General Info

The Desert Institute is the adult educational program offered by the Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA) in partnership with Joshua Tree National Park.The Desert Institute offers open enrollment field classes in Joshua Tree National Park and surrounding areas (several with the option of college credit), military scholarships, community lectures, and custom-designed programming.The Institute has courses in cultural history, natural science, survival skills, and the arts for adults to explore in-depth the natural wonders of the park with expert instructors and runs six lecture series with various partners in Twentynine Palms, Yucca Valley, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage. There are two class semesters, fall and spring, with courses scheduled on the weekends, ranging from one to three days. Discounts on field classes are available for members of Joshua Tree National Park Association and Partners in Nature Education members.The Desert Institute is the adult educational program offered by the Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA) in partnership with Joshua Tree National Park.The Desert Institute offers open enrollment field classes in Joshua Tree National Park and surrounding areas (several with the option of college credit), military scholarships, community lectures, and custom-designed programming.The Institute has courses in cultural history, natural science, survival skills, and the arts for adults to explore in-depth the natural wonders of the park with expert instructors and runs six lecture series with various partners in Twentynine Palms, Yucca Valley, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage. There are two class semesters, fall and spring, with courses scheduled on the weekends, ranging from one to three days. Discounts on field classes are available for members of Joshua Tree National Park Association and Partners in Nature Education members.