Invasive species are among the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent...
Balanced Rock, Chuckwagon, Whiskey Bottle, Turpentine Trails at Granite Mountain Trailhead Location: Granite Mountain Trailhead – 31402 N 136th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Difficult Distance: ~7.3 miles Time: ~3 hours We will hike to Balanced Rock along the very scenic south side of Granite Mountain, to Whiskey Bottle Trail, and return via the...
Learn about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem and its unique plants and animals during this guided hike with Ranger Eric. Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike to learn about the flora, fauna, and ecology of the Sonoran Desert on this 3.4-mile loop hike of Blevins, Meridian, and Amigos Wash Trails. The trails are rated easy...
Enjoy a naturalist-guided nature walk at Honey Bee Village Archaeological Preserve to learn about this historic cultural site. Honey Bee Village, a large Hohokam settlement, includes a ballcourt, a large walled compound with plaza, and cluster of 19 large trash mounds representing an almost 500 year occupation. Location:Honey Bee Village The parking lot for Honey...
Trailside Naturalist – What Bird was that? 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...
Join Ranger Nikki to search for and learn about wildflowers and flowering shrubs. Ranger Nikki will lead you on an easy to moderate terrain 2-mile walk to learn about common...
Wildflower 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 Come celebrate spring in the desert and experience the Preserve dressed in its most beautiful colors. Join us on this easy walk to discover the incredible...
The CPR/AED combination training course is for anyone who needs a community level CPR certification (issued by ASHI). Participants will be certified in the use of an AED and learn...
Ride Secrets of the Preserve Educational Ride at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead – 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate Distance: ~11 miles...
The Childcare & Babysitting Safety (CABS) course, helps build confidence, self-esteem and skills necessary to care for infants and children on a daily basis and in emergency situations. Topics include: starting your business, communicating with parents, relating to children, key safety, care-giving, and first aid tips. Students receive a workbook and a 2 year CABS...
We invite you to be part of something extraordinary – a Blood Drive that has the power to save lives! Every drop count, and your contribution can make a difference. Join us for a day of compassion and community, as we come together to support those facing medical challenges. Please register.
Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters. Visit the historic buildings and corrals and enjoy the special exhibits of the people of Canoa. Designed for ages 12 and...
Families are welcome at the Monarch Haven and Reading Sanctuary at Red Mountain Library to celebrate the spring equinox. Southwest Monarch Study will share their expertise about monarch butterflies in Arizona. City of Mesa Environmental & Sustainability staff will be onsite to answer questions about green programs and will be giving away origami butterflies. The library will...
Teen Musician Mechanics takes place on Saturdays at 10:00 am in Camp Verde Community Library's Teen Library. TMM will be focused on the nuts-and-bolts side of musical instruments, in a literal sense: repairing, modifying, maintaining, and experimenting. From learning to restring a guitar, to repairing internal wiring, TMM will give newer players agency over their instrument and allow...
The Boeing 747SP will be open for tours on select days this spring from 10am-3pm. Access is included with admission on these days. Purchase upon arrival. Tours will run continuously, lasting about 10 mins. The tour takes you through the main cabin and does not include access to the flight deck. SOFIA is located behind (south) of...
Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters. Visit the historic buildings and corrals and enjoy the special exhibits of the people of Canoa. Designed for ages 12 and up.
Learn how to work with graphics in Cricut Design Space, including: How to create designs in the software Other software you can use to create designs How to find images...
Join Ranger Nikki to search for and learn about wildflowers and flowering shrubs. Ranger Nikki will lead you on an easy to moderate terrain 2-mile walk to learn about common spring wildflowers and flowering shrubs. Possible sightings include fiddleneck, poppies, lupine, scorpionweed, brittlebush, globemallow and more! You can also learn how to document your findings...
STEAM Time is a pop-up makerspace for kids and teens that provides hands-on opportunities to design, experiment, and invent as they engage in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) through self-guided tinkering. Join us to make, create and play!
Learn how to identify common desert and backyard birds with Ranger Eric at this stationary program at the Nature Center. Join Ranger Eric at the Usery Nature Center to watch birds around the feeders and learn bird identification basics, field guides and apps, and citizen science. Chairs will be available to use and the area...
We're celebrating Spring Training in Surprise! Join us for Baseball Science- a program that combines the excitement of baseball with the wonders of science! We'll explore the physics of throwing...
Information on the April 8 eclipse, and how to safely view it. Then, learn how to make your own eclipse viewer. Bring an empty cereal box. Space is limited.
Learn to sew. Participants will begin with prepared projects to develop skills using sewing machines, then progress to individual projects. All materials provided. Age 10 and up. Adults welcome.
Expedition Reef show reveals in exquisite detail the breathtaking beauty and biodiversity of coral reefs—and the scientists taking action to restore them. Recommended for general audiences. Themes: Sea, Climate, Biology Style: Fulldome documentary followed by live presentation Planetarium Tickets Adults: $12 Children (ages 3-15): $8 Children ages 2 and under: Free Discounted Rates Seniors (55+) and...
Got questions about the Sonoran Desert or the things that live there? Ask Ranger Kevin! Come to the Nature Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Bring your burning...
Take a relaxing look at the night sky as we give you a guided tour of the stars, planets, constellations and current events happening in Tucson's night sky. This live astronomy talk is constantly changing! Recommended for general audiences. Themes: Stars, planets, constellations, mythology Style: Live presentation Planetarium Tickets Adults: $12 Children (ages 3-15): $8 Children ages...
Explore the night skies from the summit of Mt. Lemmon using Arizona's LARGEST publicly available telescopes! Under the guidance of a professional, visitors will enjoy a brief astronomy lecture, a light dinner, and an exclusive opportunity to observe astronomical objects and phenomena. This five-hour program starts 2 hours prior to sunset and accommodates up to...
Join us for our next Science at Sunset series and explore the physics that power the most extreme gamma-ray bursts and supermassive black holes. Science exhibit admission, activities, and seats to the lecture from Dr. Kate Alexander and the return of the popular "Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity" planetarium show are included with...
Join us for a star party to explore the night sky at Cattail Cove State Park! We'll be stargazing in the park's boat parking lot to take in beautiful views of Lake Havasu and the sparkling night sky. The event is free with the paid park entry fee ($10 per vehicle). Havasu Astronomy Club members...