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 [...]
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, [...]
Join Friends of the Tonto NF volunteers for a 4 day/3 night backpack to brush & clear dead-fall on Sheep Creek Trail. Friends has a grant to hire American Conservation Experience youth crews to clear the trail, and needs 100 volunteer hours. The group will be camping in McFarland Canyon near an intermittent stream, under [...]
This is a three day weekend event; however, trail maintenance will take place Saturday only. Please feel free to join us for the entire weekend or just the day! ALL ARE WELCOME! Wild Arizona and Arizona Trail Association will be covering all meals during this camping trip! Friday (optional): Meet at Gordon Hirabayashi Campground (32.33923, -110.71306) ) at [...]
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 [...]
The increase of forest fires shows how the desert is changing. Wet winter and spring seasons in 2019 and 2020 encouraged plant growth, including invasive species which compete with native plants for water and nutrients. As a consequence, non-native plants provided the fuel to carry the fires over hundreds of thousands of acres, and to [...]
Join one of our local bird enthusiasts for a guided bird walk through the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area! These walks are for everyone: experts, novices, and people who have never gone birding in their entire life. Bring water, and wear sunscreen and shoes for walking. Loaner binoculars and field guides are available for those [...]
Interpretive walk led by docents of the Friends of the San Pedro River. The San Pedro House, a 1930’s-era converted ranch house operating as a gift and bookstore, leads guided interpretive walks/hikes along the river and throughout the adjacent area, presents educational programs to schools and community groups, and assists the BLM in a variety [...]
Are you looking to do a very challenging hike, but don’t want to go alone? Join Ranger Kevin for a 6-mile hike on the scenic Ford Canyon trail. We’ll keep an eye out for wildlife and springtime wildflowers as we go. Trail conditions are rated difficult to extremely difficult, so expect loose rock, uneven terrain, [...]
Explore the wonders of the Sonoran Desert while you hone your skills on the varied terrain of one of Pima County’s beautiful desert trails that coincides with AZT passage 8. Trail running offers a wonderful opportunity to explore and connect with the natural world, while providing a fun and engaging way to get a great [...]
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 the San Tan Valley Master Gardeners for this outdoor drop-in program that investigates farming and gardening practices of the early native people of the desert Southwest. Adults and kids can learn about ancient technologies that were used to harvest and utilize the small (and occasionally immense) amount of rainfall that occurs in our desert [...]
Join a walking tour of the Spanish Presidio of Santa Cruz de Terrenate with FSPR docent Jeff Hustad. This fort was operational during the late 1770s, the centerpiece for a planned Spanish occupation of the San Pedro River Valley that failed. This is a three-mile round trip walk over trails and uneven ground. The return [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the animals, plants, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert. We will hike 2.9 miles on the North Trail loop. It is rated as easy, but has some uneven or sandy surfaces. Please dress in layers, wear protective clothing and/or sunscreen, wear sturdy footwear, and carry [...]
Come Explore Lake Pleasant Regional Park! ABOUT US: Come explore Lake Pleasant Regional Park! Join us in the Discovery Center, where you’ll learn about the: Park’s history, Trails, Services, amenities, and much more! ACTIVITIES: Our friendly rangers and park volunteers can’t wait to talk to you about the park programs and volunteer opportunities. Park partners [...]
Enjoy an evening of stargazing with astronomy enthusiast Ranger Steve! We’ll be viewing a selection of objects through a small telescope. Possibilities include planets, 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 [...]
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