McDowell Sonoran Conservancy

Sonoran Desert 101 - Educational Walk
2025-10-18 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Phoenix) | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Sonoran Desert 101 at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead
This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive.
Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Brown's Ranch Stories - Educational Walk
2025-10-23 08:00 - 09:30 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Brown’s Ranch Stories at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead
Join us on a half mile 90-minute walk on the Jane Rau trail where we will talk about the people and events that shaped the history of the Brown’s Ranch area. We will discuss the Indigenous people who lived here, the role of the military in the region, the ranching history of the region and some of the people who laid the groundwork for what Brown’s Ranch is today.
Please arrive 15 minutes start of the walk. Restrooms and water at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs, please.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Predators and Prey - Educational Walk
2025-10-25 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-01-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, United States
Predators and Prey – Balancing the Ecosystem at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead
Join us for a fascinating two-hour leisurely walk exploring the dynamic relationship between predators and prey. Discover how desert animals like coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, raptors, and snakes have evolved to hunt, and how their prey—such as deer and rodents—have adapted to survive.
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Restrooms and water at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs, please.
Space is limited! Please Save your spot with the RSVP below.

Boojada Adventure - Educational Walk
2025-10-30 08:00 - 10:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Boojada Adventure Walk at Gateway Trailhead
When you think about Halloween, it’s normal to think of spooky and scary symbols like spiders, spider webs, and bats. But if you learn a little more about these creatures in the Sonoran Desert, you may discover that there is not much to be afraid of! So, join us while we turn Halloween on its head and discuss all things related to our spooky Sonoran Desert.
Bathrooms and water are available at the trailhead. No dogs please. Bring water for the trail. Arrive 15 minutes before the walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Sonoran Desert 101 - Educational Walk
2025-11-01 09:00 - 11:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Sonoran Desert 101 – The Hidden Desert at Fraesfield Trailhead.
Walking through the desert gives you half the story. There is a hidden world of nocturnal critters. If you look carefully, you can see the evidence of their middens, burrows, and holes. What else is concealed around you? Let us unlock those mysteries on the Camino Campana Trail and reveal the hidden desert.
Restrooms are available at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Bird Walk
2025-11-02 08:00 - 10:00 | Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Bird Walk at Granite Mountain Trailhead.
Join our bird experts on this 2-hour walk for a good chance to see some of our year-round bird residents such as: cactus wren, Gila woodpecker, ladder-backed woodpecker, Harris’s hawk, verdin or Say’s phoebe – as well as some seasonal arrivals.
Restrooms available at the trailhead, but no water. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Bring your binoculars. Arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Geology Along the Campana Trail - Educational Walk
2025-11-06 09:00 - 11:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Geology Along the Campana Trail at Fraesfield Trailhead.
This two-hour, leisurely-paced guided walk will highlight some of the geologic features visible from the Camino Campana Trail. We’ll discuss the rocks, landscape, and geologic history with reference to how they influence the climate, ecology and human history of the region.
No dogs please. Restrooms are available at the trailhead but no water. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Walk Like a Tortoise - Educational Walk
2025-11-08 09:00 - 11:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Walk Like a Tortoise Educational Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
Join us as we learn about and look for signs of the Sonoran Desert Tortoise. This leisurely walk of less than 1 mile on the Jane Rau Trail will give us plenty of time to tell stories about the tortoise. We will talk about their history, how they survive, how they play host to so many other animals, and the research that the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy is doing to learn more about them.
Water and restrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Desert Connections - Educational Walk
2025-11-13 09:00 - 11:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Desert Connections Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead.
Everything in the desert is connected and always changing. We’ll explore how the environment–the mountains, the rocks, the climate, the washes–affects the plants and animals that live here, how living things in turn change the environment, and how climate change and increasing development may impact what we see here.
Bring water for the trail. Restrooms are available at the trailhead. No dogs please. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Nature's Medicine Cabinet - Educational Walk
2025-11-15 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Nature’s Medicine Cabinet Educational Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
Take a global look of the importance of plants and their physical properties and how they were used throughout the centuries to aid in man’s wellbeing. We will start globally but then move to look at some of medicinal plants found in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. No dogs please. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Sonoran Desert 101 - Educational Walk
2025-11-29 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Sonoran Desert 101 at Gateway Trailhead.
This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive.
Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

The World of Arthropods - Educational Walk
2025-12-04 09:00 - 11:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
The World of Arthropods at Gateway Trailhead
Spiders, scorpions, bees, and wasps are just the beginning–there are more species of Arthropods in the world than any other group of animals. Join us on an easy 2 hour walk to discover the fascinating and diverse world of Arthropods and their role in the ecology of the Sonoran Desert.
Bathrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Bring water for the trail. No dogs, please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Sonoran Desert 101 - Educational Walk
2025-12-06 09:00 - 11:00 | Tom’s Thumb Trailhead, 23015 N 128th St., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Sonoran Desert 101 at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead.
This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive.
Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Secrets of the Preserve - Educational Walk
2025-12-06 09:00 - 11:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Secrets of the Preserve Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead.
Ready to discover more about what is in the Preserve? Join us to explore the Preserve’s hidden treasures, from the plants and animals to the recent and ancient history in a stunning geological setting.
There are restrooms available at the trailhead but no water. Bring water, snacks and your curiosity. Plan to arrive 15 mins. prior to the start of the walk. No dogs please.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Lifecycle of the Saguaro - Educational Walk
2025-12-11 09:00 - 11:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Lifecycle of the Saguaro Educational Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
Native only to the Sonoran Desert, these giant cacti are a sight to see! Join us to follow the growth of a saguaro from seed to skeleton and view multi-armed, old Saguaros. This easy walk covers 0.5 miles in about 2 hours over easy paths.
Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Hunter/Gatherers - Educational Walk
2025-12-13 09:00 - 11:00 | Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, United States
Hunters and Gatherers Educational Hike from Lost Dog Trailhead.
Join our expert Archaeologist as we explore the challenges of the Archaic hunter and gatherer to survive and thrive in the Sonoran Desert of 2,000 years ago. See important desert flora and fauna, hunting sites and their importance to the survival of an Archaic band. This Moderate hike covers 3 miles over about 2.5 hours with some elevation gain.
Restrooms and water available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Noteworthy & Notorious Arizonans - Educational Walk
2025-12-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Noteworthy and Notorious Arizonans Educational Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead.
Join a former City of Scottsdale archeologist for an easy hike of discovery and hear tales – some taller than others – of some of our lesser known Arizona heroes, heroines and villains. Not so notables include a woman prospector (The Miner’s Angel), Arizona Rangers, a lady bandit, a local ranch foreman, a woman freed from Mohave captivity, and a southwestern-modern architect (think City Hall). 3 miles over about 2.5 hours.
Restrooms are available at the trailhead but no water. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

A Meditation Walk
2025-12-18 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
A Meditation Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
Step away from the day to day and discover inner peace as you immerse yourself in the beauty and power of the Sonoran Desert on a mindful ½ mile journey on the gentle and beautiful Jane Rau Trail.
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start of the walk. Restrooms and water at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs, please.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

True Grit - Educational Walk
2025-12-20 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
True Grit at Fraesfield Trailhead.
Join us on a leisurely one mile, two hour walk and we will talk about what life was like for women who settled in the McDowells in the 19th and early 20th centuries making their lives with the military, working the land, ranching and in the office.
Restrooms are available at the trailhead but no water. Please bring water and plan to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the walk. No dogs please.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Sonoran Desert 101 - Educational Walk
2025-12-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Sonoran Desert 101 at Fraesfield Trailhead.
This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive.
Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Bird Walk
2026-01-04 08:00 - 10:00 | Tom’s Thumb Trailhead, 23015 N 128th St., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Bird Walk at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead.
Join our bird experts on this 2-hour walk for a good chance to see some of our year-round bird residents such as: cactus wren, Gila woodpecker, ladder-backed woodpecker, Harris’s hawk, verdin or Say’s phoebe – as well as some seasonal arrivals.
Restrooms available at the trailhead, but no water. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Bring your binoculars. Arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Poisonous Arthropods in the Preserve - Educational Walk
2026-01-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Poisonous Arthropods in the Preserve at Gateway Trailhead.
Arthropods are the most diverse of all animals, comprising over 85 percent of all living animal species! A variety of arthropods in the Sonoran Desert use poisons for defense against predators or to kill or immobilize prey. Some of these animals are also venomous, like scorpions, but others produce poisonous chemicals, like blister beetles. Join us to learn how these amazing creatures thrive in our own backyard.
Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Bring snacks and water for the trail. No dogs please. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of the walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Mammoth Hunters to Canal Builders - Educational Hike
2026-01-15 10:00 - 12:30 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Mammoth Hunters to Canal Builders Educational Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead.
Travel back in time in the preserve with our expert and former City of Scottsdale archeologist to learn how historic and ancient peoples survived and thrived in this desert area. This easy hike covers 3 miles over about 2.5 hours.
Restrooms available at the trailhead but no water. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before start of hike.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Venom in the Desert - Educational Walk
2026-01-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Venom in the Desert from Gateway Trailhead.
Some reptiles and arthropods in the Sonoran Desert use venom or other poisons to defend themselves or subdue their prey. Learn how to recognize these animals that bite and sting and the effect of their venom. Join us on an easy 1.5 hour walk.
Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.

Desert Surfaces - Educational Walk
2026-01-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Desert Surfaces at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
What really covers the desert – little organisms can make a big difference! Some of the most common sights in the desert – and indeed the living things that probably cover more of the desert than any single kind of plant – are lichen, desert varnish, and soil crust. These organisms actually have much in common. Among other things, they’re all alive (yes, even varnish), they have some components that are neither plants nor animals, and living filaments are crucial to their existence. Come learn more in this introduction to what really covers the desert.
Water and restrooms are available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Space is limited! Please save your spot with the RSVP below.
