Lecture - Gila River Indian Community: Innovation in Water Management
2026-08-25 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Phoenix) | Scottsdale Public Library – Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85260, United States
Lecture- Gila River Indian Community: Innovation in Water Management
Tuesday, August 25, 2026, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
The Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) was once the “bread basket” of Arizona. Then 19th century upstream diversions deprived the Akimel O’otham (Pima) and Pee Posh (Maricopa) of their water, ushering in forty years of famine. Despite a 1935 Federal court degree on Gila River water rights, the Community struggled to put river water to use. In the 1950s, it inaugurated its legal fight to restore water. Since the enforceable water settlement of 2004 the Community is rebuilding its agricultural economy. Hear about how the GRIC is using holistic, resilient, and innovative strategies to protect and conserve its water resources.
Please join us on Tuesday, August 25th for a presentation by David H DeJong, Ph.D. at Scottsdale’s Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.
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Lecture - Owls of the McDowells
2026-09-12 14:30 - 16:00 | Scottsdale Public Library – Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85260, United States
Lecture- Owls of the McDowells
Saturday, September 12, 2026, 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Description: Discover the incredible adaptations that make owls the ultimate nocturnal predators. In this presentation, we’ll explore the specific species that call the McDowell Sonoran Preserve home and learn about the research being done by the Conservancy’s Field Institute’s nocturnal bird survey. Lisa Miller is a Legacy Steward with the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, who has
dedicated 15 years to citizen science, education, and conservation. She has served as Chair, Assistant Chair, and Bird Survey Lead for the Conservancy’s Citizen Science
Program, frequently sharing her love for birding through classes, presentations, and guided walks.
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Photo by Lynne Russell

Lecture - Patriot Skies: The RAF in Arizona During World War II
2026-09-22 17:00 - 18:30 | Scottsdale Public Library – Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85260, United States
Lecture- Patriot Skies: The RAF in Arizona During World War II
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Did you know the Royal Air Force trained pilots in Arizona during World War II? Discover this little-known history as Emmy Award–winning filmmaker Kelly Sallaway presents the remarkable story of the RAF’s training operation at Falcon Field. Arizona skies became critical for training young pilots for combat at a time when Britain’s survival depended on air power. Kelly is currently developing her new documentary film, Patriot Skies and will share film excerpts and insights on the project.
Please join Kelly on Tuesday, September 22nd at Scottsdale’s Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.
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Lecture - Backyard Wildlife
2026-10-10 14:30 - 16:00 | Scottsdale Public Library – Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85260, United States
Lecture- Backyard Wildlife
Saturday, October 10, 2026, 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Description: This will be a fun presentation on wildlife you may encounter in your Sonoran Desert backyard. You will learn about your neighborhood wildlife and how to create a wildlife friendly yard that is safe, ethical, and enjoyable.
Jessie Dwyer is the Senior Scientific Program Manager at the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. In this capacity, they manage wildlife research projects on key species groups and collaborates with regional partners. Their research is focused on long-term monitoring, population health, and habitat connectivity.
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Lecture - Unsolved Mysteries of the McDowells!
2026-10-27 17:00 - 18:30 | Scottsdale Public Library – Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85260, United States
Lecture- Unsolved Mysteries of the McDowells!
Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Presenter: Len Marcisz, McDowell Sonoran Conservancy
It’s no mystery that Halloween is for adults! Get in the Jack-O-Lantern spirit with this new offering from the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. Unsolved mysteries and unanswered questions remain deep in the recesses of the McDowell Mountains. The unsolved murder of an aspiring model on the property of the Mayo Clinic? A military chaplain who wandered the desert and appeared to be insane? Did a tooth extraction cause the worst air disaster over the McDowells? Who was the first non-Native American to see the McDowells? Do petroglyphs near Taliesin West tell the story of a massive battle between ancient empires? These mysteries and more are yours to explore and perhaps solve!
Please join Len Marcisz, days before Halloween, on October 27th at Scottsdale’s Mustang Library located at 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.
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Hit the Road with Roger Naylor
2026-11-05 16:00 - 18:00 | Private: DC Ranch Homestead
Join Arizona author Roger Naylor for an evening of backroads, small towns, ghost towns, burger joints, and Route 66 stories. Roger is a born storyteller, and his tales from the road and trail are pure Arizona gold. Author of eight books, including Arizona Boots and Burgers and Route 66 Road Trip, Roger has also written for several newspapers and magazines.
Join us at 4:00 pm for light appetizers and wine. Roger takes the stage at 4:30 pm and will wrap up the evening with a book signing – books available for purchase – the perfect way to bring a little Arizona adventure home.
This special event is sponsored by Conservancy Women and benefits the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy as we celebrate 35 incredible years. Get your tickets today!

Lecture - Scottsdale Water's Future
2026-11-14 14:30 - 16:00 | Scottsdale Public Library – Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85260, United States
Lecture- Scottsdale Water’s Future
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Description: Water is a scarce resource especially in the desert environment we encounter in Arizona. Come learn about how the Colorado River Water Rights shared between seven states in the west not only affect Arizona but Scottsdale specifically. You will learn about where our water comes from, how it’s used, and what is needed to secure adequate water resources into the future.
Sarah Porter is Director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy and Professor in ASU’s College of Global Futures. Established in 2014, the Kyl Center promotes research, analysis, collaboration, and open dialogue to build consensus in support of sound water stewardship solutions in Arizona and the West.
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Lecture - Master Planned Developments in Scottsdale
2026-11-24 17:00 - 18:30 | Scottsdale Public Library – Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85260, United States
Lecture- Master Planned Developments in Scottsdale
Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Presenter: Don Hadder, Scottsdale City Planner (retired after 38 years)
A large portion of Scottsdale residents live in master planned developments. Most of the later development in Scottsdale was contained in such developments, but few know that some of the earliest pioneers who helped create Scottsdale had similar visions to create grand developments but never achieved their dreams. This presentation by Don Hadder profiles over 30 such developments in Scottsdale and reviews their evolution over 40 years of time.
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