Desert Adventures Eco Tours and Events

Morgan "Wind In Her Hair" Levine

Selected as the BEST front line staff in the entire desert by the Palm Springs Desert Resorts Convention & Visitors Authority for 2004, Morgan has lived in the desert for over 25 years. When she's not busy guiding jeep tours for Desert Adventures, Morgan works with numerous environmental groups to protect our cultural and natural resources. During her educational and informative presentations, Morgan will amaze you with her knowledge of the many aspects and nuances of our desert including its history, geology, culture, ethno-botany, animal life, and much more!

Choose from Three Different 1-Hour Programs:

Welcome to the Desert Slideshow

The Palm Springs desert is unique and unlike any other. In this fascinating presentation, you will learn the distinctive characteristics of the Coachella Valley and find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions such as:

What is a desert?
How do plants and animals survive here?
Where does the water come from?
What grows in the desert?
Where is the San Andreas Fault?
What causes earthquakes?

Cahuilla Culture

This mesmerizing presentation describes the history, culture, and ceremonies of the Cahuilla Indians, our local First Nations Tribe. Learn about the houses, tools, bows, arrows, baskets, foods, medicines, beliefs, myths, and lifestyles of the Cahuilla Indians and about their fascinating ceremonies celebrating birth, marriage, death, puberty, and naming their children. This program can also be customized to focus on Cahuilla Women, Cahuilla Men, or the Cahuilla Family.

Rocks, Plants, and Animals

In this enthralling and informative talk you will learn about the geology, plants, and animals of the California desert. Learn the answers to questions such as:

How old are the mountains here and how were they formed?
How were the native plants used medicinally and as food source by the Cahuilla Indians and early settlers?
What kind of agriculture is grown here and how are they cropped?
What animals live in this desert and how have they adapted to survive in the harsh desert environment?

Mitch “Nighthawk” Cazier

Mitch Cazier is an award-winning tour guide for Desert Adventures and winner of Palm Springs Tourism’s 2008 “Best of the Best” Golden Palms Award for Attraction Person of the Year. Mitch’s excitement and enthusiasm for our desert are captivating as he shares his love and passion for our desert paradise.

Mitch’s background includes a myriad of experience in both the business and entertainment worlds. He is a writer, director, actor, producer, and musician. Mitch utilizes his various talents to produce engaging, interactive multimedia presentations which will captivate the audience.

Choose from Five Different 1-Hour Programs:

History of Wind Energy in the Coachella Valley

The windmills dotting the hillsides and desert along the San Gorgonio Pass are a well known site to visitors arriving in the Coachella Valley from the West and they have been featured in numerous movies, including a memorable scene in “Rain Man” with Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. But did you know that there are over 80 different wind farms here and that the San Gorgonio Pass is one of the windiest places on earth? Cool coastal air is forced through the pass and mixes with the hot desert air, making the San Gorgonio Pass one of only three ideal places in California for steady, wind-generated electricity. This informative multimedia presentation traces the history of 5 generations of windmills in the Palm Springs area and how wind farming has grown from being the laughing stock of energy production approaches to it’s current state as an attractive alternative to fossil fuels.

The Cahuilla People

This enthralling multimedia program tells the story of the Cahuilla People through the eyes of the Cahuilla. The story begins with the creation of the World and all things in it by twin brothers Mukat and Temeyawet. As the story continues, the audience will learn what life was like for the early Cahuilla; how they used the plants and materials of the desert for food, medicine, tools, and shelter; their beliefs; myths; culture; and more. The story ends in the modern world with a discussion of how the Cahuilla have become one of the most successful First Nation’s Tribe. Powerful quotes from modern Cahuilla reveal the Cahuilla People’s views regarding the arrival of the White Man to the desert and how that arrival has shaped their lives. Following the 30-45 multimedia presentation, audience members are invited to see and touch a variety of Cahuilla tools, instruments, and weapons and learn about the shaping and construction techniques used to make them.

Coachella Valley Pioneers

Step back in time as you depart on a fascinating journey through our valley’s history. The journey begins thousands of years ago when the Cahuilla Indians lived beside the sparkling waters of the desert’s palm-lined canyons and around its bubbling hot springs. In the late 1700’s Spanish Conquistadors discovered the area as they pushed up into California. Hear fascinating stories about prospectors, outlaws, and other colorful characters that populated the area in the mid to late 1800’s. Learn how the Homestead Act of 1862, the arrival of the Bradshaw Stage Coach in 1872, and the completion of the Southern Pacific rail line between Prescott, Arizona and Los Angeles in 1877 opened the American West for settlement and what life was like for early homesteaders. Learn about the Honorable John Guthrie McCallum, the first permanent white settler in Palm Springs, and how his contributions led to the subsequent development of agriculture in the Coachella Valley. You will also hear stories about Dr. Welwood Murray, who erected the first hotel in Palm Springs in 1886, Mrs. Nellie Coffman, who created the world-famous Desert Inn, and other prominent early Palm Springs residents. World War II brought increased activity to the desert with General George S. Patton, Jr. directing training for what was to be a rehearsal for the invasion of North African deserts. The cessation of the war found Palm Springs returning to its pre-war status and the discovery of the “desert playground” by the Hollywood film colony and tourists from all over the country led to the development of the Palm Springs area into the destination resort Mecca it is today.

Water? In the Desert!? Really??

This informative multi-media presentation discusses the multitude of water sources that flow into the Coachella Valley and how water impacts and shapes the desert landscape and creates our “Desert Paradise” – which is unique from most other deserts of the world. This talk also discusses the Coachella Valley’s “Green” use of water – which has been applauded and studied by experts from all over the world.

It’s Our Fault!

The Palm Springs area is known for the infamous San Andreas Fault that runs the length of the Coachella Basin. In this fascinating multimedia presentation, guests will learn about earthquakes, geology and the San Andreas Fault. This educational seminar also covers the likely physical, social and economic consequences of a major Coachella Valley earthquake (which experts say is long over due) and includes a discussion of the steps people can and should take now to be prepared and protect their family from earthquakes and other natural disasters.