Riverside County, California — June 2026 — One of the Coachella Valley’s most important desert wetlands is the focus of a scientific study initiated by the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) after CNLM staff documented declining water levels and recurring drying events at Simone Pond within its Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve.
Because Simone Pond provides important habitat for the federally and state endangered desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius), understanding the cause of these changes became an important conservation priority. To investigate the issue, CNLM partnered with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and secured funding through a Proposition 1 Local Assistance Grant awarded by the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy (CVMC).
A rare desert oasis
The CNLM Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve protects a unique desert wetland ecosystem sustained by groundwater emerging along the Mission Creek Fault. The Preserve provides habitat for numerous native plant and wildlife species and serves as an important refuge for desert pupfish.
Because desert palm oases are sustained by groundwater, even relatively small changes in groundwater conditions can alter the springs, ponds, and wetlands that provide habitat for specialized plants and animals. Understanding how groundwater and surface water interact is therefore essential to conserving these rare ecosystems.
In addition to its ecological significance, Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve is a popular destination for residents and visitors seeking to experience one of the Coachella Valley’s most iconic natural landscapes. Thousands of people visit the Preserve each year to hike its trails, observe wildlife, and experience a native California fan palm oasis.
Desert pupfish are highly adapted to harsh desert environments and can survive in water conditions that would be lethal to most fish species. However, the species has experienced dramatic declines throughout its historic range due to habitat loss, water management activities, and the introduction of non-native species.
CNLM staff regularly monitor the Preserve’s desert pupfish population and habitat conditions. Beginning in 2024, staff documented declining water levels and drying in portions of Simone Pond. Similar conditions were observed again in 2025 and 2026, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of Simone Pond as habitat for the species.