Join Ranger Shaun for an intro to arthropods and a short bug catching trip! Come learn about the different groups of arthropods! What is the difference between a bug and an insect? Do scorpions eat spiders or the other way around? Can a whipscorpion sting? Do camel spiders eat camels? What about camel crickets? Water...
Stop by the Nature Center to learn about San Tan’s animal ambassadors with Ranger Nikki during this drop-in session. Ranger Nikki will introduce you to San Tan’s animal ambassadors, including snakes, chuckwallas, tortoises, and a Gila monster. Learn about their life cycles, adaptations and what you should do if you encounter their relatives on the...
After your morning hikes cool off in the nature center at a discovery table and talk to Ranger Derik about the diverse plants and animals that call the desert home. A table will be set up in the nature center with artifacts that have been throughout the Maricopa County Park System. Artifacts will include Hohokam...
The course is divided into two sections. The first half of the course is a classroom lecture portion where participants learn about misconceptions and discuss real rattlesnake behavior. The second half participants with learn how to safely relocate a rattlesnake using proper safety equipment. Each participant receives a certificate once they learn how to safely relocate a rattlesnake. If the participant...
Review different types of animal teeth and create your own animal puppet! Funded by the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation’s “Back to School” Dental Hygiene Support Program. Free with Admission
Interact with some of our special animals, which for many people is a once in a lifetime experience. Guests will get to learn about endangered species, how we contribute to conservation of those animals, some of the considerations we must take into consideration when having these reptiles in Arizona, which reptiles are good pets for children or adults, adaptations...
Missed the class? No worries? Ranger Shaun is still hanging out with the bugs! Come chat! Ranger Shaun will be on location at the Cave Creek Nature Center with the Ambassadors from his Bug Class this morning for “T." time! If you had questions you didn’t get answered, wanted a closer look, or maybe couldn’t make...
Join us at MACH1 for Thursday Maker Hour: Crawling Caterpillars! Together we'll transform simple household supplies into magnificent caterpillars and beautiful leaves while learning about the butterfly life cycle! Plus we'll look at photos of a dazzling array of caterpillars from around the world! This program is a walk-in program for children of all ages and...
Help Ranger Kevin celebrate Tarantula Appreciation Day by joining him for a closer look at these amazing arachnids. Are you scared silly of spiders? Deathly afraid of arachnids? Well, perhaps a little knowledge about these incredible animals can help you fight your fears. We’ll give you five good reasons (or more) why tarantulas deserve to...
Join Ranger Kevin for a family-friendly evening of fun and adventure as we set off in search of desert wildlife. We’ll be taking an approximately 3-mile evening hike amidst the scenic beauty of the North trail. As we go, we’ll be looking out for all kinds of evening-active critters, from skunks to scorpions, spiders, snakes,...