A spring-fed pond snuggled amongst desert fan palms in the McCallum Grove is a sanctuary to desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius) (Black, 1980). This minnow-like fish was introduced to the pond from creek beds draining into the Salton Sea where non-native fish have nearly eliminated the pupfish from their native habitat. The pupfish were placed in the pool to protect them from extinction. The McCallum Grove located a half-mile north of the visitor center at the Coachella Valley Preserve on Thousand Palms Road. |