Stop by this informal drop-in session to chat with Ranger Steve about the geological, cultural, and biological history of the Sonoran Desert. Stop by this informal presentation inside the Nature Center to chat with Ranger Steve about the history, culture, and biology of the Sonoran Desert. An interactive display will be available for visitors to [...]
Come join Ranger Steve for a magical evening of telescope viewing under the stars! Join Ranger Steve for a family-friendly stargazing session at the Nature Center at Usery Mountain Regional Park! Ranger Steve will be viewing a selection of celestial objects through a small telescope. Possibilities include the moon, planets, nebulae, or even star clusters. [...]
Invasive species are one of 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 mapping, and removing invasive species within the parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park's natural ecosystems and contributed [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy/moderate 2.2-mile loop hike along San Tan, Stargazer and Moonlight Trails to search for common wildflowers and flowering shrubs. Join Ranger Nikki on an easy/moderate 2.2-mile hike along San Tan, Stargazer and Moonlight Trails to search for common wildflowers and flowering shrubs of the Sonoran Desert, such as fiddleneck, filaree, [...]
Stop by this drop-in information session to chat with Ranger Nikki about Desert Defenders, a citizen science project focused on locating, mapping and removing invasive plant species within the County Parks system. Stop by to chat with Ranger Nikki about Desert Defenders, a citizen science project focused on locating, mapping and removing invasive plant species [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy/moderate 2.2-mile loop hike along San Tan, Stargazer and Moonlight Trails to search for common wildflowers and flowering shrubs. Join Ranger Nikki on an easy/moderate 2.2-mile hike along San Tan, Stargazer and Moonlight Trails to search for common wildflowers and flowering shrubs of the Sonoran Desert, such as fiddleneck, filaree, [...]
Join Ranger Steve for a late afternoon nature walk focused on learning about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem and sighting native wildlife. Want to watch the sunset with a great view? Want to learn more about the desert environment? Want to go for a splendid evening hike? If the answer is yes, then this hike is [...]
Meet on the south patio of the Nature Center for a bird walk with local experienced birder Joe Ford. Wear sturdy footwear and carry water. Bring binoculars and/or a camera if you have them. No pets, please. Classroom program to follow in the Nature Center. March 25, 2023 “Thrushes, and/or Parrots”
Join Ranger Kevin for an afternoon hike in search of seasonal beauty. Join Ranger Kevin for a roughly 3.5-mile hike along the Spur Cross and Dragonfly Loop Trails. We’ll be pausing to look at wildflowers and butterflies as well as a variety of desert plants and animals along the way. The trail is rated moderately [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for a leisurely Sunday evening walk timed to the “golden hour” prior to sunset. Join Ranger Kevin for a 1.8-mile hike along the Overton, Clay Mine and Go John Trails. We’ll go slow and pause frequently to look around, allowing us to savor the last hour of daylight and the wonderful desert [...]
Learn about the resident and migrant birds of desert riparian areas on this guided walk with Ranger Eric. Click on program title for more details. 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 [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for a morning hike along the banks of the Gila River. Join Ranger Kevin for a roughly 2-mile hike along the Plant Research Trail and the south bank of the Gila River. We’ll explore the riparian habitat for interesting plants and animals while we discuss the importance of rivers like the Gila [...]
Hassayampa River Preserve Trail Grooming Volunteers will assist park staff with trail raking and other light trail maintenance on 2.5 mile easy trail system. Work may also include pulling invasive weeds to help protect our native vegetation and reduce the threat of wildfire. Please meet at the Visitor Center for orientation and safety briefing. Work [...]
Come join Ranger Evan and this fun, family friendly hike through the desert! New to the Desert? Want to learn more about the desert environment? Want to go for a splendid hike? If the answer is yes, then this hike is perfect for you! Bring plenty of water and wear closed-toe shoes. Meet at the [...]
Homeschool Happenings: First Peoples Join Ranger Kevin for the homeschool program “First Peoples.” We’ll be exploring those who once lived in the area. We'll learn about the Hohokam and their descendants through stories, art and activities. We’ll also find out how they managed to build a great civilization over 1,000 years ago, long before cars, [...]
Look for desert and migratory birds with Ranger Eric! Click on program title for details. Learn about birds of Sonoran Desert and migrant birds on this walk with Ranger Eric. We will meet at the Beardsley Trailhead off of Beardsley CSR Rd., accessed on the north side of Hwy. 74 immediately east of the highway [...]
Invasive species are one of 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 mapping, and removing invasive species within the parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park's natural ecosystems and contributed [...]
Come join Ranger Evan for this fun, family friendly hike through the desert, and learn a whole lot about the wonderful cacti that surround us. What makes a cactus a cactus? How can plants survive scorching temperatures? Can you eat Cactus? Get the answers to these questions and more on Ranger Evan’s Crazy for Cacti [...]
Join Ranger Eric for a moderate 1.8-mile one-way hike up to Yavapai Point and back, with spectacular scenery along the way! Click on program title for details. Join Ranger Eric on a 1.8-mile one-way hike up the Yavapai Point Trail where we will be able to take in stunning views of the Sonoran Desert and [...]
Come join Ranger Evan and this fun, family friendly hike through the desert! Learn the basics of our incredible Sonoran Desert – from the powerful forces that combined to create our unique desert environment to the amazing adaptations of the plants and animals that live here. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring plenty of water; hats [...]
Look for desert and migratory birds with Ranger Eric on this easy to moderate hike! Click on program title for details. Join Ranger Eric to look for and learn about resident and migratory birds of the Sonoran Desert on this easy to moderate hike. We will meet at the Nature Center, then hike down nearby [...]
Invasive species are one of 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 mapping, and removing invasive species within the parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park's natural ecosystems and contributed [...]
Come join ranger Evan for this fun hike learning the basics of the Sonoran Desert! Join Ranger Evan for an easy to moderate hike up the 1.8-mile Waterfall Trail while learning about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem and the White Tank Mountains. We will meet at the trailhead for the Waterfall Trail, which has restrooms available. [...]
Join Ranger Eric for an easy 2.9-mile loop while learning about the desert. Click on program title for more details. Join Ranger Eric on a 2.9-mile loop hike of the North Trail while learning about the flora, fauna, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert. The hike is rated as easy, although some surfaces might be [...]
Snakes!! Scorpions!! Black Widows!! Are you scared yet? If you said yes, then this program is perfect for you to come learn the benefits of these critters, and why we would want to learn how to live with them. Limit 20 participants. To register, please call the White Tank Nature Center at (602) 506-2930 ext. 5. [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an afternoon hike in search of seasonal beauty. Join Ranger Kevin for a roughly 3-mile hike on the Blevins Trail. We’ll be pausing to look at wildflowers and butterflies as well as a variety of desert plants and animals along the way. The trail is rated easy with very little change [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an evening hike under the stars. Join Ranger Kevin for an approximately 2-mile loop on the Blevins and Noso Trails. Trail segments are rated easy, with little elevation change over the course of the hike. We’ll enjoy the beauty of a quiet outdoor evening, walking through a desert landscape silvered by [...]
Invasive species are one of 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 mapping, and removing invasive species within the parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park's natural ecosystems and contributed [...]
Learn about the resident and migrant birds of desert riparian areas on this guided walk with Anne Leight. Click on program title for more details. Did you know that over 300 species of birds have been found at the Hassayampa River Preserve? Enjoy an easy-paced walk with seasoned birder and bird bander Anne Leight to spot [...]
Take a fun yet challenging hike to the top of Goldmine Mountain with Ranger Evan. Click program title for more details. Are you a seasoned hiker but want to strengthen your understanding about the desert? Then this tough climb is for you! This is a difficult hike with about 1000 ft. elevation change. We will [...]
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