Sunnylands Center & Gardens is reviving its in-person participation in the Great ShakeOut with an invitation to the public to learn about the importance of earthquake and emergency preparedness on Thursday, Oct. 20.
From 9:30 a.m. to noon, various community organizations and school groups will be at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage to share information on the preparations residents need to make in the event of a major earthquake or other natural disaster.
At 10:20 a.m., guests and staff will participate in an earthquake drill that will interrupt all Sunnylands activities for 15 minutes. An alarm, public announcements, and Sunnylands staff will guide guests through the drill and to nearby evacuation areas. Immediately after the drill, tours and programming will resume.
Sunnylands is one of many organizations around the globe raising awareness of earthquake safety via drills and other activities. Due to coronavirus pandemic safeguards over the last three years, the Oct. 20 event marks the first in-person observation of the annual campaign at Sunnylands since 2019.
Participants and activities include:
- An earthquake preparedness game on the Great Lawn with students from Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Palm Desert.
- Palm Desert High School medical students practicing triage procedures and talking to the public about their program.
- Students from Rancho Mirage High School’s culinary academy presenting an emergency food plan they created, including a menu, shopping list, and storage safety for 10 days.
- Animal Samaritans sharing information on how to prepare for an earthquake if you have pets.
- The Rancho Mirage Community Emergency Response Team discussing its emergency response program, and distributing its “Rocket Rules” activity books that offer safety information for children.
- Coachella Valley Water District providing information on emergency preparedness and drinking water.
- Coachella Valley Disaster Prevention Network (CVDPN) sharing disaster preparedness information for families and their pets.
Families are encouraged to participate. For more information, please contact the education department at 760-202-2251 or education@sunnylands.org.
Admission to Sunnylands Center & Gardens, located at 37977 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage, is free.
The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands
The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands is a nonprofit operating entity that hosts high-level retreats on serious issues facing the nation and the world. Programs offered through Sunnylands Center & Gardens educate the public about the history of Sunnylands, its architecture, art collections, cultural significance, and sustainable practices.
