Southwest Spring Week is an almost-annual tradition in Southern Arizona, taking place in late February or early March and welcoming a mix of both locals and those from colder climates who just want a bit of “O” in the warm desert winter. Organized by Tucson Orienteering Club & Greater Phoenix Orienteering Club. SWSW is aggressively casual orienteering with [...]
“Invasive species are among the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the animals, plants, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert. We will hike 3.5 miles roundtrip on a loop of Slate, Jasper, Go John, Quartz Trails. It will be on moderate grade, with frequently rocky or uneven ground. Please dress in layers, wear protective clothing and/or [...]
Free event, open to the public (weather permitting). Starts outside the Visitor Center, then walks the Peninsula Trail (paved), and the Delta Trail (unpaved). Be prepared to talk about 1.5 miles outdoors. Remember to wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers, and bring water. Directions: From Lake Havasu City: Travel approximately 17 miles south on Hwy [...]
Watch and interact with fossil preparators as they prepare paleontological specimens found throughout Petrified Forest National Park. Open to the public every Thursday, everyone is invited to observe this fascinating and painstaking process, ask questions, and learn more about the fossils found here. All ages are welcome. Located on the northeast side of the Painted [...]
Join Ranger Eric at the Cave Creek Nature Center to watch birds around the feeders and learn bird identification basics, field guides and apps, and citizen science. Chairs will be available to use and the area we will be is also handicapped accessible. The back windows of the Nature Center give a great view of common [...]
Join Ranger Steve at the Discovery Center for an interactive display of venomous animals and a discussion of their vital role in our ecosystem, “busting” myths about their behaviors, and have all your questions answered! Get hands on and hold items like snake skins, rattles, and even skeletons! MEETING LOCATION: Discovery Center No registration required, [...]
Please join us for the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival - the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition's largest fund raiser of the year! And, we have some new things lined up to make your volunteering hours more comfortable as well as new ways for members to participate in the festival. In addition to the Beer Booth Token Sales, [...]
Enjoy an evening of stargazing with astronomy enthusiast Ranger Steve! We’ll be viewing a selection of objects through a small telescope. Possibilities include plants, galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters! We’ll also look at constellations with a laser pointer. Bring your questions! Family friendly program. Restrooms are available nearby, but please bring your own water/beverages. Please [...]
This project has a history of 36 years -- the first Riparian Specialist hired by the Tonto National Forest knew the value of repeat photography in documenting resource conditions. He had the foresight to initiate a riparian photopoint program in 1988 -- finding important reaches of streamside vegetation and taking clear photographs of the vegetation [...]
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