This Desert Dweller Shares His Love for Animals and His Favorite Spots to Frequent in Palm Springs Locale Magazine February 16, 2021 Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on RedditShare on LinkedInShare on InstagramShare on YouTubeShare on EmailShare on WhatsAppTurns Out, Allen Monroe Has a Propensity for Adventure! Name: Allen Monroe Job Title: President/CEO of The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Resident of: Palm Desert Local Living: 7 years Palm Desert Attractions 3 Reasons I Love Working at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens: -We have a top-notch and educated team. -I love watching little kids have their first encounter feeding giraffes. -After a long day, I have the whole place to myself! Keep Calm and Curry On Palm Desert Attractions While leading a group on a safari adventure through Southeast Asia a few years ago, I fell in love with the cuisine of Thailand. At My Thai, Owner and Chef Sathin Henderson incorporates her family recipes and dials up the spice! Over the last six months, they have adapted for the community, offering takeout and delivery options. See You at Seymour’s Seymour’s is a great place to meet some friends and spend the evening chatting over hand-crafted cocktails. The retro speakeasy vibe makes it easy to imagine a simpler time. Grab a seat on their outdoor patio and watch the sun dip behind the mountains. Off to the Zoo Palm Desert Attractions The Living Desert is a world-class conservation organization and a cultural jewel right here in the Coachella Valley. There is nothing better than an early-morning walk through the gardens, watching the desert animals. The Living Desert also manages 1200-plus acres of wilderness nature reserve behind the zoo, which has several hiking trails with different levels of difficulty. Sugar, Sugar Palm Desert Attractions When I have time for more than lunch at my desk, I like to push my Toyota Supra through its paces on the curves of Hwy 74 and go up the hill to get some of the best barbeque brisket this side of Texas. Jalapeño cornbread and freshly made pies from The Sugarloaf Cafe will twist your arm to give up the keto diet. Dedicated to the Job I have spent my entire career as a conservation biologist working to share my love of animals and the pressures the natural world is under with the public. At The Living Desert, more than 100,000 school-aged kids get to hear that message every year. My hope is that they will grow up and make good decisions about the use of natural resources and protect natural habitats. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens 47900 Portola Ave Palm Desert, CA 92260 760.346.5694 @thelivingdesert Photography Provided By: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens