Walk Like a Tortoise Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Join us as we learn about and look for signs of the Sonoran Desert tortoise. This leisurely walk on the Jane Rau Trail will give us plenty of time to tell stories about the tortoise. We will talk about their history, how they survive, how

Sonoran Sunday: Rattlesnakes! Fact & Fiction at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead -  18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Few animals spawn mythology and fish stories like they do. In working with thousands of rattlesnakes and people in the valley, Bryan Hughes from Rattlesnake Solutions has heard it all. Learn to stay safe

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Tom's Thumb Trailhead Join us on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various desert topics are discussed. The material will depend on what we see in this wonderful environment. Location: Tom’s Thumb Trailhead - 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 Skill level:

Lecture- Stories of Extreme Heat at Mustang Library How do socioeconomic factors impact the effect of Arizona’s extreme heat? Dr. Guardaro will share community stories of urban heat, climate equity and potential solutions to reduce heat risk. Presenter: Melissa Guardaro, PhD., Assistant Research Professor Arizona State University. Capacity is limited (75), first come first serve.

Trailside Naturalist – Rattling on About Rattlers at Gateway Trailhead Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to learn about the five species of rattlesnakes that live in the Sonoran Desert. Did you know? - That a rattlesnake can strike a distance of up to two-thirds of their body length? That they like to

The Hidden Desert Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Walking through the desert gives you half the story. There is a hidden world of nocturnal critters. If you look carefully, you can see the evidence of their middens, burrows, and holes. What else is concealed around you? Let us unlock those mysteries on the Camino Campana

Sonoran Sunday: Up Close with Sonoran Desert Tortoise at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead -  18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Come learn about one of the Sonoran Desert’s most fascinating denizens, the Sonoran desert tortoise. These little tanks of the desert can withstand scorching summers, cold winters, can go months in between

More Pie Please Hike at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Join us for a hike to burn off some calories with family and friends. You won’t feel a bit guilty about having that second piece of pie! Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead - 12601 N 124th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~2.5 miles

Ride/Hike the South at Quartz Trailhead Join us on this ride and hike from the Quartz Trailhead at 104th and McDowell Mountain Road. This is a low intermediate ride of moderate cardio and intermediate skills. We will ride the Quartz Trail west to the WestWorld Trail, go around the golf course and head uphill east

Desert 101 North Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 Alma School Rd,

Women's Balanced Rock Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead Join us and hike to one of the favorite destinations in the Preserve. This hike is perfect for  those who identify as women. Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~4.2 miles Time: ~2 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If you would like to

Lecture - Inspiration: Frank Lloyd Wright and the Sonoran Desert at Mustang Library Location: Mustang Library - 10101 N 90th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 Presenter: Stuart Graff, President/COO, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Frank Lloyd Wright came to Arizona in the 1920s to assist with the design of the Arizona Biltmore, and stayed to work on

Return to Azatlan Educational Hike Azatlan is the contemporary archaeological name given to a large Hohokam community that existed north of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Reservation and east of Rio Verde. Join PastFinders experts for a hike through one of the largest archeological sites in central Arizona, which lies right next door to the Preserve

Ride Secrets of the Preserve Educational Ride at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Ready to discover more about what is in the Preserve, beside the excitement of a trail riding? This is the ride for you! Join our PastFinder stewards in exploring the Preserve's recent ranching history and the ancient way of life of the Native American

Women's Bike Ride at Fraesfield Trailhead This bike ride is a beginner skill level ride and moderate cardio. This ride is perfect for those who identify as women. Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill Level: Intermediate Distance: ~9 miles Time: 3.5 hours Please, no road bikes, hybrids, folding

Desert 101 South Educational Walk at Gateway Trailhead The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive. Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale,

Lifecycle of the Saguaro Educational Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead Native only to the Sonoran Desert, these giant cacti are a sight to see! Join us to follow the growth of a saguaro from seed to skeleton and view multi-armed, old saguaros. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level:

Sonoran Sunday: Backyard Wildlife at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead –  18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Arizona is home to over 800 species of animals so it’s not surprising to have encounters with them in our backyard, neighborhood, or out on the trail. Nancy Kreuder, Wildlife Education Outreach Coordinator Arizona Game and

Wildlife Camera Research Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Did you ever wonder how scientists get those fabulous wildlife pictures? Join us to learn what it takes to do wildlife research in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Citizen scientists will discuss locating wildlife corridors, camera placement, and everything needed, including lots of patience, to produce research data. Location:

Lecture- Surviving and Thriving in the Sonoran Desert at Mustang Library Location: Mustang Library – 10101 N 90th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 We will trace the path and the challenges that the Indigenous people from the North faced on their journey to the Sonoran Desert. We will learn of the amazing properties of many desert plants