The ongoing federal government shutdown has impacted programs and daily operations at Friends of the Desert Mountains in Palm Desert, officials said Tuesday.

“Shutdowns have happened before, but this is the first time we have had to leave the campus,” Friends Executive Director Tammy Martin said in a statement. “While some of our work can be done remotely, many of our upcoming programs and events undoubtedly will be impacted by the shuttering of our office.”

The federal shutdown has forced cancellation of several free public programs, including Tortoise Talks, Star Parties, lectures and bird walks, and staff temporarily vacated their offices on Oct. 2 at the Monument Visitor Center at 51-500 Highway 74.

Officials said that should the shutdown extend past Oct. 17, they will need to eithe

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