Maricopa County Parks and Recreation is hosting its first-ever Seed Bomb Workshop on July 27, 2023, from 8:00 am until 11:30 am at Usery Mountain Regional Park Nature Center. What is that you ask? That is an event we get together and create seed bombs with native seed that was collected in the parks, add clay and compost. [...]
Join Ranger Eric for an after-hours trail walk to look for and learn about the nocturnal critters of the Preserve! Wildlife seen on past walks have included bats, ringtails, foxes, skunks, javelinas, deer, owls, scorpions, insects, and other cool creepy crawlies! Please bring your own flashlights and blacklights if you have them, but some will [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an approximately 3-mile hike on the Spur Cross, Metate, and Fairy Duster trails. We will be talking about the importance of native plants in restoring desert habitat that has been degraded due to things like wildfire, human use and overgrazing. We may even get the opportunity to observe as “seed bombs” [...]
Join Maricopa County Natural Resource Manager Juanita Armstrong-Ullberg for an approximately 4-5-mile hike on the Go John trail, as well as around the Nature Center and the Native Seed Garden. We will be talking about the importance of native plants in restoring desert habitat that has been degraded due to things like wildfire, human use [...]
A discovery table will be set up in the Visitor Center with a variety of native plants collected from the park system that have either edible or medicinal properties. A ranger will be available to answer your questions and to identify they plants you have found during your hikes in the parks. MEETING LOCATION: Visitor [...]
Join Ranger Steve in the lobby of the Lake Pleasant 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: [...]
Look for and learn about the nocturnal animals on this guided hike with Ranger Eric. Wildlife we may see includes scorpions, spiders, insects, owls, nightjars, reptiles, and mammals! We will hike 1-2 miles roundtrip depending on heat and participant interest on the Blevins and Amigos Wash Trails. The hike will be on easy, but sandy [...]
One of the toughest most spectacular mountain races in all of North America in a little known mountain range near Beaver, Utah. The Tushar Mountains are a hidden gem of high altitude peaks, mountain canyons, alpine lakes and stunning terrain. Come find out for yourself why this is a MUST DO race. The Tushars Mountain [...]
A discovery station will be set up in the nature center. On display will be a variety of native plants collected from the park system that have either edible or medicinal properties. A ranger will be available to answer your questions and to identify they plants you have found during your hikes in the parks. [...]
This hike will cover 2.6 miles of the Lost Sheep Trail and is rated as easy. We will be walking on mostly sandy and uneven ground so make sure to wear proper shoes. During they hike you will be able to learn about the many native plant and animal species that call the Sonoran Desert [...]
This is a call to the #SteepSquad and all those who embrace the #SteepLife: Aravaipa’s next virtual challenge of the year is here, and the name of the game is VERT. Raised By Rams is a 10-day mission to rack up as much vertical gain as possible. Inspired by our founder Jamil Coury’s love of climbing and [...]
Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station table at the Lake Pleasant Discovery Center. Nearby there are live examples of a variety of cacti to see on the trail next to the center. MEETING LOCATION: Discovery Center No registration required. Just drop in anytime [...]
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 plenty of water. Hats and sunscreen are highly recommended. Restrooms are available at the Nature [...]
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 ready to SUP? This is a hands-on Stand-Up-Paddleboard class. There will be a "classroom" session followed by putting theory into practice--actually using a SUP on the water. This course is designed to equip paddlers with basic skills to get from point A to point B successfully, to understand the legal responsibilities that come [...]
Enjoy a stroll with a TRACKS member who will expound on additional opportunities to enjoy group hiking with knowledgeable people from around the White Mountains! Suggested donation of $10 for adults Kids and Members FREE
The discovery theme is Sonoran Desert Artifacts, so bring your curiosity and your questions for Ranger Kevin to answer! A table full of interesting objects will be on hand for you to inspect. Come into the Nature Center anytime between 10:00am to 12:00pm. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center classroom No registration required. Just stop by anytime [...]
Join Ranger Steve in the San Tan 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: Nature Center No [...]
We will be hiking slowly along the river ramble and lykes lookout trails for 1.5 miles as we hunt for scorpions, and other nocturnal creatures that call the Hassayampa river home. We will be on sandy and rocky trails to please make sure to wear appropriate footwear. It is also encouraged that you bring plenty [...]
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 eBird and citizen science, how to identify birds by sight and sound, and about the behavioral and ecological traits that make them [...]
Join Ranger Steve for a Sunday “lunch and learn” presentation in the Discovery Center classroom. This week’s topic will be the North American Monsoon. What is it? What causes it? What impact does it have on the Sonoran Desert? Find these answers and more! MEETING LOCATION: Discovery Center Limit 12 participants. To register, please email [...]
July 31: Hotspots: Birding Woodland Lake Show Low Public Library, 6:00-7:30, Monday *
Held at White Mountain Nature Center 425 Woodland Road Pinetop-Lakeside (free and open to the public)
Arizona is home to the largest contiguous stand of Ponderosa pine in the world! Come learn interesting biological and cultural facets of Ponderosa pine ecosystems from a retired Forester. ! Suggested donation for adults $10. Kids and members FREE
Night Shredders Shred the day away. Cooler nights on the trails will remind you how good it is to shed your schedules and responsibilities. You'll spend an evening with less conversation and more grinning with your friends. First time joining us? WELCOME! No rider is left behind. Riders must have some trail experience. Moderate fitness. [...]
On this hike you will get to see a variety of cactus species and learn about their many adaptations to survive in the harsh Sonoran Desert climate. We will hike the 3.3-mile Tortuga Trail starting from the covered picnic table just past the contact station. The trail is rocky, steep and uneven in many places [...]
Night Shredders Shred the day away. Cooler nights on the trails will remind you how good it is to shed your schedules and responsibilities. You'll spend an evening with less conversation and more grinning with your friends. First time joining us? WELCOME! No rider is left behind. Riders must have some trail experience. Moderate fitness. [...]
We will hike 2 miles along the Pipeline Canyon Trail and stop periodically to take pictures of the plants, animals and landscapes found in the Sonoran Desert. The trail is rated as moderate with gradual elevation gain in sometimes rocky trail. We will be starting early in the morning, but it is encouraged that you [...]
Watch for birds on a 2-mile hike with Ranger Nikki on easy trails near the Nature Center and see if you can spot their homes camouflaged among the cholla cacti and trees. You can also learn about ways to help with bird identification using books and apps. (This hike is followed by a separate indoor [...]
Ranger Nikki will present a slideshow of common birds seen at Usery and in local suburban backyards. See some sample field guides and learn about birding apps that use visual and even sound cues to suggest identifications. (There is a separate hike prior to this indoor class to search for birds and their homes along [...]
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