Flora in the Preserve Educational Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead

Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Flora in the Preserve Educational Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead The Preserve is located in one of the most biodiverse areas of the Sonoran Desert. Learn about the plant life that thrives in the Preserve. Download the iNaturalist app (inaturalist.org) on your smartphone and learn to identify different flora. Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours

Lecture – Desert Hacks and Facts at Arabian Library

Arabian Library 10215 E McDowell Mtn Ranch Rd., Scottsdale, AZ

Lecture - Desert Hacks and Facts at Arabian Library Len Marcisz, Legacy Steward for the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, will share a potpourri of skills, techniques, tricks, and facts that make a walk in the desert enjoyable, interesting and survivable. Location: Arabian Library

Ride the Gooseneck at Fraesfield Trailhead

Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ

Ride the Gooseneck at Fraesfield Trailhead A great sequel to the Bike Skills Clinic. It will travel over the flatter areas of the Gooseneck. The first 1/2 mile of the ride requires intermediate skills, but it is smooth sailing for the next 10-12 miles. This is an intermediate skills and moderate cardio ride. Location: Fraesfield

Trailside Naturalist – Packrats at Gateway Trailhead

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ

Trailside Naturalist - Packrats at Gateway Trailhead Sonoran Desert packrats have been collecting and preserving things found on the ground for 40,000 years! Stop by the Trailside Naturalist Station at the Gateway Trailhead between 8:00 and 11:00 A.M. to learn how ancient packrats and their distinctive behavior assist today’s scientists who study the history of

Lecture – Watching Wildlife: Biodiversity Monitoring in the Preserve at Mustang Library

Scottsdale Public Library - Mustang Library 10101 N 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Lecture - Watching Wildlife: Biodiversity Monitoring in the Preserve at Mustang Library All over the world, biodiversity is declining due to human impacts. The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy conducts multiple long-term ecological research projects in order to monitor biodiversity in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Learn how the Conservancy’s bat project and wildlife camera project demonstrate the importance

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic at Pima Dynamite Trailhead

Pima Dynamite Trailhead 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic at Pima Dynamite Trailhead  New to mountain biking? Looking to refresh your skills, improve your technique, enhance safety awareness, and increase your overall enjoyment on the trails? We begin with a demonstration and presentation by experienced riders covering the basic things you need to know, equipment requirements and trail etiquette. The

Sonoran Sundays – Create a Butterfly Garden with Native Plants at Gateway Trailhead

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ

Sonoran Sundays - Create a Butterfly Garden with Native Plants at Gateway Trailhead Learn how to create a butterfly garden using only native plants from our partners at Butterfly Wonderland. The goal is to achieve a garden that will provide a haven for butterflies to feed, rest and reproduce. Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 North

Bird Walk at Quartz Trailhead

Quartz Trailhead (undeveloped, no services) N 104th St &, N 102nd St, Scottsdale, AZ

Bird Walk at Quartz Trailhead   Join us on this easy walk over a rocky trail to see our year-round bird residents. We may see some migrants passing through. Possible sightings include phainopepla, American kestrel, gilded flicker, curve-billed thrasher, Abert’s towhee, or various warblers. Bring your own binoculars. Location: Quartz Trailhead Parking Lot - SW corner

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead

Tom’s Thumb Trailhead 23015 N. 128th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

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 pertinent topics are discussed during the walk in the desert. The material will depend on the season, animals, plants, and will cover whatever is happening in this wonderful environment. Location:

Bike Granite Mountain Loop at Granite Mountain Trailhead

Granite Mountain Trailhead 31402 N. 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Bike Granite Mountain Loop at Granite Mountain Trailhead Come and ride around Granite Mountain and the surrounding areas. This is an intermediate skills and moderate cardio ride. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 North 136th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate Distance: ~12-14 miles Time: ~2.5-3 hours All our rides are “no drop”, meaning

Trailside Naturalist – Reptiles at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead

Lost Dog Wash Trailhead 12601 N. 124th Street, Scottsdale, AZ

Trailside Naturalist - Reptiles at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Stop by the Trailside Naturalist station at the Lost Dog Wash Trailhead between 8:00 and 11:00 A.M. to learn about the various reptiles of the Sonoran desert, their unique behavior, eating habits and benefit to the ecosystem. Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead - 12601 North 124th

Women’s Walk at Gateway Trailhead

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ

Women's Walk at Gateway Trailhead Join us for this women's only walk on the Horseshoe Loop, 1.7 miles in about 2 hours.  Make new friends while enjoying a leisurely walk in our beautiful desert. This hike is perfect for those who identify as women. Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 North Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ

Brown’s Mountain Summit Fitness Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead

Brown's Ranch Trailhead 30301 N. Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Brown’s Mountain Summit Fitness Hike at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead This difficult hike climbs to the Summit of Brown’s Mountain and returns via the west side and Upper Ranch Trail. Elevation of 600 feet to the summit. Experienced hikers only. Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 North Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Pima Dynamite Trailhead

Pima Dynamite Trailhead 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Pima Dynamite Trailhead   Join us on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various pertinent topics are discussed during the walk in the desert. The material will depend on the season, animals, plants, and will cover whatever is happening in this beautiful environment. Location:

Ride from Pima Dynamite Trailhead

Pima Dynamite Trailhead 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Ride from Pima Dynamite Trailhead  Pima Dynamite Trailhead has many magnificent biking trails. Join us for a fun adventure ride on these trails. The downhill back to the trailhead will have you coming back here soon! This is an intermediate skills and moderate cardio ride. Location: Pima Dynamite Trailhead - 28777 North Pima Road, Scottsdale,

Trailside Naturalist – Arthropods at Gateway Trailhead

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ

Spiders, scorpions, and bugs! Did you know that about 84% of all animals are arthropods? Stop by the trailside naturalist station at the Gateway Trailhead between 8:00 and 11:00 A.M. to learn about the fascinating world of arthropods. Location: Gateway Trailhead - 18333 North Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead.

Fraesfield North to Balanced Rock Fitness Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead

Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ

Fraesfield North to Balanced Rock Fitness Hike at Fraesfield Trailhead This difficult hike has a moderate rocky uphill portion on the north side of Fraesfield Mountain, but the remainder of the hike covers relatively flat terrain. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance:

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Fraesfield Trailhead

Fraesfield Trailhead 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Fraesfield Trailhead Join us on an easy walk with a City of Scottsdale Natural Resources Coordinator as various pertinent topics are discussed during the walk in the desert. The material will depend on the season, animals, plants, and will cover whatever is happening in this beautiful environment. Location: Brown's

Hawknest, Basalt, Cone Mountain, Latigo Trails Fitness Hike at Pima Dynamite Trailhead

Pima Dynamite Trailhead 28777 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Hawknest, Basalt, Cone Mountain, Latigo Trails Fitness Hike at Pima Dynamite Trailhead This very difficult hike, due to its length and time, covers some rolling hills for experienced hikers. Explore these impressive trails with nice views and granite formations. Location: Pima Dynamite Trailhead - 28777 North Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Very Difficult