Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station table at the Visitor Center. Nearby there are live examples of a variety of cacti to see on the trail next to the center. MEETING LOCATION: Visitor Center No registration required. Just drop in anytime between 11am-1pm!
Hike along sections of the Chainfruit and Lost Sheep Trails for 2 miles with Ranger Shaun. Along the way you will learn about the many plants and animals that call the Sonoran Desert home. It’s winter in the desert so make sure you have proper clothing and shoes. We won’t be going far, but you [...]
This introduction to the Sonoran Desert is perfect for residents and visitors alike. Join Ranger Kevin for a 3.5-mile hike on the Overton and Go John trails. Trails are rated moderate, so expect stretches of loose rock, uneven terrain and elevation change. We’ll be talking about what makes our desert quite possibly the most biodiverse [...]
This is a great program for residents and visitors alike! Join Ranger Kevin for a roughly 1.8-mile round-trip hike to the Clay Mine, site of a fortune made not of gold, but of snake oil. Program features a tour of the mine itself. Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring water. Hats and sunscreen are [...]
Meet for a bird walk at Gilbert Riparian Preserve, at the west end of the parking lot at 6:00 a.m.; social time at Coffee Rush starts at 7:30 a.m..
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 [...]
Learn some unique history of Willow Springs on this moderate, 7.5-mile round trip hike. Hike will start at area 7 at 8:00 am. We will head up the Mesquite Canyon trail and then on to the Willow Springs via the Willow Canyon Trail. Bring plenty of water and a lunch if you would like. Please leave your [...]
Are you looking to do a difficult, challenging hike, but don’t want to go by yourself? Join Ranger Kevin for a 6.5-mile hike on the extremely difficult, but incredibly scenic, Spur Cross, Tortuga, and Elephant Mountain trails. We’ll keep an eye out for morning critters as we go. If you’re doing the 100 in 100 [...]
“Over the Hump” Mountain Bike Ride: Interrupt your work week with a good ole fashioned trail ride. Trails are flowy with some moderate climbs and downhill descents, a few technical areas: advanced-beginner to Intermediate skill level. First trail spin at night? Our rides are No Drop. Bring mountain or gravel bike, helmet, lights (at least [...]
Learn about birds of Sonoran Desert and migrant water birds on this walk with Ranger Eric. We will first meet at the Wild Burro Day Use Area, then caravan a short distance up Desert Tortoise Rd. or Two Cow Rd. where we can scan the lake for water birds with a scope and binoculars. We [...]
Join Ranger Eric on a 1.8-mile one-way hike up the Yavapai Point Trail where we will be able to take in stunning views of the Sonoran Desert and Lake Pleasant, as well as talk about the local flora and fauna. The hike is rated as moderate, with some rocky and uneven surfaces. Please dress in [...]
Ranger Shaun has come out to talk about big cuddly....spiders. Come learn about some of our native tarantulas! See these charming animals up close and learn why they really aren’t scary at all! NO Registration Required! Just crawl on over!
Come to the Nature Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 2:00pm to 3:30pm. The theme is Rattlesnakes, so bring your curiosity and your questions! Most of them are busy sleeping (brumating) right now, so this is a perfect opportunity to talk about them behind their very long (and scaly!) backs. We’ll have a table full [...]
Make it your New Year’s resolution to get connected with nature! Join Ranger Kevin as we learn how to make - or strengthen - our connection with nature through the practice of Silent Walking and Sit Spots. This is a beginner’s level class, so anyone who is interested in cultivating the skills needed to appreciate [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided bird walk to look and listen for resident and migrant species within the diverse desert riparian habitat of the Hassayampa River Preserve. Along the way we will discuss how to identify birds by sight and sound, and about the behavioral and ecological traits that make them unique. Some binoculars [...]
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 [...]
Learn about the Preserve’s historic stand of California fan palms, how these tropical trees can grow in the desert Southwest, and their importance to both wildlife and native cultures. Did you know that these palms were sourced from a native population in Arizona? Find out more! We will be hosting this table inside the Visitor [...]
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 [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the resident and migratory birds of the Sonoran Desert. Along the way, we will talk about how to identify birds by sight and sound, as well as talk about their biogeography and ecological roles. We will hike 2.2 miles roundtrip on a loop of the [...]
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 [...]
For adult women in a fun, safe environment. Learn fishing, hunting, kayaking, hiking, rappelling and camping. Includes evening activities, meals and lodging. Fee required. Register: www.azwildlife.org/bow/, (520) 240-2437, bow@azwildlife.org
Join a docent from the Friends of the San Pedro River on a walking tour of the Spanish Presidio of Santa Cruz de Terrenate. 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 [...]
We’ll meet outdoors at the Robles Ranch Civic Center in Three Points (15160 West Ajo Highway) This is our 9th ALL THE WAY TO THE BORDER annual celebration of sun, fun and litter when we clean the entire 45 miles of Arizona Highway 286 from Three Points to Sasabe -- All the Way to the [...]
Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station table at the Usery Nature Center. Nearby there are live examples of a variety of cacti to see on the trails next to the center. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center No registration required. Just drop in anytime between [...]
Come along with Ranger Shaun for an introduction to the Sonoran Desert’s unique ecosystem. We’ll talk about some of our native plants and animals, as well as some exotics and invasives, and how they’ve adapted to live (or invade) in the desert. This is an approximately 2.1-mile hike on moderate-difficult trails. Please bring plenty of [...]
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