Estrella Park Bird Walk, Second Sat. of Each Month. Discover area birds, ID and habits in the Sonoran Desert. Meet at the Estrella Mountain Regional Park Nature Center. Program/Presentation in Nature Center to follow bird hike. Explore the Birds of Estrella Mountain Regional Park on a bird walk. The event(s) will take place on the [...]
This Homeschool Happenings event will focus on many kinds of animals like snakes, tarantulas, bats and Kangaroo rats that live in the Sonoran Desert. Come along on this learning adventure as we explore the reasons they spend their summer days sleeping, and their summer nights working (or is it lurking?). MEETING LOCATION: Classroom inside the [...]
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 to the health and diversity of desert life. The trail is mostly easy, but [...]
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 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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Join Ranger Steve in the lobby of the Estrella Mountain Nature Center for an interactive display of venomous animals and a discussion of their vital role in our ecosystem, “busting” myths about their behaviors, and have all your questions answered! Get hands on and hold items like snake skins, rattles, and even skeletons! No registration [...]
Bird Programs with Joe Ford in the Estrella Park Nature Center following the Bird Hikes. Program will start approximately 8:45 AM after the Bird Hike. Bird Program talk and Power Point Presentation with Joe Ford in the Estrella Park Nature Center following the Bird Hikes. Topics cover bird images, habits, maps, details and bird life. Program [...]
Estrella Park Bird Walk, Second Sat. of Each Month. Discover area birds, ID and habits in the Sonoran Desert. Meet at the Estrella Mountain Regional Park Nature Center. Program/Presentation in Nature Center to follow bird hike. Explore the Birds of Estrella Mountain Regional Park on a bird walk. The event(s) will take place on the [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an approximately 1.5-mile night hike on the Quail Trail. 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, with some loose rock/uneven [...]
Join Rangers Eric and Steve 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 access the Butterfield Trail starting from Toothaker Trail and hike 1-2 miles roundtrip, depending on heat and participant interest. The hiking terrain [...]
Join Ranger Steve in the Nature Center for a drop-in informational session about the venomous creatures that inhabit the Sonoran Desert! Learn about popular myths surrounding rattlesnakes, Gila Monsters, and even meet a few of our wildlife ambassadors! MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center No registration required. Just drop in anytime between 12pm and 2pm!
The hike will cover 3.6 miles on both the Gila and Baseline trails. This hike is rated as moderate due to the several inclines over the course of the hike. Plan to walk on rocky and sandy trail it is encouraged that you water supportive shoes and if inclines or declines are an issue for [...]
Join Ranger Nikki for a talk about our desert’s majestic saguaro cacti. Learn about their life cycle from tiny seed to fallen skeleton and all the beneficial things it provides in between. This program will take place inside the Nature Center and venture outside a short distance for firsthand observations. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy hike to learn about a variety of cacti: saguaros, barrels, cholla, prickly pear and more. The route is approximately 2 miles long and follows Rainbow Valley, Baseline, Toothaker, and a portion of Butterfield to make a loop using the Arena parking lot. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a hat, [...]
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 to the health and diversity of desert life. The trail is easy with very [...]
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 water and snacks to this indoor classroom presentation. Restrooms and water are [...]
Learn about the adaptations and life cycles of plants and animals of our Sonoran Desert on a moderate to easy hike with Ranger Nikki. The route is just over 2 miles and follows Quail, Saddle, Baseline and Gila Trails and part of Casey Abbott Drive (paved) back to the Nature Center. Wear closed-toe shoes and [...]
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 perfect for you! Join Ranger Evan as we hike along the quail and baseline trails for a total 2.2 miles. Wear [...]
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. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center Limit 15 participants. To register, please call the Nature Center at (602) [...]
Join Ranger Evan on a 2-mile moderate hike to learn all about cacti: saguaro, cholla, prickly pear, barrel and more. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center Limit 20 participants. To register, please call the Nature Center at (602) 506-2930 ext. 6 with your name, phone number and [...]
A discover station with real samples of cacti, as well as pictures of fruits and flowers, will be on display for several hours in the Nature Center. A ranger will be present to answer any of your Sonoran Desert questions. Coloring pages will also be available for kids to take home. No registration required, just [...]
Join Ranger Derik on the 2.6-mile Baseline Trail. We will be meeting at the Nature Center and heading out as a group from there. The trail is rocky and uneven so it is encouraged that everyone wear sturdy close toed shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather. The nature center has bathrooms and well as [...]
This Homeschool Happenings event will focus on many different kinds of cactus that live in the Sonoran Desert. Come along on this learning adventure as we explore the things that make cactus special and how they help the other desert plants and animals survive. Then we’ll head outside on a cactus safari and see how [...]
Join Ranger Kevin for an approximately 2.6-mile hike along the Gila, Baseline, Toothaker and Horseshoe Trails. We’ll be pausing to admire and sing the praises of the saguaros, chollas, barrels (and more!) that grow in this part of the Sonoran Desert on this, National Cactus Day. We’ll also talk about some of the amazing adaptations [...]
Join Ranger Nikki to learn all about desert tortoises and watch Tierra the Tortoise enjoy her breakfast. Learn all about desert tortoises during an indoor class and activity session with Ranger Nikki. You can also watch as Estrella’s resident tortoise ambassador, Tierra, enjoys her leafy green breakfast. Meeting Location: Nature Center Classroom Limit 25 participants. [...]
Join Ranger Nikki for a 3-mile hike on the easy to moderate terrain to learn about a variety of plant life, including brittlebush and bursage shrubs, cacti and legume trees. The route follows Butterfield, Dysart and Coldwater Trails. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Restrooms are available at the trailhead [...]
Ranger Nikki shares a display of desert plants that have been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Click on program title for more details. Stop by the Nature Center to see a display of desert plants that have been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Learn about common plants such as brittlebush, bursage, creosote and [...]
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