Maricopa County Parks and Recreation: Blooms and Butterflies Hike

Ranger Nikki will lead you on a hike to look for cactus blooms, wildflowers and pollinators visiting flowers. Learn how to document your findings on the citizen science app, iNaturalist,* and how to join app-based local and worldwide biodiversity projects. We will also talk about the Parks Department butterfly monitoring initiative, and you will receive an identification handout to help with your own observations. The route will be a 3-mile easy terrain loop on North Trail. The trail surface ranges from smooth and level to rocky and uneven. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring snacks and plenty of water. Bring a camera and notebook to log your observations. Restrooms and water are available both south and north of the Trailhead parking area.

*Due to limited connectivity in parks, it’s advised to download the iNaturalist app and create an account while on wi-fi before arriving at the park.

MEETING LOCATION: North Trail trailhead. Please allow 10 minutes to drive from the park entry station to the meetup trailhead.

Limit 20 participants. To register, please call the Nature Center at 602-506-2930 ext. 3 with your name, phone number, and number of people attending. If you find you cannot attend a program after you have registered, please email the ranger ASAP so we may contact those on the waiting list. Registration for this program will close on Monday, April 1.

We invite everyone to return as a park citizen scientist on April 26-29 for the City Nature Challenge, an international effort that encourages all citizens to find and document plants and wildlife on iNaturalist in cities across the globe. This bioblitz-style competition challenges local communities to make the most observations in nature during this 4-day period, and then this data is available for science, management, and conservation. So this April 26-29, connect with your open spaces, your community, and other global naturalists using only your phone or camera to record nature wherever you go! For more info, check out http://www.citynaturechallenge.org.