James W. Cornett

Cornett is a desert ecologist living in Palm Springs, California (winter) and Park City, Utah (summer). He recently appeared on ABC's Good Morning America, where he discussed the impact of climate change on Joshua trees. He is one of the West's most prolific writers with forty-five books and dozens of scientific papers. His research projects have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Riverside Press-Enterprise, the Arizona Republic, and the Desert Sun, among many others. Cornett enjoys sharing his love of desert ecology through writing, teaching, and lecturing. He recently completed a visit to all nine of the world's great deserts and is currently writing a book about his travels and research in each.

On February 13, 2026, Jim will speak on his "Encounter with a Hungry Cougar" at the Rancho Mirage Public Library in California. The program starts at 2:00 P.M. and is free to the public. After his lecture, he will be present to sign copies of his most recent books.

On Saturday evening, February 28, 2026, he will present the same program for the Anza-Borrego Natural History Association at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center in Borrego Springs, California. Contact the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA) for time and ticket price.

On April 2, Jim will be in Marfa, Texas, where he will discuss his close call with a mountain lion in the Baboquivari Mountains of Southern Arizona. Contact the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute for the time and ticket price.