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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for McDowell Sonoran Conservancy
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220301T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220301T110000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T201357Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T201357Z
UID:10000103-1646121600-1646132400@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Taliesin\, Old Jeep & Ringtail Fitness Hike
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/taliesin-old-jeep-ringtail-fitness-hike/
LOCATION:Lost Dog Wash Trailhead\, 12601 N. 124th Street\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85259\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220302T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220302T120000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T201548Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T201548Z
UID:10000104-1646215200-1646222400@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Hike with Natural Resource Coordinator
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/hike-with-natural-resource-coordinator-3/
LOCATION:Granite Mountain Trailhead\, 31402 N. 136th Street\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220303T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220303T110000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T202005Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T202005Z
UID:10000106-1646294400-1646305200@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Heart of the North Ride
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/heart-of-the-north-ride/
LOCATION:Granite Mountain Trailhead\, 31402 N. 136th Street\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220303T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220303T120000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T201814Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T201814Z
UID:10000105-1646294400-1646308800@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Sunrise Trailhead Overflow Lot to Andrews-Kinsey Trail
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/sunrise-trailhead-overflow-lot-to-andrews-kinsey-trail/
LOCATION:Sunrise Trailhead Overflow Parking\, 12101 N. 145th Way\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85255\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220305T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220305T110000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211124T191838Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211124T191838Z
UID:10000119-1646470800-1646478000@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Trailside Naturalist - Bird Nests
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/trailside-naturalist-bird-nests/
LOCATION:Gateway Trailhead\, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy.\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85255\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220308T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220308T093000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T202106Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T202106Z
UID:10000107-1646726400-1646731800@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Venom in the Preserve
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/venom-in-the-preserve/
LOCATION:Brown’s Ranch Trailhead\, 30301 N. Alma School Road\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220308T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220308T123000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T215746Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T215746Z
UID:10000108-1646726400-1646742600@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Stagecoach\, High Desert & The Divide
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/stagecoach-high-desert-the-divide/
LOCATION:Brown’s Ranch Trailhead\, 30301 N. Alma School Road\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220309T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220309T110000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T220226Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T220226Z
UID:10000110-1646812800-1646823600@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Mountain Bike Skills Clinic
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/mountain-bike-skills-clinic-6/
LOCATION:Fraesfield Trailhead\, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220309T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220309T120000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T220038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T220038Z
UID:10000109-1646816400-1646827200@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Marcus Landslide Educational Hike
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/marcus-landslide-educational-hike/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220310T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220310T120000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211022T173220Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211022T173220Z
UID:10000035-1646899200-1646913600@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Return to Azatlan Educational Hike
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/return-to-azatlan-educational-hike/
LOCATION:Fraesfield Trailhead\, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220312T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220312T113000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T220440Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T220440Z
UID:10000111-1647072000-1647084600@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Axle Grease and Hawknest Fitness Hike
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/axle-grease-and-hawknest-fitness-hike/
LOCATION:Pima Dynamite Trailhead\, 28777 N. Pima Road\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220313T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220313T113000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T220708Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T220708Z
UID:10000112-1647158400-1647171000@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Secrets of the Preserve Educational Ride
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/secrets-of-the-preserve-educational-ride-2/
LOCATION:Brown’s Ranch Trailhead\, 30301 N. Alma School Road\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220314T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220314T120000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T221012Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T221012Z
UID:10000113-1647244800-1647259200@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Gateway to Windgate Pass Fitness Hike
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/gateway-to-windgate-pass-fitness-hike/
LOCATION:Gateway Trailhead\, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy.\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85255\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220315T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220315T100000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T221232Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T221232Z
UID:10000114-1647331200-1647338400@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Bird Walk
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/bird-walk-5/
LOCATION:Fraesfield Trailhead\, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220316T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220316T093000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20220223T174829Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220223T174829Z
UID:10000137-1647417600-1647423000@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Wildflower Educational Walk from Brown's Ranch Trailhead
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/wildflower-educational-walk-from-browns-ranch-trailhead/
LOCATION:Brown’s Ranch Trailhead\, 30301 N. Alma School Road\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220317T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220317T130000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20220124T192435Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220124T192435Z
UID:10000136-1647504000-1647522000@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Tom's Thumb Trailhead and Long Loop Fitness Hike
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/toms-thumb-trailhead-and-long-loop-fitness-hike/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220318T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220318T093000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T221709Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T221709Z
UID:10000116-1647590400-1647595800@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Kovach Family Trail Walk
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/kovach-family-trail-walk/
LOCATION:Lost Dog Wash Trailhead\, 12601 N. 124th Street\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85259\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220318T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220318T100000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T221527Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T221527Z
UID:10000115-1647590400-1647597600@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Wildflower Educational Hike
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/wildflower-educational-hike/
LOCATION:Granite Mountain Trailhead\, 31402 N. 136th Street\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220319T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220319T113000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T221956Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T221956Z
UID:10000117-1647676800-1647689400@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Balanced Rock and Whiskey Bottle Fitness Hike
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/balanced-rock-and-whiskey-bottle-fitness-hike/
LOCATION:Granite Mountain Trailhead\, 31402 N. 136th Street\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220320T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220320T113000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211119T222157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211119T222157Z
UID:10000118-1647763200-1647775800@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Women's Bike Ride
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/womens-bike-ride-4/
LOCATION:Granite Mountain Trailhead\, 31402 N. 136th Street\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220323T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220323T110000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211203T220856Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211203T220856Z
UID:10000123-1648022400-1648033200@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Whiskey Bottle\, Turpentine & Black Hill Fitness Hike
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/whiskey-bottle-turpentine-black-hill-fitness-hike/
LOCATION:Fraesfield Trailhead\, 13400 East Rio Verde Drive\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220324T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220324T100000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211203T224527Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211203T224527Z
UID:10000135-1648108800-1648116000@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Bike Ride With Natural Resources Coordinator
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/bike-ride-with-natural-resources-coordinator-2/
LOCATION:Brown’s Ranch Trailhead\, 30301 N. Alma School Road\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220324T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220324T103000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211203T221144Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211203T221144Z
UID:10000124-1648108800-1648117800@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Hunters/Gatherers Educational Hike
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/hunters-gatherers-educational-hike/
LOCATION:Lost Dog Wash Trailhead\, 12601 N. 124th Street\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85259\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220326T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220326T123000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211203T221738Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211203T221738Z
UID:10000125-1648281600-1648297800@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:New Trails at Pima Dynamite Trailhead
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/new-trails-at-pima-dynamite-trailhead/
LOCATION:Pima Dynamite Trailhead\, 28777 N. Pima Road\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220326T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220326T110000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211029T021541Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211029T021541Z
UID:10000060-1648285200-1648292400@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Trailside Naturalist Station: Packrats
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/trailside-naturalist-station-packrats/
LOCATION:Gateway Trailhead\, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy.\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85255\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220327T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220327T093000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211203T221958Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211203T221958Z
UID:10000126-1648368000-1648373400@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Desert 101 Educational Walk
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/desert-101-educational-walk/
LOCATION:Gateway Trailhead\, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy.\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85255\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220327T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220327T160000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211029T015143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211029T015143Z
UID:10000056-1648393200-1648396800@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Sonoran Sundays: Wild at Heart Raptor Rescue
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/sonoran-sundays-wild-at-heart-raptor-rescue/
LOCATION:Gateway Trailhead\, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy.\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85255\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220330T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220330T110000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20211203T222223Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211203T222223Z
UID:10000127-1648625400-1648638000@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Wildflower Educational Hike
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/wildflower-educational-hike-2/
LOCATION:Brown’s Ranch Trailhead\, 30301 N. Alma School Road\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220330T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20220330T093000
DTSTAMP:20260417T145747
CREATED:20220301T174337Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220301T174337Z
UID:10000138-1648627200-1648632600@www.mcdowellsonoran.org
SUMMARY:Wildflower Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead
DESCRIPTION:The PastFinders: Saving the History of the McDowells When we preserve a mountain range\, we preserve so much more than the mountains themselves. We preserve the landscape for the outdoor enjoyment of hikers\, cyclists\, equestrians and other seekers of the Sonoran experience. For those less inclined to travel the desert\, we preserve the viewscape – the montane panorama which defines Scottsdale. Also preserved are the biotic communities for those who enjoy desert flora\, fauna and learning more about them. The geological features\, while seemingly durable through the ages\, retain their integrity\, unspoiled by human development. Also preserved are the little things: artifacts humans have left behind over the centuries. These cultural remnants tantalize our imaginations and pique our curiosity: broken pieces of ancient pottery strewn across the ground\, mine tailings in the Gateway area\, abandoned structures at Brown’s Ranch\, bedrock mortars at Cathedral Rock. Who left them? When? Why? As the preservation of the McDowells proceeded\, it became obvious that the citizens of Scottsdale and the preservationists of the Conservancy were developing not just a preserve\, but a laboratory for urban/exurban ecological research. The Parsons McDowell Sonoran Field Institute seized upon this reality and has developed an extensive program of research\, analysis and public education in partnership with state and local agencies as well as educational institutions. Less obvious was the realization that the preservation initiative also protected the cultural evidence deposited throughout the range. For a few Stewards who are students of history and related humanities\, this cultural preservation provided an opportunity. Who Are the PastFinders? Stewards initiated the PastFinder program in June 2010. Its mission: “To work with our partner\, the City of Scottsdale\, to generate enthusiasm for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Conservancy by informing the general public about the history and activities of the people who have been associated with the preserve from ancient to present times.” The PastFinders collect\, preserve\, interpret and disseminate historical information about the McDowells. PastFinder participation\, from the program’s inception\, was intended to be inclusive: open to all Stewards and the public.  Anyone with an interest in history and a desire to acquire and share historical information with others is invited to join the PastFinders. The program began with monthly speakers addressing subjects related to local and Arizona history. As the speakers’ program gained a following\, the venue was moved from the Conservancy office to various local libraries\, eventually settling as an ongoing presence at the Mustang Library. Concomitant with the expansion of the speaker series\, PastFinder Stewards began researching topics of individual interest. They began the first comprehensive study of mining in the McDowell Mountains\, eventually developing a monograph and presentation on the subject. PastFinder Stewards also developed monographs and presentations regarding Archaic and Hohokam cultures\, ranching\, the local military presence and the history of various women who lived in or near the McDowells. Much of this research material is now incorporated in the four-part Human McDowells video presentation available for Steward education and as part of several themed hikes offered to the public. The Importance of Partnerships & Outreach As the program expanded\, it began to form partnerships. PastFinder Stewards have been invited to present at the Arizona Historical Society\, the Joint Arizona New Mexico Historical Conference\, the Scottsdale Historical Society\, McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, the Civil War Roundtable\, Daughters of the American Revolution functions and various official City of Scottsdale events. PastFinders have served on the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission\, the Scottsdale Preserve Commission and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Historical Society\, a state agency. These partnerships have resulted in joint events celebrating local history. In 2009\, PastFinders helped mark the birthday of General Irvin Mc Dowell\, the namesake of the mountains\, at the Scottsdale mayor’s breakfast. The event was popular enough to be repeated the following year. The 140th anniversary of the Stoneman Military Road\, which ran through the Preserve\, was celebrated in 2010 with a public hike along traces of the road in McDowell Mountain Regional Park\, which included Scottsdale’s mayor and the District 8 state legislative representative. The Arizona Republic and other local media covered the event. In 2015\, in partnership with the Parsons Field Institute\, Logan Simpson Design (an archeological services firm)\,  representatives of the Arizona Geological Survey and the City of Scottsdale\, the PastFinders performed an aerial mapping (balloon) and field survey of the structures at the Brown’s Ranch homestead. The resulting report was presented to the city’s preserve staff and is available to the Arizona archaeological community for reference. In 2018\, the PastFinders organized an event in partnership with the City of Scottsdale and the Commemorative Airforce to memorialize the 75thanniversary of a WW2 training accident over the Lost Dog area that resulted in the loss of two lives: a British cadet and American instructor. The event included a WW2 training aircraft flyover. Each of these events placed the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in the public eye as an essential aspect of our community identity. How Are We Preparing the Future for the Past? History provides us with lessons and explanations\, but it must be collected\, preserved\, interpreted and disseminated. Here’s what PastFinders are doing today: Collection: PastFinders continue to perform research on a variety of subjects\, ranging from the history of Brown’s Ranch to the relationship between the Hohokam presence in the McDowells and nearby major prehistoric riverine settlements.Preservation: In partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)\, eight PastFinder stewards have been trained and certified as State Historic Site Stewards. These Stewards are partnering with SHPO and the city’s preserve staff to identify and monitor sensitive cultural sites within the Preserve. The work will consist of periodic hikes to locations to photograph and document the status of various historic and prehistoric cultural sites.Interpretation: PastFinder Stewards have contributed information used in interpretive signage at several trailheads. They are currently developing a proposal for an interpretive trail at the site of the Brown’s Ranch homestead and corrals.Dissemination: PastFinders continue to staff an archaeology booth at various educational events\, such as the Expedition Days. They continue to develop presentations and themed hikes. They also support the Conservancy’s educational videos by providing content and\, on occasion\, video commentary. And despite the pandemic\, the speakers’ program has continued via Zoom.How Can I Help? You don’t have to be a historian to be a PastFinder. All you need is an interest in history and an enthusiastic desire to help preserve and share it with others. Here are some areas where we welcome additional help: State Site Stewards: If you like to photograph and document historic sites and possess the integrity not to disturb cultural artifacts\, consider becoming a State Site Steward. The state training is straightforward and you will learn much about the archaeology of Arizona and the McDowells.Expedition Days: If you like children and enjoy digging in the dirt for potsherds\, this is the gig for you. The PastFinder booth teaches youngsters about archaeology and offers them the opportunity to dig for artifacts in sand-filled tubs. For Expedition Days and other public events\, we welcome those with a knack for dealing with future archaeologists.Hikes: Do you like to hike and share historical information with others? Our experienced Stewards will provide the education\, storyboards and field training to prepare you to assist with and eventually lead themed historical hikes. Want to develop a themed hike of your own? We can help you do that\, too.Research: We conduct everything from field studies and photo interpretation to online research and interviews. If you enjoy these activities\, you’ll be right at home as a PastFinder.Learn more about our Stewardship opportunities.
URL:https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/event/wildflower-walk-at-browns-ranch-trailhead/
LOCATION:Brown’s Ranch Trailhead\, 30301 N. Alma School Road\, Scottsdale\, AZ\, 85262\, United States
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