Explore the Sonoran Desert with Ranger Nikki and learn about some of the plants and animals that you can see along the trails at Usery, including a variety of birds, reptiles, mammals, trees, shrubs and cacti. This is a family-friendly slow-paced stroll along the barrier-free Merkle Trail that is a 1-mile loop. The terrain is [...]
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 [...]
Learn how to identify common desert and backyard birds with Ranger Eric at this stationary program at the Nature Center. Click on program title for more details. Join Ranger Eric at the Usery Nature Center to watch birds around the feeders and learn bird identification basics, field guides and apps, and citizen science. Chairs will [...]
Learn all about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem during this guided hike with Ranger Eric. Click on program title for more details. Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the animals, plants, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert. This is generally the last time of year to find reptiles active, so we may [...]
Stop by this drop-in session with Ranger Nikki to learn about common desert mammals such as coyotes, foxes and bobcats. Learn about desert mammals with Ranger Nikki during this informal drop-in session. See pelts and skulls and learn about adaptations that allow these animals to survive and thrive in our extreme desert environment. Stop [...]
Learn about the fascinating plant life in our Sonoran Desert on an easy to moderate hike with Ranger Nikki. Click program title for more details. Join Ranger Nikki on this 3-mile hike to learn about desert plants, shrubs and legume trees including bursage, palo verde and creosote. The route follows NoSo, Levee and Blevins Trails. [...]
Join Ranger Nikki for an easy evening walk to enjoy the sunset and watch nocturnal animals become active along Merkle Trail. We may see coyotes, owls, snakes, tarantulas, scorpions and more! The route uses Merkle Trail, which is rated as barrier-free and is a wide, mostly level pathway. The Merkle loop is one mile and [...]
Learn about saguaro cacti with Ranger Nikki during this informal drop-in session. Discover cool facts about their lifecycle from tiny seed to first arm to towering heights and its return to the earth potentially 200 years later. Stop by any time between 5:30 and 6:30pm. (A sunset/critter walk takes place immediately after this. See separate [...]
We will hike 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 you are encouraged bring proper footwear and trekking poles are great to have. Please bring plenty of water and a flashlight with fresh batteries. MEETING LOCATION: [...]
Ranger Nikki will present a slideshow of common birds seen at Usery and in local suburban backyards. See some sample field guides and learn about birding apps that use visual and even sound cues to suggest identifications. (There is a separate hike prior to this indoor class to search for birds and their homes along [...]
Watch for birds on a 2-mile hike with Ranger Nikki on easy trails near the Nature Center and see if you can spot their homes camouflaged among the cholla cacti and trees. You can also learn about ways to help with bird identification using books and apps. (This hike is followed by a separate indoor [...]
This hike will cover 2.6 miles of the Lost Sheep Trail and is rated as easy. We will be walking on mostly sandy and uneven ground so make sure to wear proper shoes. During they hike you will be able to learn about the many native plant and animal species that call the Sonoran Desert [...]
A discovery station will be set up in the nature center. On display will be a variety of native plants collected from the park system that have either edible or medicinal properties. A ranger will be available to answer your questions and to identify they plants you have found during your hikes in the parks. [...]
Look for and learn about the nocturnal animals on this guided hike with Ranger Eric. 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 Blevins and Amigos Wash Trails. The hike will be on easy, but sandy [...]
Maricopa County Parks and Recreation is hosting its first-ever Seed Bomb Workshop on July 27, 2023, from 8:00 am until 11:30 am at Usery Mountain Regional Park Nature Center. What is that you ask? That is an event we get together and create seed bombs with native seed that was collected in the parks, add clay and compost. [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy to moderate terrain hike to learn about adaptations and survival strategies of many of the plants and animals in our Sonoran Desert. The 2-mile route follows the easy terrain of Merkle Trail and ventures onto moderate Blevins and a short portion of sand in Crismon Wash. Wear closed-toe shoes [...]
Learn about the saguaro life cycle from tiny seed to fallen skeleton and all of 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 a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Restrooms and water [...]
See a variety of cacti and riparian plants near the wash as you hike with Ranger Nikki on easy to moderate trails. The route will be about 2 miles and use NoSo and portions of Blevins and Crismon Wash Trails. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. Restrooms and water are available [...]
Stop by the Nature Center to see a display of insect specimens presented by Ranger Nikki. You can see and learn about cool arthropods such as butterflies, beetles, spiders, scorpions and more! Bring your water to this indoor drop-in session. Restrooms and water are available at the Nature Center. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center Classroom No [...]
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy to moderate hike to look for critters such as birds perched in cacti and lizards and small mammals darting among the trees and shrubs. The route will be 2.5 miles and follow Blevins east and loop around Cat Peaks Pass. Blevins Trail is mostly flat and Cat Peak Pass [...]
A discovery table will be set up in the critter room in the Nature Center. The table will include natural history artifacts including cactus skeletons, insects, bones, as well as native American artifacts. You will have the opportunity to hold a snake and get up close to several other desert natives. Coloring pages will be [...]
The hike will cover 2.6 miles on the Blevins trail. This hike is rated as easy, 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 you take along some trekking poles. Please bring your own flashlights and blacklights if [...]
Want to get a good work out and learn a lot? If the answer is yes, then this program is perfect for you. Join Ranger Evan for a splendid 3.0-mile hike through the desert on Wind Cave Trail! On this difficult level hike, we will be discussing the unique ecology of the Sonoran Desert, adaptations [...]
Join Ranger Evan for an exciting evening hike along the park Trails. We’ll be hoping to see all sorts of critters of the night! The trail is rated easy-moderate with some rocky, uneven surfaces and some elevation change. Please bring water and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Bring flashlights and black lights if you have them; [...]
Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Evan will host this discovery station table at the Usery Nature Center. Nearby there are live examples of a variety of cacti to see on the trail next to the center. No registration required. Just drop in anytime between 12pm and 2pm!
Join Ranger Steve for an easy 1-mile hike on the Merkle Trail to look for nocturnal Sonoran Desert wildlife! Wildlife seen on previous hikes includes snakes, lizards, owls, coyotes, javelina, bobcats, tarantulas, scorpions, and more! Please bring plenty of water, as mid-June temperatures are going to be hot, even after dark. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes [...]
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