Upcoming Events
August Volunteer Day
Join us for another Desert Love Native Plants Volunteer Morning! Help us prepare for the upcoming fall planting season by cleaning native seeds and transplanting native plants. Whether you're a returning volunteer or joining us for the first time, we'd love to have you.
No experience is necessary. We'll provide guidance and all the tools you need. This is a great opportunity to learn about Southern Nevada's native plants, connect with others who care about our desert, and make a meaningful impact on local restoration efforts.
Every seed you help clean and every plant you transplant supports future habitat restoration projects throughout our community.
Come spend a couple of hours making a difference while enjoying a fun and rewarding morning with fellow volunteers.
Date: Saturday, August 22
Time: 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Questions? Contact Frank at frank.m@desertlovelv.org for more information.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Climate Talks: When to Water
When to Water
One of the most important things you can do for your garden is to irrigate at the optimum time. New research reveals the exact window of time to water your plants that cuts plant stress and saves water.
Climate Talks: What Is A Native Plant
What Is a Native Plant?
Not all “desert plants” are created equal. Understanding the difference between true natives, desert-adapted species, and genetically-appropriate cultivars changes how you should plan your landscape.
Climate Talks: Building A Microclimate
Building a Microclimate
Your yard doesn’t have to match the weather report. With the right combination of shade, water, mass, and air movement, you can create conditions several degrees cooler than the surrounding neighborhood and more advantageous for your plants. This takes the saying “right plant in the right place” to a whole new level.
Climate Talks: What Should You Plant for 2030–2050?
What Should You Plant for 2030–2050?
The Las Vegas Native Species Climate Matrix was designed and researched by an environmental engineer to evaluate the plant species that have historically been recommended for the Las Vegas Valley and evaluate their suitability now and in the foreseeable future. It rates 276 landscape species on five climate resilience factors: heat tolerance, drought resilience, warm-night tolerance, UV tolerance and establishment success. Walk out of this lecture with a plant list you can take to the nursery.
Climate Talks: Native Plants In Captivity
Native Plants In Captivity
You decide you want to incorporate more native plants into your landscape. This is an admirable goal but can be fraught with a number of obstacles.
Climate Talks: Smart Ways To Cool Vegas
Smart Ways To Cool Vegas
Engineering solutions are already bending the temperature curve back. Real numbers will be provided on what’s working and how our actions can impact the Las Vegas Valley airshed.
Bats At Dusk: A Nevada Bat Viewing Experience
🦇 BATS AT DUSK 🌵
Join Desert Love LV and the Nevada Department of Wildlife for an evening exploring the fascinating world of bats!
The evening will begin with a presentation about Nevada’s native bat species, their unique adaptations, and the important role they play in our desert ecosystems.
As dusk settles, we’ll head outside for a guided bat viewing experience where we’ll look and listen for bats as they head out to feed. Using bat detectors, we’ll tune into echolocation calls, identify local species, and observe these incredible nocturnal animals in action.
✨ Free Event
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
Presented by Desert Love LV + Nevada Department of Wildlife
Climate Talks: Las Vegas Valley Geology and Soil Types
Las Vegas Valley Geology & Soil Types
Understanding the ground beneath your garden changes everything about how you should plant, water, and build soil. Las Vegas soils are not what most plants expect.
July Volunteer Day
Join us for another Desert Love Native Plants Volunteer Morning! Help us prepare for the upcoming fall planting season by cleaning native seeds and transplanting native plants. Whether you're a returning volunteer or joining us for the first time, we'd love to have you.
No experience is necessary. We'll provide guidance and all the tools you need. This is a great opportunity to learn about Southern Nevada's native plants, connect with others who care about our desert, and make a meaningful impact on local restoration efforts.
Every seed you help clean and every plant you transplant supports future habitat restoration projects throughout our community.
Come spend a couple of hours making a difference while enjoying a fun and rewarding morning with fellow volunteers.
Date: Saturday, July 18
Time: 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Questions? Contact Frank at frank.m@desertlovelv.org for more information.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Bats at Dusk: A Nevada Bat Viewing Experience .
Join Desert Love LV and the Nevada Department of Wildlife for an evening exploring the fascinating world of bats!
The evening will begin with a presentation about Nevada’s native bat species, their unique adaptations, and the important role they play in our desert ecosystems.
As dusk settles, we’ll head outside for a guided bat viewing experience where we’ll look and listen for bats as they head out to feed. Using bat detectors, we’ll tune into echolocation calls, identify local species, and observe these incredible nocturnal animals in action.
Climate Talks: Why "Full Sun" Plants Die in Las Vegas
Las Vegas UV Index reaches 10–12 in summer—among the highest in the United States. This UV radiation can damage and kill many plants. A dense tree or bush can reduce UV exposure by 90%. Strategic shade placement can save your garden.
Bats at Dusk: A Nevada Bat Viewing Experience.
🦇 BATS AT DUSK 🌵
Join Desert Love LV and the Nevada Department of Wildlife for an evening exploring the fascinating world of bats!
The evening will begin with a presentation about Nevada’s native bat species, their unique adaptations, and the important role they play in our desert ecosystems.
As dusk settles, we’ll head outside for a guided bat viewing experience where we’ll look and listen for bats as they head out to feed. Using bat detectors, we’ll tune into echolocation calls, identify local species, and observe these incredible nocturnal animals in action.
✨ Free Event
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
Presented by Desert Love LV + Nevada Department of Wildlife
Free monthly talks on climate, gardening, and desert living with Dr. Robert & Gail Brandys at Cactus Joe’s, May–January.
Climate Talks
A Free Monthly Lecture Series by Desert Love Native Plants
MAY LECTURE TOPIC
Climate Change in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has experienced one of the highest average daily temperature increases of any city in the United States in recent decades, surpassed only by Reno. Average nighttime temperatures have risen nearly 8°F since the 1950s, and even more when looking at the full historical record. This has fundamentally changed the ecology of the valley.
The urban heat island created by modern development complicates this even further.
Understand what is happening, why it is happening, and what you can do to adapt and help mitigate future risk.
EVENT DETAILS
📍 Cactus Joe’s Nursery • Las Vegas, Nevada
📅 Friday, May 30, 2026
🕙 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
🌿 Free Admission
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!
ABOUT THE SERIES
Join Desert Love Native Plants for Climate Talks, a free monthly lecture series exploring gardening, climate science, native plants, and the future of desert living in Southern Nevada.
Presented by Dr. Robert C. Brandys and Gail M. Brandys, Master Gardener, this engaging community series blends practical gardening advice with climate and geology research, all focused specifically on the Las Vegas Valley. Topics include climate change, native plants, urban heat, irrigation timing, desert soils, sustainable landscaping, and creating resilient gardens for the future.
Whether you are a gardener, plant enthusiast, homeowner, environmental advocate, or simply curious about how our changing climate is impacting life in Las Vegas, these talks are designed to be informative, approachable, and locally relevant.
Each Climate Talk is a stand alone presentation, and attendees are welcome to join any session throughout the series.
UPCOMING MONTHLY TOPICS
June 27
Why “Full Sun” Plants Die in Las Vegas
July 18
Las Vegas Valley Geology & Soil Types
August 22
When to Water
September 12
What Is a Native Plant?
October 24
Building a Microclimate
November 21
What Should You Plant for 2030–2050?
December 19
Native Plants in Captivity
January 30
Heat Pumps, EVs, and Cooling the Valley
Native Plant Sale at Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve
Learn about which native plants make the best bird habitat so that you can draw birds to your backyard and support them in the process! Red Rock Audubon Society and Desert Love team up for this don’t-wanna-miss-it event!
Full Moon Fundraiser
Join Desert Love, Boosted Breath, and Harmonizing Energy for a full moon fundraising event featuring a sound bath, guided breathwork, and an intention planting ceremony to support native plant initiatives.
Springs Preserve Spring Plant Sale
Desert Love teams up with Springs Preserve to offer native plants at the season’s best plant sale. Join us at Springs Preserve where new Desert Love inventory will be revealed!
Landscaping with Cacti and their Hardy Friends
Join lifelong horticulturalist, Tom Hanselman, for a free presentation on creating beautiful desert landscapes with cacti, native, and drought-tolerant plants.
Tom will walk us through developing a landscape plan, designing a cacti garden, selecting plants, and installing and caring for the garden.
Special attention will be given to small spaces, showing how design principles can be applied to patios, courtyard gardens, and compact yards.
Native Plants Design Workshop
A free, hands-on workshop with expert-designer, Michele Chambliss, focused on planning your spring landscape with native plants.
In this interactive workshop, learn how to apply simple design principles to create a cohesive, beautiful yard.
Intro to Drought-Tolerant and Native Plants
New to desert gardening? Curious about which plants thrive here? Look no further than this free class with certified-wildlife specialist, Gail Brandys. Learn the benefits of native and desert-adapted plants and how to successfully grow native plants from seed. Gail will share real-world insights from 50 years of gardening and provide a wide variety of free native seeds.
Seed Swap at Mojave Bloom
Join Desert Love at Mojave Bloom in this fun and meaningful seed swap event! Bring seeds and cuttings of your own, or simply come to receive offerings from others.
Stewards of the Earth
SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, May 17th
🪴STEWARDS OF THE EARTH Market
Shop, Learn, and Be Inspired:
A collaborative marketplace demonstrating that sustainability starts at home.
This first-of-its-kind marketplace brings together:
* Community gardens and farms offering fresh local produce
* Environmental groups sharing their ecosystem protection work
* Eco-conscious artisans selling sustainable goods
* A speaker exploring how “all flourishing is mutual”
Interested vendors and organizations:
Email Kym at kym.m@desertlovelv.org to participate in creating a space that demonstrates true environmental stewardship.
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Cactus Joe's Las Vegas
📍 12740 Blue Diamond Rd.
Las Vegas NV, 89161
📞 702-875-1968
✉️ cactusjoeslasvegas@gmail.com
🌿 HOURS 🌿
Mon – Sat: 9 am – 5 pm
Sun: 10 am – 5 pm
🌵 For inventory availability, give us a call at 702-875-1968
🌺 For event-related questions, email us at events@cactusjoeslv.com
🪴 For Desert Love Native Plants, email us at info@desertlovelv.org
Earth Day Market
SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, April 26th
Join us for a special 🌏 Earth Day Market, including a mini-farmers market featuring local farmers, growers, and community gardeners committed to eco-friendly and organic practices.
If you specialize in sustainable practices, please email kym.m@desertlovelv.org for details on how to vend at the market.
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Cactus Joe's Las Vegas
📍 12740 Blue Diamond Rd.
Las Vegas NV, 89161
📞 702-875-1968
✉️ cactusjoeslasvegas@gmail.com
🌿 HOURS 🌿
Mon – Sat: 9 am – 5 pm
Sun: 10 am – 5 pm
🌵 For inventory availability, give us a call at 702-875-1968
🌺 For event-related questions, email us at events@cactusjoeslv.com
🪴 For Desert Love Native Plants, email us at info@desertlovelv.org
Native Plant Sale
🌿✨ Native Plant Sale & Bird Preserve Tours – April 5th! ✨🌿
We’re teaming up with Red Rock Audubon Society to bring you an exciting day of native plants, birds, and backyard habitat inspiration!
📅 Saturday, April 5th
📍 Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve
🌱 Native Plant Garden Tours with Bird Experts: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
🛍️ Native Plant Sale by Desert Love: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (on the patio)
Join Red Rock Audubon Society for expert-led plant tours where you'll learn how to create a bird-friendly oasis in your own backyard. See fully grown native plants in action, discover which ones attract birds, and learn why they’re essential for our desert ecosystem!
🌿 Native plants available for purchase, provided by Desert Love! Featured plants include creosote, brittlebush, globemallow, milkweed, box thorn, saltbush & more!
🦜 Make a day of it—go birding before or after the event! A perfect family-friendly outing.
🌵 In collaboration with @redrockaudubon, @desertlove_vegas & @cactusjoes, hosted by Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve.
📌 Mark your calendars and tag a friend who needs to be there!