Preserve Origins Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is the largest continuous urban preserve in North America. It is part of the Sonoran Desert, the most biodiverse desert in the world. It encompasses over a third of the City of Scottsdale. How did all this happen? How did the people of Scottsdale […]

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Lost Dog Wash 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. […]

Women's Bike Ride at Fraesfield Trailhead This bike ride is a beginner skills and moderate cardio ride. Perfect for those that identify as women. Location: Fraesfield Trailhead – 13400 East Rio Verde Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill Level: Easy Distance: ~9 miles Time: ~3.5 hours A bike with wide knobby tires is required. Please, no […]

Desert Connections Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Everything in the desert is connected and always changing.  We'll explore how the environment--the mountains, the rocks, the climate, the washes, and more--affects the plants and animals that live here, how living things in turn change the environment, and how climate change and increasing development may impact what […]

Sonoran Sundays- Geology of the McDowell Mountains at Gateway Trailhead One of the geologists who was instrumental in the discovery of the Marcus Landslide in the McDowell Mountains will be sharing information on the unique rock forms and geology of the region. This educational presentation will offer interesting insights on the geological history and evolution […]

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 beautiful environment. Location: […]

Desert Origins and Adaptations Educational Hike at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Why is the Sonoran Desert here? Join us as we examine how climate and geomorphology interact to create a desert. The presenter will compare and contrast North American deserts, then focus on our Sonoran home and some adaptations necessary to survive this harsh environment. Location: […]

Lecture- Flora of the MSP, Part 1 (Cacti, Trees, and Large Shrubs) at Mustang Library OR Virtual An exploration of the plant life found in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. We live in the most diverse desert in the world. Learn more about the vegetation found in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This lecture will focus on […]

Arthropod Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Spiders, scorpions, bees, and wasps are just the beginning. There are more species of arthropods in the world than any other group of animals. Join us on this easy walk to discover the fascinating and diverse world of arthropods and their role in the ecology of the Sonoran […]

Lifecycle and Oddities of the Saguaro Ride at Pima Dynamite Trailhead Join us on this ride to see some of the magnificent saguaros only found in the Sonoran Desert. We will have a guest presenter who will discuss the lifecycle of the giant multiarmed saguaros and view many including skeletons and a crested saguaro located […]

Hunter Gatherers Educational Walk at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Join us as we explore the challenges of the Archaic hunter and gatherer to survive and thrive in the Sonoran Desert of 2,000 years ago. See important desert flora and fauna, hunting sites, and their importance to the survival of an Archaic band. Location: Lost Dog […]

Women's Hike at Tom's Thumb Trailhead Join us for an exploration of the interesting granite formations in the Marcus Landslide area. This hike is perfect for those who identify as women. Location: Tom’s Thumb Trailhead - 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 Skill level: Moderate Distance: ~4 miles / Time: ~2 hours Bathrooms are […]

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 […]

Women's Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Join us for this easy, social walk on the Jan Rau interpretive trail. This hike is perfect for those who identify as women. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Skill level: Easy Distance: ~1 miles Time: ~2 hours Bathrooms are available at the trailheads. Bring water and snacks for the trail. […]

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: Fraesfield […]

Mistletoe & Holly Educational Hike at Brown's Ranch Trailhead What do desert plants and animals have to do with the holidays? Join us and discover the hidden, festive desert connections over minimal elevation gain. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead – 30301 North Alma School Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Distance: ~3 miles Time: ~2.5 […]

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 North Alma School […]

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 […]

Desert 101 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 North Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ […]

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Brown's Ranch 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: […]

Learn the Line at Pima Dynamite Trailhead Have you felt nervous or unsure about how to ride over that rock or around that technical corner?  Come out and ‘learn the line’ to gain confidence on technical pieces, both up and down hills, speed control, body position, and moving your weight around. This is an intermediate […]