Explore the Hidden Life of the Desert— Botany, Blooms, and Beyond
Whether it’s a superbloom or a subtle bloom, the desert is always alive with stories—if you know where (and how) to look. This immersive weekend retreat invites you to discover the fascinating world of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park’s plant life, guided by scientists, naturalists, and desert enthusiasts.
From the adaptations of desert plants to the mysteries of dormant seeds, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the landscape—flower-filled or not. With expert-led excursions, engaging presentations, and premium accommodations, this is your chance to connect with nature, science, and a community of curious minds.
Join us for a memorable experience that goes beyond the bloom.
What to Expect
Two guided field excursions into Anza-Borrego’s diverse plant habitats
Expert talks on desert botany, seed dormancy, plant adaptations, and more
Identification of native plants—whether blooming or not
Insights into climate, ecology, and conservation affecting desert flora
Premium lodging and delicious meals
A welcoming community of fellow plant lovers and curious explorers
Who Should Attend
Plant lovers, from beginners to botanists
Nature educators, docents, and volunteers seeking deeper knowledge
Photographers and observers of subtle beauty
Curious travelers looking for a relaxing and enriching desert experience
Anyone who finds wonder in the natural world—bloom or no bloom
What to Bring
Comfortable hiking shoes or walking sandals
Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
Water bottle and daypack
Binoculars or hand lens (optional, for close plant inspection)
Camera or smartphone for photography
Warm layers for cool mornings or evenings
What’s included:
Lodging for two nights
All meals
Use of hotel amenities
Presentations from experts
Guided activities
Date & Time: 5 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2026– 1 p.m. Sunday, March 22, 2026
Location:
Borrego Springs Resort and Spa (1112 Tilting T Dr., Borrego Springs, CA 92004)
Cost:
Includes lodging, meals, and activities!
ABF Member Single Occupancy: $722/person
ABF Member Double Occupancy: $595/person
Non-Member Single Occupancy: $850/person
Non-Member Double Occupancy: $700/person
* This fee will be paid in three installments, beginning with a 25% non-refundable deposit.
What Previous Attendees are Saying About Our Retreats:
”The retreat was so special. The hosts were engaging and warm and the intimate setting and small group size facilitated sharing and learning amongst all participants that I have not previously experienced elsewhere. So much valuable knowledge was exchanged in a friendly, accessible manner over a short period of time through the perfect mix of presentations, outdoor activity, and downtime. I have a new appreciation for the park and it's staff/volunteers.”
“Wonderful opportunity to recharge and reconnect with the land and the beauty of the park.”
“I loved the hikes and I very much appreciated the opportunity to get to quietly meet and talk with other participants. The diverse backgrounds, including the presenters, were interesting and I enjoyed our shared meals and casual time after activities.”
Registration:
Payment 1 (Non-Refundable Deposit):
https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=86e3916c-31d2-4bb4-bd87-accb9a116879&envId=p-Of6JnJ-NDU-Ys4lsF7CG9w&zone=usa
Payment 2 (due January 19, 2026):
https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=8fdb4730-82aa-4028-a60a-86887c2657eb&envId=p-Of6JnJ-NDU-Ys4lsF7CG9w&zone=usa
Payment 3 (due February 18, 2026:
https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=f2b7d43a-22e6-486c-9482-abbfc981d93d&envId=p-Of6JnJ-NDU-Ys4lsF7CG9w&zone=usa
Cancellation Policy: Please see our FAQs page to read our cancellation policy.
Retreat Experts:
Since starting in 2019, Syd Magner’s work at the Colorado Desert District has primarily focused on field botany, co-managing the District herbarium, volunteer management, and invasive species management. He’s especially interested in documenting rare and unusual plants in the District’s remoter areas. He can be found on iNaturalist as “borregodude”.
Dr. Michael G. Simpson is a Professor Emeritus of Biology at San Diego State University (SDSU) and curator of the SDSU Herbarium. He has been with the university since 1986. His areas of expertise are plant taxonomy, plant molecular phylogenetics, and floristics. He currently coordinates and co-teaches a spring course at SDSU, Field Botany of San Diego County. In addition to publishing articles in technical journals, Dr. Simpson is author of the widely used textbook Plant Systematics (Elsevier-Academic Press, 2006; 3rd ed. 2019), winner of the Gleason award given by the New York Botanical Garden. His past work centered on the monocot family Haemodoraceae, a morphologically diverse family distributed in Australia, southern Africa, northern South America and Central America, and eastern North America. His current focus is on the biogeography, evolution, and taxonomy of the Popcorn Flowers, subtribe Amsinckiinae of the family Boraginaceae. He continues to travel to Chile and Argentina toward those research activities. Dr. Simpson also studies biogeographic patterns and processes of plants with an American amphitropical distribution (AAD), those occurring in North and South America but not in the intervening tropics. He is curator of the SDSU Herbarium and is a member of the Consortium of California Herbaria Administrative Committee.
You may also like the following events from Anza-Borrego Foundation:
Also check out other
Workshops in Borrego Springs,
Arts events in Borrego Springs,
Literary Art events in Borrego Springs.
