Spiders, scorpions, and bugs! Did you know that about 84% of all animals are arthropods? Stop by the trailside naturalist station at the Gateway Trailhead between 8:00 and 11:00 A.M. to learn about the fascinating world of arthropods. Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 North Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead.

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Fraesfield Trailhead Join us on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various pertinent topics are discussed during the walk in the desert. The material will depend on the season, animals, plants, and will cover whatever is happening in this beautiful environment. Location: Brown's

Feldspar and Mesquite Canyon Fitness Walk at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead Join us for a leisurely walk in the areas below Tom’s Thumb. Slower pace and frequent stops with time to admire the great views and treasures on the ground as well as discussions about desert topics. Location: Tom's Thumb Trailhead - 23015 North 128th Street,

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic at Pima Dynamite Trailhead New to mountain biking? Looking to refresh your skills, improve your technique, enhance safety awareness, and increase your overall enjoyment on the trails? We begin with a demonstration and presentation by experienced riders covering the basic things you need to know, equipment requirements, and trail etiquette. The

Lecture - Wild Kingdom of Scottsdale: Tales of Survival in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve at Scottsdale Civic Center Library Did you know that you have your own Sonoran Desert wild kingdom, right here in Scottsdale? The Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran is home to over 1,000 plants and animals, all with their own unique, strange, and fascinating

Lecture - Ecology of Desert Dirt at Mustang Library Rock, dirt, and soil are the foundation for everything that lives in the desert. But what’s the difference between them, and how does one turn into another? Through illustrations and demonstrations, learn what’s unique about desert soil, and the important role dust plays in supporting life

Bird Walk at Granite Mountain Trailhead Join the expert on this walk for a good chance to see some of our year-round bird residents such as the cactus wren, Gila woodpecker, ladder-backed woodpecker, Harris’s hawk, verdin or Say’s phoebe - as well as some seasonal arrivals. Bring your own binoculars. Location: Granite Mountain 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. Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 North, Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Bathrooms are available at the trailheads. Bring water and snacks for the

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Pima Dynamite Trailhead Join us on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various topics are discussed during the walk in the desert. The material will depend on the season, animals, plants, and will cover whatever is happening in this wonderful environment. Location: Pima

Veteran's Day Hike at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead To honor our Veterans, an Easy loop on gently rolling terrain is planned with an elevation gain of about 250 ft. We will hold a special ceremony at the trailhead at the end of the hike. Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead - 12601 North 124th Street, Scottsdale,

Ride from Granite Mountain Trailhead Come on out and join a ride with us from Granite Mountain. We’ll ride through Coyote Canyon with beautiful swooping terrain and views you may never have known were there. See how you can connect these trails and others together to enjoy a completely awesome ride! This is an intermediate

Nature's Medicine Cabinet Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Take a global look at the importance of plants and their physical properties and how they were used throughout the centuries to aid human well-being. We will start globally but then move to look at some of the medicinal plants found in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Sonoran Sundays - Raptor Rehabilitation at Pima Dynamite Trailhead Wild at Heart, a local raptor rescue organization, will provide an up-close encounter with several rescued birds of prey. Learn why these remarkable birds are rescued, how they can be rehabilitated and released back into the wild, and what can be done to protect their natural