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 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  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 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   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 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 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 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 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 […]

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 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, […]

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.

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 […]

Feldspar and Mesquite Canyon Fitness Walk at Tom’s Thumb Trailhead Join us for a leisurely walk in the areas below Tom’s Thumb. Slower pace and frequent stops with time to admire the great views and treasures on the ground as well as discussions about desert topics. Location: Tom's Thumb Trailhead - 23015 North 128th Street, […]

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 […]

Lecture - Wild Kingdom of Scottsdale: Tales of Survival in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve at Scottsdale Civic Center Library Did you know that you have your own Sonoran Desert wild kingdom, right here in Scottsdale? The Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran is home to over 1,000 plants and animals, all with their own unique, strange, and fascinating […]

Lecture - Ecology of Desert Dirt at Mustang Library Rock, dirt, and soil are the foundation for everything that lives in the desert. But what’s the difference between them, and how does one turn into another? Through illustrations and demonstrations, learn what’s unique about desert soil, and the important role dust plays in supporting life […]