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Lecture – Thriving and Surviving in the Sonoran Desert

Scottsdale Public Library - Mustang Library 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Thriving and Surviving in the Sonoran Desert with Plants The people of the Sonoran Desert not only survived but thrived in the harsh environment that surrounded them. Learn about the accumulated generational knowledge of the early desert people and how they used native plants to sustain themselves. We will explore with Bernie Finkel, Legacy Steward, […]

Lecture – The Center for Native & Urban Wildlife – 25 years of Educating and Connecting People with the Sonoran Desert

Scottsdale Public Library - Mustang Library 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Cultural Resources Lecture: The Center for Native & Urban Wildlife - 25 years of Educating and Connecting People with the Sonoran Desert Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 Presenter: Dr. John Weser is the Life Sciences Department Chair and Executive Director and […]

Lecture – Arizona Native and Invasive Plants

Scottsdale Public Library - Mustang Library 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Arizona Native and Invasive Plants Speaker: Jessi Szopinski, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management The lecture will briefly outline the purpose and function of the statewide Invasive Plant Program, and will showcase success stories of restoration projects in central and southern Arizona. Participants will explore the unique and resilient adaptations of native plants, and […]

Free

Lecture – Past, Present, and Future: Human History of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Scottsdale Public Library - Mustang Library 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Cultural Resources Lecture: Past, Present, and Future: Human History of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 Presenter: Join McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Steward Zach Richard for a look into the unique Human History of the land now within the […]

Bird Walk at Quartz Trailhead

Quartz Trailhead J4GV+Q5R Scottsdale, Arizona

Bird Walk at Quartz Trailhead Join our birding experts on this easy 2 hour walk over a rocky trail. In addition to seeing our year-round bird residents, we may see some migrants passing through. Possible sightings include: phainopepla, American kestrel, gilded flicker, curve-billed thrasher, Abert’s towhee or various warblers. Meet at the Quartz Trail parking […]

Lecture – Spooky or Spectacular? Revealing the Truth About Bats

Scottsdale Public Library - Mustang Library 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Spooky or Spectacular? Revealing the Truth About Bats Speaker: Jessie Dwyer, Parsons Field Institute Biodiversity Manager Date: Saturday October 11, 2025 Time: 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM Bats have long been cast as spooky symbols in myths and Halloween tales, but the truth is far more fascinating than frightening. In this talk, we’ll explore the […]

Sonoran Desert 101 – Educational Walk

Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 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 […]

Introduction To Mountain Biking

Pima Dynamite Trailhead 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Introduction to Mountain Biking: Session 1 at Pima Dynamite Trailhead This program is designed to introduce participants to mountain biking by building foundational riding skills and confidence in a safe, supportive setting. It emphasizes the importance of proper bike setup, safety checks, and trail etiquette, while fostering an appreciation for outdoor activity and responsible trail […]

Ride the Gooseneck and Discuss Preserve Fire Restoration

Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Ride the Gooseneck and Discuss Preserve Fire Restoration from Fraesfield Trailhead This easier ride is smooth sailing for 10 – 12 miles over 3 hours. We will ride out Gooseneck Trail to Saguaro Nest Trail with a stop to talk about the fire restoration project that the Conservancy has developed in conjunction with the City […]

Taliesin, Old Jeep, and Ringtail Trails Hike

Lost Dog Wash Trailhead 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Taliesin, Old Jeep and Ringtail Hike from Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Come hike some of the original trails in the preserve with great views of Scottsdale and the desert. This is a difficult hike with some rocky trails for 5.5 miles with 360 ft. elevation change in 3 hours. Bathrooms and water available at the […]

Brown’s Ranch Stories – Educational Walk

Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ, 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, […]

Missions, Massacres, and Plagues – Educational Hike

Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Missions, Massacres & Plagues - Educational Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead  Moderate level hike. Revisit three hundred years of European-Native American contacts and conflicts, from Coronado to the Alamo (1540-1850). Join an expert Archaeologist and Historic Preservationist for about 3 hours covering 4 miles. Restrooms available at the trailhead but no water. Bring water and snacks […]

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