ACR 8 on January 9, 2025. Introduced by Assemblymember Wallis, this resolution designates the second Saturday of January as World Desert Day, supported by an unprecedented 60 co-authors.
Assemblymember Wallis emphasized the significance of this step: “Our deserts are among the most vibrant yet least understood ecosystems,” he said. “This resolution is about celebrating the beauty and importance of our deserts while raising awareness about the challenges they face, such as habitat destruction and climate change.”
Following this legislative success, SCR 5 introduced by Senator Ochoa Bogh was presented to the California State Senate on January 17, where it was ratified as a state-recognized holiday. The establishment of World Desert Day aims to engage more residents and policymakers in prioritizing desert conservation efforts.