Trailside Naturalist – Butterfly Abundance, Richness and Diversity at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead – 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Time: ~2.5 hours Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to find out all about the many species of butterflies that live in the Preserve. Pipevines and sulphers and skippers, oh

Desert 101 South Educational Walk at Gateway Trailhead The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. 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 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Pets

The Hidden Desert Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours 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,

Sonoran Sunday: Soaring Desert Birds of Prey at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead –  18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 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

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Fraesfield Trailhead Spend about 2 hours on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various desert topics are discussed. The material will depend on what we see in this wonderful environment. Location: Fraesfield Trailhead – 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Bathrooms

Lecture- Discover the McDowell Sonoran Preserve at Mustang Library Nearly a million visitors enjoy Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve each year. Learn from an insider how to get the most out of your trip! A local expert from the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy will help you discover all the ways to explore and protect the “best” preserve

Trailside Naturalist – Protecting the Desert Tortoise at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead – 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Time: ~2.5 hours Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to learn all about the desert tortoises that live in the Preserve. How does the desert tortoise survive the long hot Sonoran

Biodiversity in the Sonoran Desert Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Sonoran Desert is the most biodiverse desert in the world, and the closer you look, the more there is to see! Join us for a biodiversity

Ride to the Crested Saguaros at Brown's Ranch Trailhead  Ever notice the crested saguaros in the Preserve? Come ride with us to see a large number scattered throughout the north. This is an advanced skill and vigorous cardio ride. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate

Bird Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Join us to view our year-round resident birds. We may also see some that only spend the winter in our area. Possible sightings include phainopepla, black-throated sparrow, white-crowned sparrow, black-tailed

Geology Educational Hike at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead This hike recreates the route that led to the first geology project in the Preserve, our first peer-reviewed publication, and the genesis of the Parsons Field Institute program. This hike is rocky in places with modest climbs and descents going over Lost Dog Overlook. Location: Lost Dog

All About Arizona Educational Hike at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead This hike is a celebration of Arizona; the state flower, state tree, state mineral, and more. Join us on this hike with beautiful views and some uphill sections with rocky terrain. Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead - 12601 N 124th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 Skill

Crested Saguaro Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead Join us on this hike as we pass by 3 crested saguaro cacti. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~7 miles Time: ~3 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If

South Diablo Trail Explorer Hike at Brown's Ranch Trailhead This hike will head to the South Diablo Trail where you will experience several interesting boulder formations. There will be stops at Cathedral Rock and the Amphitheater along the way. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262

Hunter/Gatherers Educational Hike at Lost Dog Wash 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. Location: Lost

Ride Beginner Next Step at Pima Dynamite Trailhead This will be an opportunity for beginner riders to review the skills learned in the Mountain Bike Skills Clinic and be exposed to new adventures. If you have not attended one of the clinics, you should have solid basic skills on single-track to benefit from this class. We

Venom in the Preserve Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours 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

Ride Geology Educational Ride at Brown's Ranch Trailhead When, how and why did all those different rocks get into the Preserve? How about our own earthquake fault? This is an intermediate skills and moderate cardio ride and will take us through the various geological formations of the area. Get the big picture on a bike.

High Desert & Stagecoach Trails Hike at Brown's Ranch Trailhead This hike will take you into the High Desert Trail area with a stop at Cathedral Rock. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~7.4 miles Time: ~4 hours Pets are not

Desert Connections Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Everything in the desert is connected and always changing. We'll explore how the environment – the mountains, the rocks, the climate, the washes, and more – affects the plants and