Native Habitat Program

Help bring the Mojave back into everyday urban life

About the Native Habitat Program

The Native Habitat Program began in September 2016 as a community-led effort to restore underutilized urban spaces using Mojave Desert native plants. Since its launch, the Native Habitat Program continues to reintroduce climate-appropriate native plants into urban environments, creating resilient landscapes that support pollinators and wildlife while providing educational, community-centered spaces for people to connect with the Mojave Desert.

“The Native Habitat Program is a community-led effort to bring the Mojave back to the Mojave—right in our neighborhoods.”

~Cheresa Taing, Founder of the Native Habitat Program

Public Native Habitat Areas in Las Vegas

Interact with the pulsing icons on the map to find out more information on each public native habitat area,

City of North Las Vegas

1. Craig Ranch Regional Park
2. Bruce and Owens
3. Aliante Nature Discovery Park
4. Aliante Parkway Kiosk Area

City of Las Vegas

5. Centennial Hills Park (Ward 6)
6. Bearden Park (Ward 1)
7. Jaycee Community Park (Ward 3)
8. Wayne Bunker Park (Ward 4)
9. Lorenzi Park (Ward 5)
10. All American Park (Ward 2)

Asset 4@3x 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Ways to Get Involved

Get Outdoors Nevada relies on volunteers to maintain and care for native habitats in Nevada. By volunteering, you can make a meaningful impact on preserving outdoor spaces and enhancing the quality of life in southern Nevada.

Volunteer With Us

Help us maintain and care for native habitats by signing up for a volunteer event!

Adopt a Native Habitat

The Adopt a Native Habitat program invites community members to steward one of our public-facing native habitat sites. Adopters commit to helping care for a living ecosystem over time through seasonal maintenance, observation, and advocacy for native landscapes.

  • Community groups and nonprofits
  • Schools and youth organizations
  • Businesses and employee volunteer teams
  • Neighbors interested in long-term stewardship

  • One-year minimum commitment
  • Attendance at a required orientation

Why native habitat matters

Native habitats support local wildlife, strengthen ecosystems, and conserve water. Because native plants are adapted to local conditions, they improve soil health, support pollinators, and require fewer resources to maintain, benefiting both nature and communities. See the facts below.

  • Restores urban spaces using plants adapted to the Mojave Desert

  • Supports pollinators, birds, and other wildlife

  • Uses irrigation strategically during establishment, with little to no irrigation needed once plants are established, conserving water over time

  • Helps reduce urban heat through climate-appropriate landscaping

  • Creates educational, community-centered spaces that connect people to place

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Native Habitat Sites

9 public park sites – others at schools and partner locations

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Native plants installed

Installations only – not including maintenance

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Sq. Ft. Native Habitat Restored

What We Do

We advance native habitat restoration in the Mojave Desert through seasonal maintenance events, school-based projects, local seed collection, community education, and teacher training that support pollinators, environmental learning, and long-term site resilience.

Seasonal Habitat Maintenance Events

Community volunteer days in fall, winter, and spring focused on weeding, pruning, seed collection, and site care

School-based Habitat Projects

Collaborative projects with schools that may include native gardens, desert tortoise habitat builds, and outdoor learning spaces that support science education.

Native Seed Project

A seed collection and redistribution effort that strengthens local restoration work using locally sourced Mojave Desert seeds

Summer Seed Workshops

Educational workshops that explore pollinators, native plants, ethnobotany, and desert ecology, paired with hands-on training in native seed cleaning.

Teacher Training & Curriculum Resources

Professional development session for educators paired with a Native Habitat curriculum booklet. Trainings focus on Mojave Desert ecology and guide teachers in using multidisciplinary, place-based activities that integrate science, math, language arts, and the arts in both classroom and outdoor settings.