Events

Lifecycle of the Saguaro Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead.  Native only to the Sonoran Desert, these giant cacti are a sight to see! Join Legacy Steward Marsha Lipps and Master Steward Roger Riepe to follow the growth of a Saguaro from seed to skeleton and view multi-armed, old Saguaros. This walk covers about 1.5 hours […]

Learn why time in nature makes us happier, healthier, and more creative.  An easy 1.5 hour walk at Brown’s Trailhead where Toni Vallee and Max Sukenik will teach you how to use nature as a prescription to improve your overall well being.  Bathrooms available at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No […]

Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator at Pima Dynamite Trailhead  Spend 1 to 1.5 hours on an easy hike with John Loleit and Madison Barasha, Natural Resources Coordinators for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. They will share their knowledge about the Preserve and the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead.  Bring water […]

Stop by the Trailside Naturalist station at Gateway Trailhead between 9-11:30 A.M. to learn about the diverse plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert.  Our steward guides will have fascinating displays and lots of fun facts to share.  Featuring reptiles, arthropods, packrats, and cacti!  Bathrooms and water are available at the trailhead.

Hike with Natural Resources Coordinator at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead  Spend 1 to 1.5 hours on an easy hike with John Loleit and Madison Barasha, Natural Resources Coordinators for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. They will share their knowledge about the Preserve and the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead.  Bring water […]



Linking Plants, Pollinators and You We will explore the dynamic and varied world of Sonoran Desert Pollinators who coexist with us in every season and landscape. These pollinators, while offering our desert great beauty, also serve an important role in keeping the Sonoran Desert healthy. We will discuss the birds and the bees and cover other desert pollinators […]

Trailside Naturalist - Animal Olympics: Bobcats vs Coyotes - Gateway Trailhead Learn how our medium sized predators, the bobcat and coyote, have evolved while coexisting in our Sonoran Desert.  Looking at Bobcat and Coyotes skulls and skins, we will explain how they each evolved to become the Preserve's medium size predators in the cat and […]

Trailside Naturalist - Animal Olympics: Bobcats vs Coyotes - Brown's Ranch Trailhead Learn how our medium sized predators, the bobcat and coyote, have evolved while coexisting in our Sonoran Desert.  Looking at Bobcat and Coyotes skulls and skins, we will explain how they each evolved to become the Preserve's medium size predators in the cat […]