The Desert Solstice Track Invitational is an elite level event for record setting and as an ideal qualifier for the national 24 Hour team. This event is by invitation or qualification only. For the 24 Hour/100 Mile, entry is limited to 25 runners total. Qualification Standards and Entry Fees Runners meeting one of the listed qualifying [...]
Help count birds at the Hassayampa River Preserve or surrounding Wickenburg area for the Dec. 16 Hassayampa River Christmas Bird Count! Click on event title for more details. Would you like to go birding with others and help count birds for citizen science for a day near the northwest Valley? Then sign up for the Dec. [...]
During the weekend of camping, kids can experience many different fun activities. The activities vary depending on the park, participant ages, and weather conditions: Guided Hikes • Mountain Bike Clinic • Archery • Geocaching • Fishing Clinic • Live Animal Demonstrations • Campfire Stories • Presentations on Geography, Birding, Geology, Astronomy • Service Project.
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 [...]
There have been over 200 bird species seen at this water recharge facility, making this site one of the best birding spots in the east valley. This site has many rare birds. These free walks are sponsored by Desert Rivers Audubon, The Riparian Preserve of Gilbert, and Liberty Wildlife. We provide loaner binoculars, and expert [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy to moderate hike to learn about desert vegetation and enjoy a view of the Lake from Yavapai Point. Click program title for more details. Join Ranger Nikki for a moderate hike to learn cacti, legume trees and desert shrubs and observe a variety of birds, lizards and mammals. [...]
A ranch that was only rediscovered in 1990! The ranch was founded in 1873 by Newman Haynes "Old Man" Clanton. Over the years, it hosted a slew of ranch hands some more well known than others, like Ike Clanton, Johnny Ringo, Curly Bill Brocius, Pete Spence and Frank and Tom McLaury. Join a docent from [...]
The fly casting class is open to all members, whether you are have never cast a fly rod or would like to improve your casting skills. There will be FFI certified fly casting instructors there to work with you. If you do not have a fly rod or reel AFC will provide fly rods and [...]
The Desert looks different in the dark. Come along with Ranger Shaun and see how much. Click program title for more details. Ranger Shaun is returning to this morning’s trail for another hike. Come join him, or even better RE-join him! See how different the desert can be in the dark as we look along [...]
The nation's longest-running community science bird project fuels Audubon's work throughout the year. Each November, birders interested in participating in the CBC can sign up and join in through the Audubon website. From December 14 through January 5 each year tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part [...]
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 to sign a waiver and secure a spot. The 2-2.5 hours walk is behind locked gates and you must stay with [...]
Field Trip to Higley Ponds - Monday December 18th 7:30AM with our President Theona &/or Lois Higley Ponds is located on NEC off Higley Road and Ocotillo. The parking area is at the 1/2 mile north of Ocotillo. The ponds are frequented by a wide variety of shorebirds, hawks, hummingbirds, roadrunners, flycatchers, Abert’s Towhee and [...]
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 [...]
Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station table at the White Tank Nature Center. Nearby there are live examples of a variety of cacti to see on the trail next to the center. No registration required. Just drop in anytime between 11am-1pm! MEETING LOCATION: [...]
Join Ranger Eric to look for and learn about the resident and migratory birds of the Sonoran Desert on this easy to moderate hike. Along the way, we will discuss basic bird identification, ecology of the Sonoran Desert, and how birds are adapted to this arid environment. We will meet at the Area 2 Bajada [...]
Join Ranger Nikki to learn about plants that grow along the upper park trails and those that grow along lower areas along the creek. The route uses Spur Cross, Tortuga and Dragonfly trails and a short portion of roadway to return to the parking lot for a total of 4 miles. The terrain ranges from [...]
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 the natural world in greater depth is welcome. We will learn [...]
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 [...]
Join Friends of the Tonto NF in removing fountain and buffel grasses at Massacre Grounds Trailhead
Join Ranger Steve for an evening of stargazing and astronomy education! 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. [...]
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 to sign a waiver and secure a spot. The 2-2.5 hours walk is behind locked gates and you must stay with [...]
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..
Bird walk at the San Pedro House led by docents from the Friends of the San Pedro River and other local organizations.
Come hike the Scenic Trail with Ranger Shaun for a combination sunset-full moon hike. Scenic Trail is a 3.5-mile hike on a medium difficulty trail. Restrooms and water will be available at the trailhead. Sunscreen, plenty of water, and dressing in layers is recommended as the temperature may drop quickly after dark. Flashlights also encouraged. [...]
Ranger Nikki will lead you on a walk as the sun sets and the moon rises. The route follows the Service Road and Moonlight Trails for a 2.5 mile loop. Most of the route is level but there are portions of Moonlight Trail that are rocky and uneven with a moderate rating. Flashlight recommended. Wear [...]
Across the Years is the original fixed-time multi-day running event celebrating the New Year! Runners select their event and cover as much distance as possible. Each runner is free to walk, stop, eat, sleep whenever they wish, but the clock is always running! Starting December 28, we celebrate the traditions of pedestrianism and fixed-time racing with a [...]
Explore the Sonoran Desert with Ranger Nikki and learn about some of the plants and animals that you can see along the trails at Usery, including a variety of birds, reptiles, mammals, trees, shrubs and cacti. This is a family-friendly slow-paced stroll along the barrier-free Merkle Trail that is a 1-mile loop. The terrain is [...]
Explore the Sonoran Desert with Ranger Nikki and learn about some of the plants and animals that you can see along the trails at Usery, including a variety of birds, reptiles, mammals, trees, shrubs and cacti. This is a family-friendly slow-paced stroll along the barrier-free Merkle Trail that is a 1-mile loop. The terrain is [...]
Looking for something to do with the kids over winter break? You found it! Join Ranger Kevin for this 1-mile hike on the Rainbow Valley, Baseline and Toothaker trails. Prior to the hike, we’ll talk about the Junior Ranger program, set every young person up with their own activity book, and then we’ll actually do [...]
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