The Imperial Valley Desert Museum (IVDM), a nonprofit organization recently celebrating 50 years of service, offers a wide range of educational programs and activities to communities across the Imperial Valley and eastern San Diego County. The museum’s permanent exhibit features traditional Kumeyaay ceramics and explores the archaeology, geology, and water history of the Imperial Valley.

Each year, IVDM welcomes students for field trips that focus on history, science, and visual arts. In partnership with the Imperial County Probation Department, the museum also provides weekly educational lessons and hands-on activities to youth in Juvenile Hall and in underserved communities such as Niland, Heber, and Westmorland.

IVDM hosts a variety of free community events throughout the year, covering themes like desert ecology, water history, nocturnal wildlife, and local geology. The museum also offers occasional expert lectures, art workshops, and collaborates with regional organizations to participate in fairs and public events across Imperial Valley and San Diego County.

Additionally, IVDM holds monthly volunteer days, offering the public a chance to get involved in curation and the preservation of local history.