Local organizations's innovative 'Dirt Catalog' now available

Palm Desert, Calif., December 10, 2008 – Desert dirt might sound like a stocking stuffer threat for misbehaving children.   But one Coachella Valley nonprofit organization has found a way to turn giving away dirt into a unique, educational and compelling gift this holiday season.

Friends of the Desert Mountains, the Coachella Valley-based conservation, preservation and education organization dedicated to protecting the Coachella Valley’s mountains and scenic vistas, has published the premiere issue of its Dirt Catalog, a unique presentation of one-of-a-kind gift opportunities designed to raise funds – and friends – for the conservation and land preservation organization.

A lizard named after your child, grandchild, niece or nephew.  A romantic getaway for two in a secluded Santa Rosa mountain cabin.  A home for a family of jackrabbits.   Those items, along with dozens more, are available in the just released catalog.   Additional items – from low- to high-tech, and ranging from under $10 to as much as $100,000 – include:

• Adopt-a-desert acre for a roadrunner or covey of quail
• Guided hikes through the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
• Wildlife spotting scopes and solar panels for the National Monument Visitor Center
• Connecting a student to the nature that surrounds them
• Kids naturalist fun-packs, including educational interactive insect packs

The premiere edition of the Dirt Catalog, funded in part by the Southern California Chapter of the Building Industry Association, is inspired by popular retail catalogs and illustrated by local scientific illustrator and Friends’ board member, Sue Adams. 

“We’re continually looking for uncommon and compelling ways to tell our story, educate the community and connect with new friends,” said Ted Lennon, Board President.  “The Dirt Catalog helps us introduce our mission in a fun, educational and interesting way,” Lennon said.   “It’s our way of redefining traditional stocking stuffer and corporate gift giving this season,” he said.

The Dirt Catalog is a component of Friends of the Desert Mountains’ $3 million in Three Years fundraising campaign, an integrated corporate and individual giving campaign launched last year. 

HOW TO GET THE DIRT CATALOG

What: One or more copies of the Dirt Catalog

How to Get One: Call Friends of the Desert Mountains at 760-568-9918; log-on to www.desertmountains.org, send an email to Friends@desertmountains.org or visit Friends of the Desert Mountains at 45480 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert.

About Friends of the Desert Mountains
Friends of the Desert Mountains is a nonprofit organization formed in 1987 by concerned citizens of the community dedicated to protecting the magnificent mountains, scenic vistas, recreation trails and natural open spaces.   The organization’s mission is to acquire and preserve lands in the Coachella Valley and the surrounding mountains, and to support the education, conservation and research in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.  For more information, log-on to www.desertmountains.org or call 760-568-9918.