Watch peak vulture and raptor migration from the pedestrian bridge over the Hassayampa River in Wickenburg at this free, family-friendly event! Did you know that Wickenburg is situated along a major migration route for vultures and hawks? Witness the amazing spectacle of hundreds of migrating turkey vultures flying in to roost in the tallest trees [...]
Desert Foothills Land Trust presents a beginner-friendly hike at The Caroline Bartol Preserve at Saguaro Hill (at Desert Foothills Library). This easy one-mile walk introduces hiking basics while exploring native desert flora and fauna. Perfect for newcomers seeking to discover the wonders of our local desert. Meet at the Waterfall Terrace at Desert Foothills Library [...]
Desert Foothills Land Trust is excited to present our Spring 2025 Focus on the Foothills Field Course! Join DFLT staff, volunteers, and conservation field professionals for a unique, on-the-land learning opportunity. From Black Mountain to Skull Mesa, the mountains surrounding our area help provide a clue to the past. Steve Jones and Kathy Pedrick will [...]
Desert Foothills Land Trust presents a beginner-friendly hike at The Caroline Bartol Preserve at Saguaro Hill (at Desert Foothills Library). This easy one-mile walk introduces hiking basics while exploring native desert flora and fauna. Perfect for newcomers seeking to discover the wonders of our local desert. Meet at the Waterfall Terrace at Desert Foothills Library [...]
DFLT is excited to partner with the Franciscan Renewal Center for their Faith and Science Speaker Series! Bryan Hughes of Rattlesnake Solutions will present "Rattlesnakes: Fact and Fiction." Few animals spawn mythology like rattlesnakes do. Whether you're new to Arizona, just visiting, or have lived here for years you're sure to have heard misinformation about [...]
Come with us as we explore the streamside habitat of New River Nature Reserve. This preserve is home to a lush riparian habitat that contains many tree species unique to the desert including cottonwoods, sycamore, walnuts, and more! We'll look for the many bird species that call this place home. This hike is approximately 1 [...]
The Holland Center and Desert Foothills Land Trust invite the community to an exciting evening of discovery at the upcoming Foothills Speaker Series event, "Wildland Fire." Have you ever wondered how wildfires are managed in our unique Sonoran Desert landscape? Join us for an illuminating evening with wildland fire ecologists from Tonto National Forest, as [...]
Desert Foothills Land Trust presents a beginner-friendly hike at The Caroline Bartol Preserve at Saguaro Hill (at Desert Foothills Library). This easy one-mile walk introduces hiking basics while exploring native desert flora and fauna. Perfect for newcomers seeking to discover the wonders of our local desert. Meet at the Waterfall Terrace at Desert Foothills Library [...]
Desert Foothills Land Trust presents a beginner-friendly hike at The Caroline Bartol Preserve at Saguaro Hill (at Desert Foothills Library). This easy one-mile walk introduces hiking basics while exploring native desert flora and fauna. Perfect for newcomers seeking to discover the wonders of our local desert. Meet at the Waterfall Terrace at Desert Foothills Library [...]
Join us for an inspiring afternoon with Vicki Preston, President and CEO of Desert Foothills Land Trust, as she shares her passion for protecting one of North America's most unique and fragile ecosystems. Discover how Arizona's land management shapes conservation efforts, learn about private land preservation strategies, and explore ways to protect this irreplaceable ecosystem. [...]
Join us for Carefree Under the Stars—a stargazing event in partnership with the Focus Astronomy Outreach organization. On Monday, May 5 from 8 - 10 p.m. in the Our Lady of Joy parking lot experience the wonders of the night sky through telescopes in this fun, hands-on evening under the stars. Bring your own chairs, [...]
It's Bug Night at Jewel of the Creek Preserve! We're exploring the desert after dark, with a special focus on our smaller insect friends. Search for moths, scorpions, tarantulas, and other nighttime wildlife as we discover a whole new side to the desert. Registration is required, link the comments! Jewel of the Creek Preserve is [...]
It's Bug Night at Jewel of the Creek Preserve! We're exploring the desert after dark, with a special focus on our smaller insect friends. Search for moths, scorpions, tarantulas, and other nighttime wildlife as we discover a whole new side to the desert. Register Here! Jewel of the Creek Preserve is a 1-mile, moderate loop. [...]
Join Desert Foothills Land Trust and PHX Beer Co for "Rattlesnakes: Fact and Fiction," presented by Bryan Hughes, owner and founder of Rattlesnake Solutions This free, all-ages event offers a unique opportunity to get up close with live rattlesnakes while learning to separate fact from fiction about these widely misunderstood Arizona natives. Whether you're new [...]
Join the Desert Foothills Land Trust for a friendly, beginner-focused hike at The Caroline Bartol Preserve at Saguaro Hill (located at Desert Foothills Library)! This easy one-mile walk is perfect for newcomers, offering a chance to explore the beauty of our local desert, native plants, and wildlife while learning basic hiking tips. 🥾🌞 Details: Meeting [...]
Step into the wild with Desert Foothills Land Trust and acclaimed wildlife photographer Bruce Taubert on Thursday, October 30th at 6:00 PM at the Carefree Desert Gardens Pavilion. From the delicate wings of desert bees to the sweeping flight of bats and the quiet power of Arizona’s black bears, Taubert has spent years capturing the [...]
Step into the desert outdoors for half an hour of captivating storytelling, then stretch your legs with a scenic walk through the nearby Saguaro Hill Preserve. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the desert while learning about the natural and cultural history of this unique landscape. Be sure to bring water, sun protection, and a [...]
Discover the incredible parks and recreational opportunities right in your backyard at our November 4th Foothills Speaker Series event, "Your Community Parks." Join us at 6 PM at the Holland Center for an evening with park leaders Sarah Webber (Arizona State Parks and Trails), Jennifer Waller (Maricopa County Parks), and Claire Miller (City of Phoenix [...]
Join Dr. Aaron Wright from Archaeology Southwest for an enlightening history lecture on Native American petroglyph art. Explore the fascinating symbols and imagery created centuries before the United States was formed and learn about the cultural, spiritual, and historical significance of these ancient works. This presentation offers a unique opportunity to connect with the voices [...]
Join Dr. Aaron Wright of Archaeology Southwest on November 11th at 6 PM (Valley of the Sun J, Scottsdale) to learn about petroglyphs and pictographs made by Indigenous peoples across the Southwest. Instead of just asking what the petroglyphs mean, Dr. Wright will look at how they were used by the people who created them [...]
🌵 Desert Discovery Day – November 15, 2025 🌵 Join us for Desert Discovery Day on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Jewel of the Creek Preserve in Cave Creek! This FREE family-friendly event, hosted by Desert Foothills Land Trust, invites you to explore the Sonoran Desert ecosystem through: [...]
Cancelled due to threat of rain! Join us for a full day of exploration, learning, and fun at the Sonoran Desert during our 13th annual Desert Discovery Day! This family-friendly event is packed with hands-on activities, games, and educational experiences that let you discover the plants, animals, and unique landscapes of this incredible desert ecosystem. [...]
Join Dr. Aaron Wright for a captivating lecture commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Anza Expedition of 1775. Dive into the fascinating history of the trails and settlements that shaped the journeys of Spanish explorers and the communities of indigenous peoples they encountered. This talk will explore the interactions, challenges, and lasting impacts of the [...]
Join us for an extraordinary evening under the desert sky at the Sonoran Speaker Series: Starry Desert Nights on Tuesday, December 2nd at 6:00 PM at the Holland Center. Jenny Hall from Paradise Valley Community College will take you on a fascinating journey through the science of stars, unraveling the mysteries of our universe in [...]
How long do saguaros really live? Can you tell their age by counting their arms? Join us for an exciting evening learning about Arizona's famous saguaro cactus! Ali Schuessler from the Desert Botanical Garden will uncover the amazing adaptations these amazing desert giants, discuss common misconceptions, and share the research being done to better understand [...]
Who are you calling a pig? Javelina, also known as Collared Peccaries, are actually not pigs, even though they are commonly confused with them. Join us and learn more about these highly sociable, widely distributed, and often seen animals here in Arizona! We will talk about their history, behavior, adaptations, and practical tips for peaceful coexistence [...]
Did you know Arizona is home to 29 amazing bat species? These incredible animals do far more than flutter through the night sky—they protect our crops, pollinate desert plants, and help keep our ecosystems healthy and thriving. Whether you’re a lifelong bat enthusiast or someone who’s still a little unsure about our nocturnal neighbors, this [...]
Join Desert Foothills Land Trust for a magical outdoor screening of Cactus Hotel, set beneath the wide-open skies of the Sonoran Desert. Inspired by the beloved children’s book Welcome to the Cactus Hotel, this charming film brings to life one towering saguaro cactus and the bustling community of desert creatures who call it home. From [...]
Did you know Arizona was once covered by oceans, rocked by volcanoes, and reshaped again and again over nearly 2 billion years? Join Dr. Steve Semken of Arizona State University for a fascinating, story-driven journey through the forces that built the landscapes we love today. With stunning visuals and easy-to-follow storytelling, you’ll travel through deep [...]
Modern medical science has achieved remarkable breakthroughs—from organ transplants to gene therapy—but some of the most promising innovations are coming from an unexpected source: venom. In this fascinating talk led by Dr. Ken Sweat of Arizona State University, we’ll explore how compounds that evolved to harm can be harnessed to heal. Discover how venom from [...]
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