Deserts & Aridlands | Land Conservation | The Nature Conservancy

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Deserts and Aridlands

Harsh Habitats Teeming with Life

We work around the world to protect the rare species, plants and ecosystems found here.

Deserts and Aridlands

Sunset in Monument Valley, Arizona. © J. R. Schnelzer

Deserts are among the harshest habitats on Earth. And while it may seem to be hospitable to nothing, look a little closer: the desert is teeming with life. The hardiest and most adaptable of species are often found in desert habitats, but even they need protection from threats such as encroaching development and invasive species.

Latest News & Features

Native Grass at Nachusa Grassland Preserve, Franklin Grove, Illinois. © Lloyd DeGrane

Nachusa Grasslands

Nachusa Grasslands is one of the Conservancy's greatest on-going success stories, and it serves as a living model for a variety of land management techniques.
The rare Grevy's Zebra at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in the Laikipia District of Northern Kenya. The Conservancy is partnering with Lewa to help protect the grasslands and savannas of Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. © Ron Geatz/The Nature Conservancy

Northern Kenya Rangelands

In Kenya's northern rangelands, we are using our collaborative approach to support the development of conservation agreements with local communities and landowners - and to save grasslands.
Stephan Halloy in Patagonia, Argentina. © Francisco Bedeschi / The Nature Conservancy

Patagonia

The Conservancy’s conservation work in Argentina today concentrates on the country’s Patagonian grasslands — one of the world’s least protected and most threatened habitats.

Latest Photos

Monument Valley, Arizona © Jay O'Brien

Natural Light

Photo slideshow of deserts around the world.
Calico cactus flowers, San Diego County, California. © Stephen Francis

California Deserts Unveiled

Experience the beauty and wonder of California's deserts.
Bighorn sheep at Anza-Berrego Desert State Park, California. © Steve Bier

Anza-Boreggo Desert State Park

Sand, sheep and so much more!

Latest Videos

Anna Zuparko, helping with a sheep count. © TNC

Dances with Sheep

Travel along with the Conservancy's Anne Zuparko on a bighorn sheep count in the desert.
Ocampo Protected Area, Mexico. © TNC

Ocampo Protected Area in Mexico

Find out why this region in the Chihuahuan Desert is so special.

Read More

Lion in Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa. © Kenneth K. Coe

Close Encounters with Nature

Whether scary or exciting, nature has a way of sneaking up on you. See stories

Arden O’Connor. © Lajla LeBlanc

Nature Matters

Hear some of nature's success stories and see how nature matters to us all. Watch videos

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Mojave Desert Cactus Joel Donalson

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A Variety of Habitats—and Regions

We work in more than 30 countries around the world. Learn more about our work from Africa to Asia