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