2020

MOU signed with Loughborough University, UK, to work in conjunction with Zayed University on Drone studies within the DDCR and machine learning on the images collected.
Director of Kew Foundation, UK, Meredith Pierce Hunter visits the DDCR.
Installation of weather and virtual reference station in corporation with Survey Department- Dubai Municipality.
Wildlife Diplomacy Delegation from USA visits DDCR.

2019

DDCR Management plan completed for the next 5 years (2019 -2023).
DDCR implement a paperless Visitor Management System and reporting solution..
Launch the DDCR Approved tours to promote high quality tours with a focus on nature and local culture.
Nara Desert Escapes becomes a concession holder in the DDCR to provide unique desert experience to visitors.
MOU signed with Prague University and MSc. Student starts a camera trap study in the Reserve.
Research Collaborations

Mohammad Bin Rashid University of Medicine and health sciences (college of Medicine) on small mammals in DDCR.
UAE university- (College of food and agriculture-department of veterinary medicine) on Pathogen risk assessments of felines in DDCR.
East Anglia University for MSc project on pitfall traps sizes efficiency surveying arthropods.
Natural History Museum of London studying desert termites.

2018

Camera Traps set during the annual Biosphere Expedition capture only the second record of a Cinereous Vulture in the UAE.
Memorandum of Understanding for co-operation on environmental research is signed with the University of Coimbra – Centre for Functional Ecology (Portugal).
The DDCR welcomes its first Intern from the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
The Director General of the IUCN, Inger Anderson, visits the DDCR.

2017

A rare UAE sighting of six Short-eared Owls in the DDCR.
Memorandum of Understanding for co-operation on environmental research are signed with Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and Malaga University.

2016

New wasp species, Palarus inexspectatus, is discovered in the DDCR by visiting entomologist, Dr. Sarah Gess from Albany Museum, Grahamstown, South Africa
Major rainfall event (85.2mm)

2015

A partnership with Frying Pan Adventures to provide a photographic and food trail through the DDCR.
A purpose built DDCR operations office and workshop are built

2014

A young Sand Fox is caught as part of Biosphere Expedition, proofing that this elusive species is breeding in the DDCR.

2012

Largest Vulture Sighting ever in the UAE, 47 Lappet-faced Vultures; 2 Griffon Vultures and a UAE first ever sighting in the wild of a Cinereous Vulture
Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum implements a new graded sand road network in the DDCR as well as the planting of 25 000 indigenous trees.
Partnership with Platinum Heritage Luxury Tours & Safaris to provide heritage safaris in open top vintage Land Rovers.
As a part of our vegetation monitoring two enclosures are built to exclude ungulates and thereby study the effect of grazing on the natural desert flora.
During a baseline Rodent survey, Egyptian Spiny Mouse are capture on Jebel Nazwa, this is a new species for the DDCR.

2011

Partnership with Biosphere Expeditions to implement volunteer based conservation program.
Removal of the fence surrounding the original Al Maha Reserve (27km²)
Partnership with Royal Shaheen Events to provide falconry demonstrations and interactive experiences for tour operators and visitor to the DDCR.

2010

Rare sighting of a Golden Eagle in the UAE, present in the DDCR for a week.
First sighting Keyhole Glider dragonfly in the UAE
Houbara Re-introduction program is started in the DDCR. Initial release of 29 in March and 170 in December.

2009

Major rainfall event (196mm)
Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum implements the construction of two lakes within the DDCR
Comprehensive vegetation survey is carried out as part of the DDCR Biodiversity monitoring program.

2008

All domestic livestock are removed from the DDCR

2007

Ground fauna baseline study Phase (2)
Arabian Oryx are fitted with GPS collars to monitor their movement and utilization of the natural habitat.

2006

Three weather stations are installed to record weather data across the DDCR
Ground fauna baseline study Phase (1)

2005

Seven Camera traps were deployed to gain baseline data on nocturnal and cryptic species within the DDCR
Thematic Geographical Information System (GIS) program started whereby all data collected would be geo-referenced and added to our database.

2004

A comprehensive Vegetation Baseline Survey is carried out across the DDCR
Translocation 41 Arabian Oryx from Al Maha into the north of the DDCR

2003

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), an area of 225 square kilometres, 4.7% of Dubai’s total land area, was created to protect the last remaining pristine desert landscape of this forward thinking emirate.

2002

Resort managers began a major environmental audit of the surrounding areas. Researchers were tasked with exploring current and potential threats to endangered species and disappearing desert habitats, as well as the long-term quality of Dubai’s desert tourism experience.
The Al Maha management submitted proposals to the government on the formation of a formal national park.
The proposal was accepted and the Dubai Conservation Board was established.
The Board established a detailed constitution and all the necessary regulatory measures were in place for the physical creation of the Reserve. Emirates airline entered into a five year sponsorship deal worth over US$ 14 million. Additional funds of US$7 million were set aside by the Dubai Government to create the initial infrastructure and facilitate the start-up work.

1999

The Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa was established with a 27km² conservation reserve, for the protection of desert fauna and flora.
70 Arabian oryx are re-introduced 6000 indigenous trees and shrubs are planted.

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