What's in Your Backpack? Educational Walk at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Time: 2 hours Our Preserve in the Sonoran Desert is beautiful. But most of the inhabitants, both flora and fauna, want to stick you, prick you or bite you. Your safety is important to

Sonoran Sunday: Back From the Brink – A Story of Recovery” the Mexican Gray Wolf at Brown's Ranch Do you know about Southwest Wildlife? Listen and learn as Robyn Moul, Lead Education Specialist, Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center talks about the only sanctuary in Arizona capable of rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing large predators, and their efforts

Marcus Landslide Educational Hike at Tom's Thumb Trailhead Location: Tom’s Thumb Trailhead - 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~4 miles Time: ~3 hours Open your eyes to the Marcus Landslide geological site, the second largest landslide in Arizona. Elevation gain of 400 ft. Pets are not permitted at our

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic at Pima Dynamite Trailhead Location: Pima Dynamite Trailhead - 28777 N Pima Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Beginner Distance: ~3 to 5 miles Time: ~3 hours New to mountain biking? Looking to refresh your skills, improve your technique, enhance safety awareness, and increase your overall enjoyment on the trails? Then

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead - 12601 N 124th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Join us on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various desert topics are discussed. The material will depend on what

Return to Azatlan Educational Hike Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~4 miles Time: ~4 hours Azatlan is the contemporary archaeological name given to a large Hohokam community that existed north of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Reservation and east of Rio Verde. Join PastFinders experts for a hike through one of the largest archeological sites in central

Desert 101 South Educational Walk at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours 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

Axle Grease, Hackamore, and Hawknest Hike at Pima Dynamite Trailhead Location: Pima Dynamite Trailhead - 28777 N Pima Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~6.7 miles Time: ~3.5 hours Explore the impressive newer trails with nice views and granite formations. Experienced hikers suggested. Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety

Women of the McDowells 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 Did you know that women comprised the majority of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy's founders and incorporators? Who were they? What were their respective roles? How did

Lecture- Where did the Milky Way Go? at Mustang Library Light pollution – unnecessary artificial light at night – has increased dramatically over the past few decades to the point that it drastically reduces our view of the starry sky and threatens our environment. The advent of energy-efficient LED lighting has compounded the problem. However,

Human History of the McDowells at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy | Time: ~2 hours Did you know that most of what is now Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve was formerly the Brown family's ranch, also known as DC Ranch? The area

Bird Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Join us to see some of our area’s full-time resident birds. It also gives us a chance to see spring migrants, for example: Wilson’s, Lucy’s, Townsend’s, or yellow warbler, or early-arriving summer

Women’s Bike Ride (Beginner ++) at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Skill level: Beginner ++ Distance: ~15 miles Time: ~3 hours This woman’s bike ride is an intermediate skill level ride and moderate cardio. This ride is perfect for women or those who identify as women. It is a step up in intensity from the previous Woman’s

Wildflower Educational Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~3 miles Time: ~3 hours Come celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join our knowledgeable stewards on this hike to discover the incredible

Balanced Rock, Chuckwagon, Whiskey Bottle, Turpentine Trails at Granite Mountain Trailhead Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~7.3 miles Time: ~3 hours We will hike to Balanced Rock along the very scenic south side of Granite Mountain, to Whiskey Bottle Trail, and return via the

Trailside Naturalist – What Bird was that? 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 what birds fly and live in the Preserve. The Conservancy, with the help of our research partners, has identified 189

Wildflower Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Distance: ~1 mile Time: ~2 hours Come celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join us on this easy walk to discover the incredible

Ride Secrets of the Preserve Educational Ride at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate Distance: ~11 miles Time: ~3.5 hours Ready to discover more about what is in the Preserve, besides the excitement of trail riding? This is the ride for you!

Ride from Pima Dynamite Trailhead Location: Pima Dynamite Trailhead - 28777 N Pima Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate Time: ~3 hours Join us for a fun adventure ride. This is an intermediate skill and high cardio ride. This ride includes some moderate climbing and twisty downhills. We will make short stops to regroup

Desert Surfaces Educational Walk 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