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 [...]
Papago Park Evelyn Hallman Pond - Sunday Mar 3rd, 9:00AM with Kathleen McCoy. This urban park bird walk is geared for adults, but children are welcome. No dogs please. This pond is frequented by egrets, herons, cormorants and a wide variety of ducks. Cute coots and maybe a grebe or two could be present. A [...]
Join Wild AZ for trail maintenance along Bog Springs Trail #156 (31.72693, -110.88035). We will meet at 9am for a brief safety meeting and we will work until 2:30 p.m. Please remember to bring water, lunch, snacks, and warm layers for the day. By participating in this event, you'll not only contribute to the preservation [...]
The Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park (EOP) is open to public bird watching tours on Sunday mornings year round. Group size is limited to 15 people, first come, first served. Arrive before the starting time (7:00am) to sign a waiver and secure a spot. The 2-2.5 hours walk is behind locked gates and you must [...]
Introduction to Upland Bird Hunting for women and youth is for experienced shotgun athletes. This is not a program to provide shotgun shooting instruction. Experienced shotgun shooters will learn from mentors how to hunt pheasants and chukars with the use of bird dogs. It consists of three hunting groups with three hunters each, and each [...]
This free event will begin at 9AM with a guided tour of the ruins at 10AM by retired Tonto National Forest Archaeologist Scott Wood. Ancient Hohokam Indians fortified this hilltop during the late 1000s, building massive walls of stone around its upper levels. As many as 100 people may have occupied its 40 masonry rooms [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for a 2.8-mile hike along the Gila, Baseline and Horseshoe trails as we set off in search of wildflowers, blooming trees, shrubs and cacti as well as the butterflies that visit them. You will learn about the Parks Department butterfly monitoring initiative and receive an identification handout to help with your own [...]
Come to the Nature Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 2:30pm to 4:00pm. Bring your burning desert questions! Try to stump the Ranger! Impress your friends and enemies alike with your new-found knowledge! We’ll also have a table full of interesting objects like bones, feathers, snake sheds, cactus boots and much more for you to touch [...]
What do the current drought conditions and water concerns mean for Arizonans? Are there viable solutions to reduce the risk of depleted water resources for the future of our state? Join us for this important discussion about Arizona's water and our future by one of the state's leading authorities. This event is free, though donations [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an exciting evening hike along the Black Rock Loop trail. We’ll be on the lookout for all kinds of evening-active critters, from skunks to scorpions, spiders, snakes, fox, coyote, deer, owls and more! The trail is rated easy with little loose rock, uneven surfaces or elevation change. Please bring water and [...]
Bird walk at the San Pedro House led by docents from the Friends of the San Pedro River and other local organizations.
“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 [...]
“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 [...]
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 [...]
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 along the Dragonfly Trail at Spur Cross and adjacent Jewel of the Creek Preserve to look for birds of the Sonoran Desert and riparian habitats. Along the way, we will discuss identification tips by sight and sound for birds, as well as their ecological roles. We will hike [...]
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 [...]
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 Wickenburg Conservation Foundation to learn about edible desert foods -- how to find, harvest and process them. Class includes sampling 10 or more desert foods! Class is co-hosted by Wickenburg Parks and Recreation. Registration costs $15, payable by cash or check. Please register online prior to the event. This class will be held [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the animals, plants, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert. We will hike 7.2 miles roundtrip on the Elephant Mountain loop, including segments of Spur Cross, Tortuga, and Elephant Mountain Trails. It will be on moderate to difficult grade, with frequently rocky or uneven ground. Please [...]
Join Ranger Steve at the Nature 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: Visitor Center No registration required, [...]
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 [...]
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