Walk Like a Tortoise Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Distance: ~1 mile Time: ~2 hours Join us as we learn about and look for signs of the Sonoran Desert tortoise. This leisurely walk on the Jane Rau Trail […]

Women's Bike Ride (Beginners) at Brown's Ranch Trailhead This all women’s bike ride is an beginner skill level ride and Moderate Cardio.  This ride is perfect for those who identify as women. Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate Distance: ~10-12 miles Time: ~3 hours Please, […]

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? Then come prepared with a mountain bike with knobby tires, helmet, water, and snacks. We begin with a demonstration and presentation by experienced riders […]

Trailside Naturalist – Butterfly Abundance, Richness and Diversity at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead – 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Time: ~2.5 hours Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to find out all about the many species of butterflies that live in the Preserve. Pipevines and sulphers and skippers, oh […]

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 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Pets […]

The Hidden Desert Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours 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, […]

Sonoran Sunday: Soaring Desert Birds of Prey at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead –  18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Wild at Heart, a local raptor rescue organization, will provide an up-close encounter with several rescued birds of prey. Learn why these remarkable birds are rescued, how they can be rehabilitated and released […]

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Fraesfield Trailhead Spend about 2 hours 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: Fraesfield Trailhead – 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Bathrooms […]

Lecture- Discover the McDowell Sonoran Preserve at Mustang Library Nearly a million visitors enjoy Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve each year. Learn from an insider how to get the most out of your trip! A local expert from the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy will help you discover all the ways to explore and protect the “best” preserve […]

Trailside Naturalist – Protecting the Desert Tortoise at Gateway Trailhead Location: Gateway Trailhead – 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Time: ~2.5 hours Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to learn all about the desert tortoises that live in the Preserve. How does the desert tortoise survive the long hot Sonoran […]

Biodiversity in the Sonoran Desert Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Sonoran Desert is the most biodiverse desert in the world, and the closer you look, the more there is to see! Join us for a biodiversity […]

Ride to the Crested Saguaros at Brown's Ranch Trailhead  Ever notice the crested saguaros in the Preserve? Come ride with us to see a large number scattered throughout the north. This is an advanced skill and vigorous cardio ride. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate […]

Bird Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Join us to view our year-round resident birds. We may also see some that only spend the winter in our area. Possible sightings include phainopepla, black-throated sparrow, white-crowned sparrow, black-tailed […]

Geology Educational Hike at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead This hike recreates the route that led to the first geology project in the Preserve, our first peer-reviewed publication, and the genesis of the Parsons Field Institute program. This hike is rocky in places with modest climbs and descents going over Lost Dog Overlook. Location: Lost Dog […]

All About Arizona Educational Hike at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead This hike is a celebration of Arizona; the state flower, state tree, state mineral, and more. Join us on this hike with beautiful views and some uphill sections with rocky terrain. Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead - 12601 N 124th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 Skill […]

Crested Saguaro Hike at Granite Mountain Trailhead Join us on this hike as we pass by 3 crested saguaro cacti. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~7 miles Time: ~3 hours Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If […]

South Diablo Trail Explorer Hike at Brown's Ranch Trailhead This hike will head to the South Diablo Trail where you will experience several interesting boulder formations. There will be stops at Cathedral Rock and the Amphitheater along the way. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 […]

Hunter/Gatherers Educational Hike at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Join our expert archaeologist 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 […]

Ride Beginner Next Step at Pima Dynamite Trailhead This will be an opportunity for beginner riders to review the skills learned in the Mountain Bike Skills Clinic and be exposed to new adventures. If you have not attended one of the clinics, you should have solid basic skills on single-track to benefit from this class. We […]

Venom in the Preserve Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours Some reptiles and arthropods in the Sonoran Desert use venom or other poisons to defend themselves or subdue their prey. Learn how to recognize these animals […]

Ride Geology Educational Ride at Brown's Ranch Trailhead When, how and why did all those different rocks get into the Preserve? How about our own earthquake fault? This is an intermediate skills and moderate cardio ride and will take us through the various geological formations of the area. Get the big picture on a bike. […]

High Desert & Stagecoach Trails Hike at Brown's Ranch Trailhead This hike will take you into the High Desert Trail area with a stop at Cathedral Rock. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~7.4 miles Time: ~4 hours Pets are not […]

Desert Connections Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Location: Fraesfield Trailhead - 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours 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 […]

Granite Mountain Loop and Balanced Rock at Granite Mountain Trailhead Join us and hike on one of the classic paths in the Preserve and a side trip to Balanced Rock. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead - 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~6.8 miles Time: ~3.5 hours Pets […]

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 […]

Trailside Naturalist – Big Cats in the Preserve at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Time: ~2.5 hours Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to learn about mountain lions that live in the Preserve. Mountain Lions, also known in North America as the […]

Desert 101 North Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours 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 […]

Ride Thirty Miler at Pima Dynamite Trailhead This ride is longer and more intense than our other rides, tracking the perimeter of the northern Preserve. This is a difficult skill and a vigorous cardio ride. Location: Pima Dynamite Trailhead - 28777 N Pima Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~30 miles Time: ~5 […]

Flora in the Preserve Educational Walk at Brown's Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown's Ranch Trailhead - 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Preserve is located in one of the most biodiverse areas of the Sonoran Desert. Learn about the plant life that thrives in this area. Note: […]

Taliesin, Old Jeep and Ringtail Hike at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Come hike some of the original trails in the Preserve with great views of Scottsdale and the desert. Experienced hikers suggested. Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead - 12601 N 124th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~5.5 miles Time: ~3 hours Pets […]

Lecture- Architectural Design Principles for the Sonoran Desert at Mustang Library Doug Sydnor had an architectural practice in Scottsdale for many years. His presentation will explore the Sonoran Desert and the environmental conditions that suggest how an appropriate architecture should respond to these conditions. Such responses will include a series of passive energy saving concepts […]

Walk with Natural Resources Coordinator at Granite Mountain Trailhead Spend about 2 hours 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: Granite Mountain Trailhead – 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 […]

Expedition Days Homeschool Day at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Join us for a day of fun interactive experiences in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Learn about your place in the Sonoran Desert and how the choices you make in your daily life affect the future of our environment. Location: Lost Dog Trailhead - 12601 N. […]

Expedition Days Family Day at Lost Dog Wash Trailhead Join us for a day of fun interactive experiences in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Learn about your place in the Sonoran Desert and how the choices you make in your daily life affect the future of our environment. Location: Lost Dog Wash Trailhead – 12601 […]