Join Ranger Nikki for a fun bat chat to bust some popular myths and set the record straight on an important member of our desert ecosystem. Learn where bats live, what they eat, why you shouldn’t be afraid of them and more! Bring your water to this indoor presentation. Restrooms and water are available at [...]
Learn about desert mammals with Ranger Nikki during this informal drop-in session. See pelts and skulls that hint at adaptations that allow these animals to survive and thrive in our extreme desert environment. Stop by any time between 1:00 and 3:00pm. Be sure to bring your water with you. Restrooms and water are available at [...]
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. Look for Ranger Kevin at Ramada 13 in the Picnic Loop Area anytime between 6:00pm and 7:30pm. No registration required, just drop on [...]
McDowell Mountain Summer Night Rides are back! In partnership with McDowell Mountain Cycles, we are excited to invite riders of all levels and abilities to come out and experience the trails! Rides are scheduled for the following dates: June 3, June 17, July 8, July 15, Aug 5 & Aug 19. Rides subject to cancel [...]
Join Ranger Steve for a roughly 2-mile sunset/twilight hike on the easy terrain of the Waterfall Trail. We’ll be searching for nocturnal Sonoran Desert wildlife such as snakes, scorpions, spiders, and more! Please wear hard-soled shoes or boots, bring plenty of water, and don’t forget a flashlight or UV light if you have one! Trails [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an easy walk on the 1-Mile Loop Path. We will be looking for all three species of scorpion native to our neck of the Sonoran Desert: Striped-tail, Bark, and, of course, the Giant Desert Hairy. Who knows what else we may see? Trail is rated easy and is mostly paved. Please [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an approximately 2-mile hike on the Rock Peak Wash Trail. The hike will be on the easy, but sandy, terrain of a desert wash. We will be on the lookout for a variety of Sonoran Desert wildlife, from birds to reptiles to mammals. Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, and bring plenty [...]
Learn all about our ssssuper sssspecial friendsssss at the World Snake Day Discovery Station. Bring your questions and your curiosity. Come chat with Ranger Kevin about our native Sonoran Desert snakes while exploring a range of snake artifacts. Find out what a rattlesnake's rattle is made of and how it works. Best of all, meet some of our amazing Animal Ambassadors! Come [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an approximately 2.7-mile hike on the Pass Mountain, Cat Peaks, Meridian and Blevins Trails. Trails are rated moderate, with some elevation change as well as stretches of loose rock and/or uneven terrain. We will be on the lookout for a variety of Sonoran Desert wildlife, from birds to reptiles to mammals. [...]
Your students will get to touch live snakes, learn about the differences between poisonous and venomous, see snake skins/sheds, learn to identify snakes and ask questions. A table will also be set up with other natural history samples collected from around the Maricopa County Park system. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center Limit 25 participants. To register, [...]
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 11:00am to 12:30pm. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center classroom No registration required. Just stop by anytime [...]
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 4 miles on sections of the San Tan, Moonlight, and Gold Mine trails together the route is rated as moderate. The trails are rocky, sandy, and uneven make sure to wear proper footwear and bling plenty of water. Bathrooms and a water fountain are available at the nature center. MEETING LOCATION: We [...]
A discovery station will be set up in the critter room of the Nature Center. There will be guidebooks and a variety of natural and cultural artifacts found in the Maricopa County Park system. A ranger will be available to answer your burning desert questions. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center No registration required. Just stop by [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on a 2-mile easy to moderate hike to learn about our fascinating Sonoran Desert and how plants and animals survive, particularly during the summer. The route is an out-and-back on Tortoise and Hilltop Trails. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. Restrooms and water are available at the Nature [...]
Learn about desert mammals with Ranger Nikki during this informal drop-in session. See pelts and skulls that hint at adaptations that allow these animals to survive and thrive in our extreme desert environment. Stop by any time between 9:30 and 10:30am. Be sure to bring your water with you. Restrooms and water are available at [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an easy 2-mile night hike on the Palm Lake, Willow Walkway, Mesquite Meander and River Ramble trails. We will be looking for all three species of scorpion native to our neck of the Sonoran Desert: Striped-tail, Bark, and, of course, the Giant Desert Hairy. Who knows what else we may see? [...]
Join Ranger Steve for a roughly 2-mile sunset/twilight hike on the easy terrain of the Roadrunner Trail. We’ll be searching for nocturnal Sonoran Desert wildlife such as snakes, scorpions, spiders, and more! Please wear hard-soled shoes or boots, bring plenty of water, and don’t forget a flashlight or UV light if you have one! Trails [...]
Join Ranger Eric to look for and learn about the nocturnal animals on this guided hike. 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 Slate and Flume Trails. The hike will be on easy, but occasionally [...]
Have you ever wanted to explore the desert at night? The waterfall trail is a paved for most of the distance and offers great views of the White Tank Mountains, as well as amazing plants and animals. While we will not be able to see the waterfall (which rarely runs this time of year), we [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy 2-mile hike to learn about and look for flowers and fruit of various cacti including saguaros, barrels, prickly pears, cholla and hedgehogs. The route follows the easy terrain of Horseshoe and Gila Trails. Bring plenty of water and wear closed toe shoes, a hat and sunscreen. Restrooms and water are [...]
Join Ranger Eric for an easy-paced, guided walk along the Preserve trails to learn about the plants, animals, ecology, and history of the Hassayampa River Preserve. Please wear sun protection and carry ample water. Binoculars are available to borrow at the Visitor Center. We will hike about 1 mile on mostly flat, but occasionally sandy [...]
Join Ranger Nikki for a talk about the many types of snakes that inhabit our Valley region of the Sonoran Desert. From the ubiquitous Western Diamondback Rattlesnake to constrictors such as the gopher snake, coachwhip, Western Patch-nosed and more, become familiar with the characteristics, habitats and behaviors to help you understand their important place in [...]
Join Ranger Steve for a Friday “lunch and learn” presentation in the Nature 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: Nature Center classroom Limit 15 participants. To register, please [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike along the Dragonfly Trail at Spur Cross and adjacent Jewel of the Creek Preserve to look for birds of the Sonoran Desert and riparian habitats. Along the way, we will discuss identification tips by sight and sound for birds, as well as their ecological roles. We will hike [...]
Learn about the adaptations and life cycles of plants and animals of our Sonoran Desert on an easy/moderate hike with Ranger Nikki. The approximate 2-mile is an out-and-back hike on Mule Deer Trail. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Restrooms and water are available at the Nature Center. Meeting [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike along the aptly-named Dragonfly Trail at Spur Cross and adjacent Jewel of the Creek Preserve to look for dragonflies and damselflies of Sonoran Desert riparian habitats. Along the way, we will discuss identification tips of dragonflies and damselflies, and talk about their ecological roles. At least 50 species [...]
Join Ranger Nikki for a fun bat chat to bust some popular myths and set the record straight on an important member of our desert ecosystem. Learn where bats live, what they eat, why you shouldn’t be afraid of them and more! Wear closed-toe shoes and bring plenty of water. Restrooms and water are available [...]
Interested in learning more about cacti? Then come on by to chat with Ranger Eric and see examples of the cacti diversity of the Sonoran Desert. Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station table at the Cave Creek Nature Center. Nearby there are live [...]
Join Ranger Steve in the lobby of the Lake Pleasant Discovery Center for an interactive display of various rocks, gems, and minerals native to our Sonoran Desert. Get hands on and hold items like basalt, quartz, obsidian, and malpais! Learn how volcanism, plate tectonics, and erosion shaped our landscape. MEETING LOCATION: Discovery Center No registration [...]
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