| Yoga – Connect In Nature! – All Levels Class - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Connect with nature in Usery Park’s Nature Center by exploring your breath before a desert hike. Improve your balance for a bike ride through easy-to-learn, fundamental yoga postures. This all-levels class for both beginners and experienced yogis sets the tone for your day of hiking, riding or…yes, even your workday! Please join Inner Vision Yoga and their certified instructors for inspiring yoga every Monday night at 6pm, Tuesday and Thursday at 9am, and Saturday at 8:30am. Sign up for these fee-based classes at www.innervisionyoga.com or drop into the park. For more information see websites, or call 480-632-7899 or 480-984-0032. Location: Nature Center |
| Date: 3/31/2012 |
| Time: 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: Fee-based program |
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| Location: Nature Center |
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Address: 3939 N. Usery Pass Rd. Mesa, AZ 85207 |
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| Wildflower Walk - Spur Cross |
| Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area |
| March 31 Saturday 9:00 am Wildflower Walk
(moderate) Come and see what’s blooming in Spur Cross. This three-hour stroll along the Spur Cross Trail will showcase some of the wildflowers found in the park and explore the beauty of the conservation area. |
| Date: 3/31/2012 |
| Time: 9:00 AM Duration: 3 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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| "Just for Kids" - Desert CSI (Critter Scene Investigations) - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Calling all animal detectives! Join us on a wild search to find out which desert animals have crossed our path. Help investigate the clues that animals leave behind and go home an expert critter scene investigator! We will start with a live animal presentation that will get you ready for this adventure. Next, you will explore a secret area of the park looking for clues to find out what critters have been there. Who knows what will be around the next corner! Children ages 5-12 and their caregivers will enjoy this up-close experience with the animals that call our desert “home.” Please bring water, hats, and closed-toe shoes. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. No pets, please. Uneven terrain on the trail is not conducive to strollers and wheelchairs. Feel free to bring a blanket or camp chair to use during the animal presentation portion of this program. You are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the park after the program. Location: Group Picnic Area C. |
| Date: 3/31/2012 |
| Time: 9:30 AM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Desert Wildflower Walks- Trailhead Staging Area– McDowell Park |
| McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
| Join Ranger Amy to identify the gorgeous desert flowers that are blooming in the desert. Every week, different species will appear as the wildflower season unfolds—it is always a surprise what we find! Call the park for updates. Be sure to bring your camera! Meet at the Trailhead Staging Area. |
| Date: 3/31/2012 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Duration: 1 1/2 hours |
| Speaker: Ranger Amy Ford |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: amyford@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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| Reptile Feeding - Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Have you ever seen a reptile eat? Join the staff after your morning hike and see how our cold-blooded residents eat their meals for yourself! Frozen rodent entrees will be served to the critters. Come learn about the important roles these creatures play in our dynamic food web. Feeding takes place at the Nature Center. |
| Date: 3/31/2012 |
| Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Duration: 1 hour |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: Ranger Sarah sarahsteele@mail.maricopa.gov |
| Location: Meet at the Nature Center |
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Address: 37019 N. Lava Lane Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
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| All About Our Sonoran Desert - "Brown-Bag It" with Ranger B - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| What makes our Sonoran Desert the most unique desert on Earth? What are the important things you need to know about our own habitat? If you would like to know the answers to these questions, or any questions you may have about our Sonoran Desert, then this one-hour presentation is for you! Bring your sandwich to the “Brown-Bag It” series inside our Nature Center as Ranger B shares some amazing facts about our delightful desert. Location: Nature Center. |
| Date: 3/31/2012 |
| Time: 12:00 PM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| New to Arizona? - Walk - Usery Park |
| Usery Mountain Regional Park |
| Are you new to Arizona? Are you curious about cactus and scared of snakes? If so, join us for an introductory experience to the Sonoran Desert. After a question-and-answer session, we will take an enjoyable quarter-mile walk on our Desert Hawk Trail. Please bring water. Location: Nature Center. |
| Date: 3/31/2012 |
| Time: 1:30 PM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Venomous Creatures - Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Cave Creek Regional Park |
| Join us for a presentation about the venomous creatures you may find around the Valley! Enjoy the beauty of these wonderful and misunderstood animals while learning about fascinating facts and the important roles each creature plays in the desert ecosystem. As Marie Curie, French Physicist and two-time Nobel Prize recipient said “Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” Meet at Nature Center. |
| Date: 3/31/2012 |
| Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Duration: 1 hour |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per vehicle park entry fee |
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| Contact: Ranger Sarah sarahsteele@mail.maricopa.gov |
| Location: Meet at the Nature Center |
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Address: 37019 N. Lava Lane Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
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| Late Afternoon 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. Location: Campsite 21 in the Buckhorn Campground. |
| Date: 3/31/2012 |
| Time: 4:00 PM |
| Registration Required: No |
| Fee: $6.00 per car |
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| Stargazing for Everyone - San Tan |
| San Tan Mountain Regional Park |
| Come watch the sky with us! Look through telescopes (setup for your viewing pleasure) and enjoy a slide presentation under the stars. Learn the names of stars, see the constellations, and listen to stories of the night sky. When visible, view the craters of the moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and the rings of Saturn. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for your comfort. Information about the Challenger Learning Center of Arizona will be provided. This is a fun night out! Come alone or bring your entire family or group. We encourage you to bring your binoculars or family telescope and enjoy the views from San Tan Mountain Regional Park. |
| Date: 3/31/2012 |
| Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM |
| Speaker: Tony LaConte - Stargazing for Everyone |
| 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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