Death Valley Natural History Association

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Death Valley Natural History Association Since 1954, DVNHA has been the proud cooperating nonprofit organization of Death Valley National Park and Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge.

The proceeds of your donations, membership, and purchases directly fund education and research at these public lands. DVNHA is the primary supporter of the interpretive experience of visitors to the Death Valley area. Our goal is to preserve the natural and cultural resources of the Death Valley area while simultaneously improving the visitor experience by providing further learning opportunities.

03/17/2026

Join us on Saturday, March 28 from 12:00-2:00PM for a Nature Journaling program with our long-time volunteer Teresa Skye! All ages and experience levels are welcome to join. While all materials are provided, participants are welcome to bring their favorite art tools to use. The program will begin indoors at the Visitor Center then move outside for hands-on experience. Limited spots available- call the Visitor Center at (775) 372-5435 to RSVP.

Photos: T. Skye/USFWS Volunteer

Thank you to every individual, member, and corporate partner who has supported DVNHA during the shutdown. Your generosit...
11/14/2025

Thank you to every individual, member, and corporate partner who has supported DVNHA during the shutdown. Your generosity kept the Furnace Creek Visitor Center open and ensured that visitors could continue to safely experience Death Valley’s landscapes, history, and natural wonders. This collective support reflects a shared commitment to protecting and celebrating this extraordinary place. Whether through a major gift, membership, or personal donation, every contribution made a difference. Thank you for standing with us and helping keep this vital resource open for all who love Death Valley National Park.

A sincere thank you to the Death Valley Conservancy for their gift to DVNHA. Their support is playing a crucial role in ...
11/04/2025

A sincere thank you to the Death Valley Conservancy for their gift to DVNHA. Their support is playing a crucial role in keeping the Furnace Creek Visitor Center open. This contribution helps visitors stay connected to the park’s history, natural wonders, and community. In uncertain times, their generosity strengthens our ability to serve Death Valley National Park. Thank you, Death Valley Conservancy, for standing with us and with all who love this remarkable place.

If you would like to support operations during the shutdown, please visit
https://dvnha.org/support-the-dvnha-unrestricted-fund/

A heartfelt thank you to Xanterra and The Oasis at Death Valley for their generous support of DVNHA. This contribution a...
10/24/2025

A heartfelt thank you to Xanterra and The Oasis at Death Valley for their generous support of DVNHA. This contribution assists in supporting our park partners and continuing to keep the Furnace Creek Visitor Center open for the safety and well-being of our visitors. Partnerships like this strengthen our ability to serve the public when it matters most. Thank you, Xanterra team, for standing with us and supporting this vital community resource.

The Death Valley Natural History Association is making it possible for the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to reopen during...
10/10/2025

The Death Valley Natural History Association is making it possible for the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to reopen during the federal government shutdown. Thanks to a $10,000 donation, DVNHA is funding daily operations in partnership with the National Park Service. This support helps ensure visitors continue to have access to information, interpretive exhibits, and the bookstore. DVNHA remains committed to supporting visitors’ enjoyment and safety during this time. To help sustain this effort, please consider donating to the DVNHA Unrestricted Fund at https://dvnha.org/support-the-dvnha-unrestricted-fund/.

The federal shutdown continues—and DVNHA needs YOU.Our mission to support Death Valley National Park & Ash Meadows NWR i...
10/01/2025

The federal shutdown continues—and DVNHA needs YOU.
Our mission to support Death Valley National Park & Ash Meadows NWR is at risk.
💛 Your donation to the DVNHA Unrestricted Fund helps:
✅ Sustain essential operations
✅ Support paused partnered projects
✅ Bring back our amazing staff to welcome visitors like you
Act now to keep the DVNHA spirit alive.
Together, we can protect these treasured public lands for generations to come.
Donate: www.dvnha.org/support-the-dvnha-unrestricted-fund/

Today is National Public Lands Day, a time to celebrate and care for our country's natural treasures. Our public lands o...
09/27/2025

Today is National Public Lands Day, a time to celebrate and care for our country's natural treasures. Our public lands offer extraordinary opportunities to learn, explore, and find inspiration, from the biodiverse oasis of Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge to the shimmering salt flats of Death Valley National Park. This year, as we honor these special places, we are reminded that they do not stay protected on their own. They face pressures from many directions, and it is up to all of us to value their beauty, protect the wildlife and ecosystems they support, and ensure that future generations can experience them as we do today.

Image Description: Three hikers explore Death Valley NP near Zabriskie Point
Image Credit: NPS

How do tarantulas survive summers in Death Valley? They spend the hottest months underground, emerging only when conditi...
07/22/2025

How do tarantulas survive summers in Death Valley? They spend the hottest months underground, emerging only when conditions are right. Their thick exoskeleton helps lock in moisture, while staying still saves precious energy. In this kind of heat, survival depends on energy conservation.

Image Description: A tarantula rests on rocky ground.
Image Credit: NPS

How sharp are your wildlife-spotting skills? Can you find the burrowing owl in this photo?To stay safe in the heat, burr...
07/17/2025

How sharp are your wildlife-spotting skills? Can you find the burrowing owl in this photo?

To stay safe in the heat, burrowing owls rely on their plumage to regulate body temperature, while their underground homes offer quick refuge from extremes.

Image Description: A burrowing owl camouflages itself amidst a rocky landscape.
Image Credit: NPS

To explore the desert safely, timing is everything. Death Valley’s midday sun can be relentless, turning curiosity into ...
07/14/2025

To explore the desert safely, timing is everything. Death Valley’s midday sun can be relentless, turning curiosity into crisis if you're not careful. Plan your adventures during the early morning or late afternoon, when temperatures are less extreme. These windows offer better conditions for hiking, photographing, or simply soaking in the scenery. Avoid the harshest hours to reduce your risk of heat-related illness. Remember, the best adventure is the one that keeps you safe!

Image Description: Low-angle sunlight brightens the mountains in the background and casts dark shadows on the dunes in the foreground.
Image Credit: NPS

Address

PO Box 188
Death Valley Junction, CA
92328

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm
Sunday 8am - 5pm

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