Local & Community
Rancho Mirage Launches Program to Turn Yard Waste Into Food for Zoo Animals
The City of Rancho Mirage is launching a new sustainability initiative designed to turn yard waste into a valuable resource for local wildlife.
The program, called Nature to Nourishment, is a partnership with The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Its goal is to repurpose tree trimmings into healthy food for animals such as giraffes and rhinos.
City leaders say the effort allows residents, HOAs, local schools, and landscapers to take part by donating eligible branches. The initiative not only supports the animals at the zoo but also helps reduce the amount of green waste sent to landfills.
Participants in the program will need to confirm eligibility and properly trim and separate branches before scheduled pickup.
Officials say programs like this highlight how small community actions can have a meaningful environmental impact, benefiting both wildlife and sustainability efforts across the Coachella Valley.
More information on how to participate is available on the City of Rancho Mirage’s website.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
April 15, 2026
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