Lecture – From Rocks to Humans: Ecological Foundations

From Rocks to Humans: Ecological Foundations

Saturday, April 11, 2026,  2:30 PM to 4:00 PM

Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90 th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85258

We live in a stunning part of the Sonoran Desert, a unique and vibrant ecosystem. Despite high temperatures and limited rainfall, myriad species of plants and animals call this place home.
People, too, have lived here for thousands of years. Have you ever wondered how this ecosystem came to be, and how all the flora and fauna have adapted to live and thrive here?
And why organizations like the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy are working to protect vast portions from human impacts?

We’ll dive into the processes that shaped this desert landscape—how ecosystems are formed, how living things adapt to environmental challenges, and how humans have left such a deep
mark on the land in a short amount of time. We’ll introduce you to the core principles of ecology, from the rocks beneath our feet to the humans who now inhabit this landscape

RSVP below to let us know you are coming!