by Ashley Quay | Dec 1, 2021
Event Description
For this month we are on a quest to find and map the plants that are close to you.
For the December EcoQuest, the Metro Phoenix EcoFlora is doing things a little different. In the spirit of the holidays, you’re invited to observe plants that are close to you, ones that you’re grateful for and ones that resonate with you. Observations from this quest can increase our appreciation of plants and the way they brighten our day-to-day lives.
DATE:
December 2021
Time:
All Day
Location:
How Do I Join?
Sign up for iNaturalist and join this EcoQuest today!
Event Partners
CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.
by Ashley Quay | Nov 3, 2021
Event Description
For this EcoQuest, find and map as many pistache (Pistacia spp.) trees as possible.
Pistache trees have been recorded in metro Phoenix since 1963. Specifically, Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis) trees are being increasingly used for street trees in the area. Observations from this EcoQuest can help us see where these trees are growing, if they have invasive potential and learn about how wildlife may be utilizing them. We can also learn more about which pistache species can be found in metro Phoenix.
DATE:
November 2021
Time:
All Day
Location:
How Do I Join?
Sign up for iNaturalist and join the EcoQuest today!
Event Partners
CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.
by Ashley Quay | Aug 1, 2021
Event Description
Join the August Ecoquest: Look Out for Lovebirds! Help us find and map as many Rosy-faced lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis) and the plants they interact with as possible.
Rosy-faced lovebirds can be seen all over the Valley and are adored by many. Often thought of as a native bird, these cheeky characters were actually introduced to the area. Lovebirds can often be found near water sources, especially with palm trees or houses with roof tiles nearby. Bird feeders are also a common place to spot them. Use iNaturalist to see where they’ve been spotted in the past! How this species impacts other native wildlife hasn’t yet been scientifically studied. There could be plants we don’t know they are eating, or they could be interacting with other birds in ways we aren’t aware of.
DATE:
August 2021
Time:
All Day
Location:
How Do I Join?
Sign up for iNaturalist and join the EcoQuest today!
Event Partners
CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.
by Ashley Quay | Jul 1, 2021
Event Description
Join the July EcoQuest: Oleander Occurrence! Help us find and map as many oleander (Nerium oleander) plants as possible.
Oleander can be seen all over the valley and is commonly found in almost every nursery and garden center. It has a reputation as an extremely hardy, drought tolerant ornamental. You’re sure to see it featured in landscapes across almost the entirety of the country, including many neighborhoods across Metro Phoenix. Observations from this EcoQuest can help us determine how many oleanders are growing in the area. Together, we can learn about and find where this exotic plant may be may be taking up valuable local habitat that could otherwise benefit pollinators, ecosystems and people.
DATE:
July 2021
Time:
All Day
Location:
How Do I Join?
Sign up for iNaturalist and join the EcoQuest today!
Event Partners
CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.
by Ashley Quay | Jun 1, 2021
Event Description
Join the June EcoQuest: The Night Shift! Honey bees and birds are recognized and appreciated for pollination during the day, but who works the night shift?
Nocturnal pollinators are understudied, especially when compared to diurnal ones. These night workers and the plants they pollinate are often coadapted to one another, with unique relationships and features. When we think about pollinators, it’s important to remember the ones working the night shift are worthy of conservation consideration too. Observations from this EcoQuest can contribute data and information for nocturnal pollinator relationships and ecosystem services in metro Phoenix.
DATE:
June 2021
Time:
All Day
Location:
How Do I Join?
Sign up for iNaturalist and join the EcoQuest today!
Event Partners
CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.
by Ashley Quay | May 1, 2021
Event Description
Join the May EcoQuest: Up In Flames. Find and map as many wildfire fueling invasive plants as possible.
Wildfires are getting bigger, burning hotter and happening more frequently. One of the contributing factors for this is invasive plant species that provide fuel for fire. Observations from this EcoQuest can help map these invasives and contribute to the efforts of Desert Defenders.Â
This month’s EcoQuest is in collaboration with Desert Defenders. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on finding, mapping and removing invasive species at local parks and preserves. The plant species they focus on are known to have a moderate to severe impact on local ecosystems and communities. Learn more about and join Desert Defenders.
DATE:
May 2021
Time:
All Day
Location:
How Do I Join?
Sign up for iNaturalist and join the EcoQuest today!
Event Partners
CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.
by Ashley Quay | Apr 1, 2021
Event Description
Find and map as many cactus (Family Cactaceae) as possible!
Which plants are associated with the desert more than cactus? These prickly icons can be found all over metro Phoenix, from parks to street medians. Observations from this EcoQuest can help provide an initial view into species distribution and occurrence, which can help inform an urban population genetic study and provide insight into cactus biodiversity.
This month’s EcoQuest is in collaboration with the Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society (CACSS) and research plant scientist Tania Hernandez at Desert Botanical Garden.
DATE:
April 2021
Time:
All Day
Location:
How Do I Join?
Sign up for iNaturalist and join the EcoQuest today!
Event Partners
CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.
by Ashley Quay | Mar 1, 2021
Event Description
Join the March EcoQuest: Wildflower Wonders. Find and map as many wildflowers as possible!
Wildflower season is a cherished phenomenon in the Sonoran Desert. Blanketing the desert floor with impressive shapes and colors, these ephemeral wonders have specific requirements that allow them to flourish. Observing wildflowers can provide information on populations and how environmental conditions could be impacting them. These observations can also provide an artistic appreciation of these natural wonders.
This month’s EcoQuest is in collaboration with Vision Gallery and Maricopa Native Seed Library.
DATE:
March 2021
Time:
All Day
Location:
How Do I Join?
Sign up for iNaturalist and join the EcoQuest today!
Event Partners
CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.
by Ashley Quay | Feb 1, 2021
Event Description
For this month’s EcoQuest help find and map as many monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) and milkweed plants (Asclepias spp.) as possible.
Monarch butterflies are in severe decline, with numbers from 2020 showing the lowest ever recorded in the West. Much of this decline can be tied to loss of milkweeds, the plant genus that monarchs depend on for reproduction. Other factors likely include loss of nectar plants, destruction of overwintering habitat and climate change.
DATE:
Feb 2021
Time:
All Day
Location:
How Do I Join?
Sign up for iNaturalist and join the EcoQuest today!
Event Partners
CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.
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