McDowell Sonoran Conservancy

Sonoran Desert 101 - Educational Walk
2026-03-07 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix) | 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.

Bird Walk
2026-03-10 08:00 - 10:00 | Fraesfield Trailhead, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Bird Walk at Fraesfield 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.

Matriarchy in the McDowells - Educational Walk
2026-03-12 09:00 - 11:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Matriarchy in the McDowells at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
In honor of International Women’s Day, we are celebrating women–both those who are human and those in the animal kingdom–with a leisurely walk on the Jane Rau trail.
There are restrooms and water 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.

Wildflowers and Flora of the Desert - Educational Walk
2026-03-14 09:00 - 11:00 | Tom’s Thumb Trailhead, 23015 N 128th St., Scottsdale, AZ, 85255, United States
Flora in the Desert/Wildflowers Walk at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead.
Come celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join our knowledgeable stewards on this 2 hour walk to discover the incredible variety of flowers in this area of the preserve.
Restrooms are available at the trailhead but no water. 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.

All About Plant Phenology - Educational Walk
2026-03-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
All About Plant Phenology at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
This leisurely walk along the Brown’s Ranch Jane Rau trail will introduce you to the Conservancy’s ongoing phenology project in the Preserve.
WHAT is Phenology? Phenology is the science of studying life cycle events in plants and animals. When does it grow, when is it dormant, when does it reproduce?
WHY Phenology? The data we collect on each year’s new leaves, flowers and fruit is vital information to help scientists better understand how changing climate conditions are affecting all living organisms worldwide.
Phenology data helps us to make adaptive management decisions as to how we might be able to help mitigate adverse effects.
There are restrooms and water 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.

Wildflowers and Flora of the Desert - Educational Walk
2026-03-19 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-21 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-26 09:00 - 11:00 | Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262, United States
Flora in the Desert/Wildflowers Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
The Preserve is located in one of the most biodiverse areas of the Sonoran Desert. Learn about the plant life that thrives in this area. Note: If you have the i-Naturalist application on your phone, it would be a helpful tool to identify different flora.
There are restrooms and water 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.

Bird Walk
2026-04-12 07:30 - 09:30 | 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.
