Join Ranger Derik for an after-hours 1-1.5 miles 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 [...]
“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 [...]
Enjoy a 2.6-mile hike on the Cottonwood Trail with Ranger Kevin as we look for all kinds of wildlife along the way. Some animals we may see include mule deer, javelina, squirrels, rabbits, birds and perhaps a reptile or two. Trail is rated easy, with very little loose rock, uneven terrain and elevation change. Please [...]
The Arizona Chapter of SCI invites you to join us at the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge Group Campsite for the General Javelina Hunt in Units 36A, 36B, 36C. Come out and enjoy the comradery and campfire at the Group Campsite that has 38 designated campsites for trailer and tent camping. The hunt numbers to [...]
Join us as we take in the sights from the summit of Lone Mountain. This property is privately owned and protected by a conservation easement. It is not open to the public, so this is a unique opportunity to visit this beautiful preserve! This 2 mile hike is moderately difficult with several hundred feet of [...]
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 [...]
Stop by the Nature Center and chat about venomous animals. What does venomous mean? What is it? Where does it come from? What does it do? Can I have some? Answer these questions and more with Ranger Shaun! MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center No registration required.
Welcome to the sport of Flying! If you have ever wanted to learn how to get into one of the most challenging, yet rewarding methods of fishing, then this class is for you! Participant will learn the basics of equipment, rigging lines and flys, and the most challenging part... casting your fly! All equipment will [...]
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 [...]
We will hike the Wind Cave Trail with 800ft of elevation and at a distance of 3 miles it is rated as difficult. The trail is steep and rocky, so it is encouraged you bring proper footwear and if balance is an issue trekking poles are great to have. Please bring plenty of water and [...]
The areas all along Cave Creek Wash are abundant in desert flora and fauna and steeped in history. P.A. Seitts Preserve at Go John Canyon is no exception. The preserve not only holds a sensitive riparian habitat, it is also rich in archaeology, mining, and ranching history. Join us as we explore this preserve in [...]
A discovery table will be set up in the Nature Center and will have several snake species on display for you to see and if you are brave to hold. Also on display will be many natural artifacts including snake skins, snake sheds, rattles, and a gila monster skeleton. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center No registration [...]
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. Please bring plenty of water. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and closed toed shoes. [...]
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 experienced birder Joe Ford for a morning bird walk followed by a special presentation! Please leave pets at home. MEETING LOCATION: South Patio of the Nature Center Program to follow in the Nature Center “Most Dangerous Birds in the World”. If you would like to attend the Lecture only, please let the Nature Center [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
It’s back! Join Rangers Kevin and Derik for a day of hiking from Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area to Cave Creek Regional Park. Trail is approximately 11 miles in length, and utilizes the Spur Cross, Maricopa, and Go John trails. Trail conditions are rated moderate to difficult, so expect a considerable amount of loose rock, [...]
It’s back! Join Rangers Derik and Kevin for a day of hiking from Cave Creek Regional Park to Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. Trail is approximately 11 miles in length, and utilizes the Go John, Maricopa, and Spur Cross trails. Trail conditions are rated moderate to difficult, so expect a considerable amount of loose rock, [...]
Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead – 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Time: ~2.5 hours Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to learn about mountain lions that live in the Preserve. Mountain Lions, also known in North America as the puma, cougar, catamount or panther live in the Preserve. They are almost [...]
City of Yuma's Annual Spring Archery Tournament!! Open to all archers aged 8 and up. Come and compete to see who will be the best archers in Yuma! Participants will be competing in divisions determined by age. Archers must choose either the morning or the afternoon session. Participating in both sessions is not allowed. Archers [...]
Game and Fish will provide an update on current eagle populations and management in Arizona. Also, a quick update on the status of Eagles in the White Mountains area and what people can do for eagles. Documentary “The Weight of a Feather” produced by PBS and narrated by Peter Coyote, which describes the non-eagle feather [...]
Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead – 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and [...]
About the Event Put on your camouflage and boots and head over to the Gilbert Outdoors Expo at the Riparian Preserve. You will have a chance to brush up on various outdoor activities and learn some new skills! Go fishing, explore wildlife, shop local hunting gear, and much more. This free event will draw exhibitors [...]
This ride is longer and more intense than our other rides, tracking the perimeter of the northern Preserve. This is a difficult skill and a vigorous cardio ride. Location: Pima Dynamite Trailhead – 28777 N Pima Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~30 miles Time: ~5 hours Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or [...]
Take a walk to the ruins of the historic Grand Central Mill. During the Tombstone silver boom, this stamp mill operated 24 hours a day, processing the ore brought in from Tombstone by wagon. Learn about the mining history of the area and take a three-mile round trip walk to the mill site. This walk [...]
Nature lovers, rejoice! Families and nature lovers are encouraged to enjoy the great outdoors at a new and exciting location - Estrella Mountain Regional Park. This festival showcases the plants, animals, sustainability, and ecological relationships of our local nature area. Between guided bird tours, beautiful eco-crafts, and endless discoveries to be made about Southwest wildlife, there is something for everyone to enjoy [...]
If you think Waterfall trail is nice in the daylight, you should see the white rocks in the full moon! Feel free to hike with Ranger Shaun on this 1.8-mile easy rated hike. Water and restrooms are available at the trailhead. Flashlights recommended for obvious reasons. Blacklights and dressing in layers encouraged as February nights [...]
Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead – 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Preserve is located in one of the most biodiverse areas of the Sonoran Desert. Learn about the plant life that thrives in this area. Note: If you have the iNaturalist application on your phone, it [...]
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