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Palm Desert proclaims Pollinator Week, highlights Wildflower Festival turnout and Civic Academy graduates
Summary
The Palm Desert City Council proclaimed Pollinator Week (June 16–22, 2025), received a Wildflower Festival report from Friends of the Desert Mountains noting roughly 2,500 attendees and plans to expand the pollinator garden, and recognized 24 Civic Academy graduates.
Mayor Harnick and the City Council proclaimed June 16–22, 2025, as Pollinator Week in Palm Desert and heard a report from Friends of the Desert Mountains on the March Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival during the May 8 joint meeting.
The proclamation referenced steep declines in monarch and other pollinator populations and noted the city’s participation in the mayor’s monarch pledge through the National Wildlife Federation. Staff encouraged residents to visit the pollinator garden at Civic Center Park and said signs with a QR code explain native planting and maintenance.
Tammy Martin, executive director of Friends of the Desert Mountains, reported the festival drew about 2,500 attendees, with roughly 10 vendors, about 30 exhibitors, eight food trucks and an expanded kids zone. The group added a pollinator garden this year with landscaping assistance from Leon’s Landscaping, distributed a native-planting guide funded by a grant, and plans to expand the garden next year. Martin said the organization will discontinue its beer-and-wine garden because participation did not justify the cost.
“...we had approximately 2,500 attendees at the festival. We had approximately 10 vendors with about 30 exhibitors and new this year at the festival was our pollinator garden,” Martin said.
The council also recognized Civic Academy graduates. Bridal Penta, the city’s community relations supervisor, said the most recent Civic Academy cohort included 24 graduates who completed a five-week program with staff tours and presentations. Penta promoted the autumn 2025 cycle and noted the program is open to nonresidents. “The Civic Academy introduces you to all things Palm Desert does… from Art to Zoning,” Penta said.
Friends of the Desert Mountains said the festival is in its 18th year, featured youth art with more than 1,000 submissions, and depends on about 100 volunteers. Organizers said next year’s 5K run route may move to the Palm Desert Trails behind Target to increase participation.
The city invited residents to visit the pollinator garden at Civic Center Park and to apply online for the Civic Academy at www.palmdesert.gov/civicacademy.
