| Bird Hikes - Estrella Mountain Regional Park |
| Estrella Mountain Park |
| Join knowledgeable folks from the Sonoran Audubon Society for an easy hike along the Gila River discovering the bird life of Estrella Park. Between the river habitat, the mesquite bosque, nearby farm fields, and the turf area, over 150 different species have been observed. We are likely to see up to 40 species, including: Herons, Egrets, Kingfishers, Ospreys, Hawks, Ibis, and Stilts. When you think about it, everyone is a birdwatcher-you can do it wherever or whoever you are-but it's more fun if you know what they are. Meet Saturday at the Nature Center. Bring your own binoculars and books if you have them, a limited number will be available if you don't. This hike series will be ending in April. Helpful Information: Rain cancels event. |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 8:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
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| Location: Estrella Mountain Regional Park |
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Address:
14805 West Vineyard Avenue
Goodyear, AZ 85338 |
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| Horses, Gold and Critters Oh My!- Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Get your boots on and come on out to Cave Creek Trailrides! Get a hands on “Old West” experience within our 3 Exploration Stations, where you will gain knowledge and connect as a group! Station 1 provides a great introduction to the world of horses from anatomy and feeding to cost of ownership and tack! At Station 2 you’ll receive basic riding instruction and be introduced to your own horse for a scenic trail ride through Cave Creek Regional Park. Last, at Station 3 the Ranger will introduce you to the unique critters that call the Sonoran Desert home and you will also get the chance to try your hand at gold panning while learning about the rich mining history of the area. This program is geared towards girl scouts (grades 4-5) earning a Horse Rider or Fan Badge. Advanced registration is required. For more information please contact Deb Bitton at 623-742-6700 or deb@cavecreektrailrides.com |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Duration: 4 hours |
| Speaker: Deb Bitton and Ranger Mark |
| Registration Required: Yes |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entry fee + program fee |
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| More Info: http://www.cavecreektrailrides.com |
| Contact: Deb Bitton at 623-742-6700 or deb@cavecreektrailrides.com |
| Location: Meet at the Horse Trailrides |
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Address:
37019 N. Lava Lane
Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
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| Archery 202 - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| For those who completed our “Archery 101” class, this class will take you to the next level! Participants will learn about field target archery, discover how to improve their accuracy, and enjoy some friendly competition. Equipment will be provided. Participants must be graduates of our “Archery 101” class. This class is open to ages 8 and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Advanced registration is required. Please call the park at 480-984-0032 to register. Limited to 20 participants. Please bring water, hats, and closed-toe shoes. Meet at the Archery Range. |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Registration Required: Yes |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Desert Photography Walk - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Want to learn how to take beautiful photos in a desert environment? Whatever your level, this one-mile walk along the Merkle Trail will give you lots of useful tips and techniques! Our instructor, Steven Lewis, has years of experience as a photographer. The Merkle Trail is barrier-free and offers universal access. The hard-smooth surface of this trail will accommodate wheelchairs. Please bring water, hats, and your camera. Location: Area 6 |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 10:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Man of the Mountain Hike - San Tan |
| San Tan Mountain Regional Park |
| Imagine living underneath the shelter of a Palo Verde tree as you mine for gold in the heat of the desert. While this may not be the typical lifestyle many of us would choose, learn about the enchanting true story of a man that did just that and the remarkable impact he had on those he came in contact with. Join our Interpretive Ranger for this awe-inspiring 2-mile voyage along the Goldmine Trail to uncover the mysterious life of the Man of the Mountain and to find out who is buried in the graves at San Tan Mountain Regional Park. |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Duration: 1 hour |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 vehicle park entry fee |
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| More Info: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/santan/ |
| Contact: (480) 655-5554 |
| Location: San Tan Mountain Regional Park - Visitor Center |
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Address:
6533 W Phillips Road
Queen Creek, AZ 85242 |
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| Polliwogin’ Storytime - Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Storytime is geared towards our youngest nature enthusiasts (ages 2 – 6)! Join us for a themed program set around a children's book. Activities will follow and may include live animals, songs, crafts, a short hike and/or games. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Meet at the Nature Center. |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Duration: 1 hour |
| Speaker: Rose Storck |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: Ranger Mark - markpaulat@mail.maricopa.gov |
| Location: Meet at the Nature Center |
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Address:
37900 N. Cave Creek Parkway
Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
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| Saturday Bird Walk - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| How do you tell one brown bird from the next, and what are the first three items to look for as the little rascal flits off? Are you already a novice but interested in keeping a yearly, state or country bird list? Bird expert, Sandy Hornbaker, will talk about bird habitat, behavior, range, etc. as we go in search of the native birds in this area. Please bring binoculars, water, and closed-toe shoes. Location: Nature Center. |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 10:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| The Desert Grocery Store – North Trail- McDowell Park |
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| The Sonoran Desert is a virtual grocery store and pharmacy… if you know where to look. See (and sample) some of what people used to eat before grocery stores came to Phoenix, and find out which ones are still consumed. Try a chocolate chip cookie made with mesquite flour, or a cracker with agave nectar, along this easy, 2 mile stroll. Meet at the North Trail Trailhead. |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM |
| Speaker: Ranger Amy |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: amyburnett@mail.maricopa.gov 480-471-0173x201 |
| Location: McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
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Address:
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255 |
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| Mammals of the Sonoran Desert - Estrella Mountain Regional Park |
| Estrella Mountain Park |
| There are a lot of misunderstandings as to what constitutes a mammal. In this presentation you will learn about the origins and subtle, but not always visible characteristics of the 1460 (and counting) plus creatures that are classified as mammals. Meet in the Estrella Mountain Park Nature Center Classroom at 11:00 am. |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 11:00 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
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| Contact: 623-932-3811 |
| Location: Estrella Mountain Regional Park - Nature Center Classroom |
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Address:
14805 West Vineyard Avenue
Goodyear, AZ 85338 |
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| Natural History Hike - Lake Pleasant |
| Lake Pleasant Regional Park |
| Come join naturalist Frank Meyerholtz at the Visitor Center for some insight into the Sonoran Desert and to stretch your legs on the Roadrunner Trail, a scenic short hike with Frank. |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Duration: 2 hours |
| Speaker: Naturalist Frank Meyerholtz |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: Terry Gerber, Interpretive Ranger 602-372-7460 ext. 202 |
| Location: Lake Pleasant Regional Park Visitor Center 623-780-9857 |
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Address:
Take Hwy 74 to Castle Hot Springs Rd., turn right into park, follow signs to visitor center.
Peoria, AZ |
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| Snake Feeding - San Tan |
| San Tan Mountain Regional Park |
| It’s dinner time at San Tan and our snakes have an appetite that can only be described as “striking.” Watch as the Snakes and Gila Monster, inside the visitor center, stretch their jaws and swallow their prey whole. Feel free to ask the ranger questions and learn some “rattling” new facts about reptiles. (Please note that this event will feature snakes eating pre-killed mice and may not be suitable for all ages.) |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Duration: 1 hour |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 vehicle park entry fee |
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| More Info: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/santan/ |
| Contact: (480) 655-5554 |
| Location: San Tan Mountain Regional Park - Visitor Center |
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Address:
6533 W. Phillips Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85142 |
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| Birding By Ear- indoor program- McDowell Park |
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| Ever heard a bird fly by and thought..."oh, if I -only- knew bird songs"? Well, now is your chance. Learn bird calls and laugh at...I mean, along with, Ranger Amy, lifelong birdwatcher and self-proclaimed bird nerd and bird call imitator. We'll focus only on birds you're likely to see in your desert backyard. In addition to the presentation, we'll discuss free and/or inexpensive multi-media tools you can use to help you identify 'mystery birds' in the field. Meet at the Visitor Center. This non-hiking program takes place in our Nature Center. |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Duration: 1 hour |
| Speaker: Ranger Amy Burnett |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: amyburnett@mail.maricopa.gov 480-471-0173 x201 |
| Location: Visitor Center -- McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
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Address:
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255 |
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| Animal "Signs" - Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Animal "Signs" are everywhere, if you know what to look for. Have you ever been curious to know who made those "tracks" in the dirt? Or have you ever wondered who dug that "hole"? Join Ranger Mark as we investigate Animal "Signs". We will begin our adventure inside the Nature Center learning about the different clues they leave behind. Then we will take a hike to apply what we have learned. As a fun activity you can make a plaster cast of animal tracks to take home. Please bring water, wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. No dogs please. Meet at the Nature Center. |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
| Speaker: Ranger Mark |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: Ranger Mark - markpaulat@mail.maricopa.gov |
| Location: Meet at the Nature Center |
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Address:
37900 N. Cave Creek Parkway
Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
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| PROGRAM MOVED TO NEXT WEEK Hummingbirds of Arizona, Live! - Lake Pleasant |
| Lake Pleasant Regional Park |
| ***THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN MOVED TO 1/19/2013*** Learn about these fast flyers from the volunteers at
Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center, from 2PM to 4PM. They will have several live hummers on display and answer all your hummingbird questions. |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Duration: 2 hours |
| Speaker: Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center Volunteers |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: Terry Gerber, Interpretive Ranger 602-372-7460 ext. 202 |
| Location: Lake Pleasant Regional Park Visitor Center 623-780-9857 |
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Address:
Take Hwy 74 to Castle Hot Springs Rd., turn right into park, follow signs to visitor center.
Peoria, AZ |
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| Campground Nature Walk - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Join park host, Sandy Hornbaker, for a late afternoon sojourn through our campground and nature trail on a quest to spot desert wildlife and plants. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, but bring binoculars, your afternoon tea, and a little patience. Be prepared to walk one to two miles. Please bring water, hats, and closed-toe shoes. Location: Campsite 21 in the Buckhorn Campground. |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 4:00 PM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Sunset Over Spur Cross |
| Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area |
| January 12 Saturday 4:00 pm Sunset Over Spur Cross
(easy) Come with us on a casual stroll along the Metate Trail as the sun sets over the hills of the conservation area. The twilight is a prime time to watch for wildlife and take pictures so bring some binoculars and a camera. |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Duration: 2 hours |
| Speaker: Kevin Smith, Interpretive Ranger |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $3 per person |
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| Contact: Kevin Smith, Park Ranger at 480-488--6623 or e-mail kevinsmith@mail.maricopa.gov |
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| Stargazing at White Tank Mountain Park |
| White Tank Mountains Regional Park |
| Come and view an informative and entertaining slide presentation and then look at the night sky through telescopes that will be set up for closer viewing of the celestial bodies. Meet at Area 4 about 7:15. Program starts at 7:30 pm. Feel free to bring a lawn chair or something to sit on. Program lasts about 2.0 hours. |
| Date: 1/12/2013 |
| Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Duration: 2 hours |
| Speaker: Dr. Tony LaConte |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle - Park entry fee |
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