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 [...]
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 [...]
The Legacy Tour will introduce visitors to the rich 100-year history of Boyce Thompson Arboretum and further appreciation of this land and its legacy. Tour participants will receive a BTA Centennial commemorative pin as a gift at the end of the tour. This tour will follow the Main Trail and is on unpaved trails in [...]
Explore the Wild after the sun goes down. Join us at Veterans Oasis Park for an enchanting evening hosted by Chandler Nature Center that promises to ignite your passion for the great outdoors! Great for all ages, join us for an evening of fun activities: Nature-related crafts and activities Guided night hikes Exciting exhibitors Raffle [...]
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 [...]
Fishing Utah's Green River - Scott Barrus is the owner/operator of Spinner Fall Guide Service on Utah’s Green River. Scott became sole owner in 2010 and has built his company with a focus on teaching and an emphasis on dry fly fishing. When he’s not rowing the river, you can find Scott hiking, camping, snowboarding, [...]
Join us for a presenation with Scott Barrus, owner/operator of Spinner Fall Guide Service in Utah's Green Valley River. His focus is on teaching and dry fly fishing.
Bird walk at the San Pedro House led by docents from the Friends of the San Pedro River and other local organizations.
Our volunteer work day schedule this season continues to address IFNM needs and fencing issues related to wildlife connectivity through the Avra Valley, Altar Valley, Tucson Mountains and Tortolitas to the Catalinas. We began the fencing work several years ago in support of the Avra Valley Wildlife Connectivity Working Group. On Desert Fence Busters fence [...]
Got questions about the Sonoran Desert or the things that live there? Ask Ranger Kevin! Click program title for more details. Come to the Nature Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 2:00pm 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 [...]
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 [...]
Learn about the plants, animals, and ecosystem of the Sonoran Desert on this guided hike with Ranger Eric. Click on program title for details. Join Ranger Eric on a 2.4-mile roundtrip hike on the Cottonwood Trail, as we learn about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem and its unique flora and fauna. The hike is rated as [...]
Discover an unforgettable trail ride along the ever-flowing Salt River. Saddle up and settle in for a Sonoran Desert guided horse ride that tracks through the majestic Goldfield Mountain range, into dry arroyos and up the creosote-covered hills overlooking Saguaro Lake. Whether first-time or seasoned rider, this desert adventure is sure to celebrate your love [...]
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 [...]
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