Desert Defenders

Desert Defenders

Desert Defenders

Event Description

Help us map and remove the top invasive plant species of concern for Central Arizona with partner, Maricopa County Parks. These invasive plants have spread aggressively both in urban and open spaces during the last few years.

Join the upcoming spring training to become part of the Desert Defenders program, or join one of the spring removal events at one of your closest parks or preserves. There are several upcoming dates and different parks, register for one today!

calendarDATE:
Several Dates
clockTime:
Several Times

Do I need to register?

Yes, you need to register for these events. Please register through our partner’s website.

Event Partners

CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.

desert botanical garden
desert botanical garden
desert botanical garden
desert botanical garden
Website_Logo_MCP

Other Events

Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) Surveys

Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) Surveys

Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) Surveys

Event Description

The SCORP identifies outdoor recreation priorities and issues, helps direct funding to address these issues and fosters collaborative action from land managers at all levels of government as well as private organizations.

Please be a part of this process by taking part in the recreation provider or public surveys. They are open until December 31, 2021.

calendarDATE:
Dec 31, 2021
clockTime:
All Day
locationLocation:

Do I need to Register?

No need to register for this event. Contribute your opinion using the surveys or learn more about SCORP.

Event Partners

Arizona State University conducted stakeholder engagement meetings and Partners in Brainstorms is administering surveys in English and Spanish.

desert botanical garden
desert botanical garden
desert botanical garden

Other Events

Central/South Phoenix Community Event

Central/South Phoenix Community Event

Central/South Phoenix Community Event

Event Description

Join AZ(Land), CAP-LTER, Chispa AZ and other partners for this exiting event with food, raffles and exciting activities where we co-create and envision a resilient and healthy community in Central/South Phoenix. Everyone is welcome!

This will also serve as the launch of AZ Land, and as the Rio Salado Audubon re-opens its doors with new Director Genaro Ruiz’s emphasis on community engagement, we hope this can support the co-creation of spaces with the well-being of our Central/South Phoenix voices at its core.

calendarDATE:
Dec 18, 2021
clockTime:
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Do I need to Register?

No need to register for this event, it’s free and open to the community!

Event Partners

CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.

desert botanical garden
desert botanical garden
desert botanical garden

Other Events

Superstition Mountain Grass Removal

Superstition Mountain Grass Removal

Superstition Mountain Grass Removal

Event Description

Join Friends of the Tonto National Forest to remove non-native fountain & buffel grasses from Lost Dutchman State Park. This will be the last removal event of the year!

calendarDATE:
Dec 11, 2021
clockTime:
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Do I need to Register?

Yes, please register through our partner’s website.

Things You’ll Need

Close Toed Shoe icon
Close-toed shoes
Sunscreen icon
Sunscreen
Icons_Website_template (1)
Signed Waiver Form
Water bottle icon
Water
Sunglasses icon
Sunglasses
Snacks icon
Snacks

Event Partners

CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.

desert botanical garden

Other Events

Speaker Series: White Tanks Connectivity Initiative Series 3

Speaker Series: White Tanks Connectivity Initiative Series 3

Speaker Series: White Tanks Connectivity Initiative Series 3

Event Description

This final session in the speaker series will be focused on envisioning a more connected world, for people and wildlife. Join experts for a compelling vision for ecologically sustainable desert cities that integrate the natural and built environment to harness ecosystem services that promote a high quality of life, economic opportunity, and conservation of rich natural history in the region.

We will learn about the perspective of a younger generation on open space, the potential economic gains of open space in communities, and opportunities to blend development solutions for flood control, open space, and recreation to maximize ecosystem services.  We will close the series with a vision for the future and a path forward to collaborate with the WTMC.

Presenters:

  • Mayor Eric Orsborn, City of Buckeye
  • Mayor Skip Hall, City of Surprise
  • Todd Hornback, DMB Community Life, Chief Advancement Officer
  • Jay Hicks, Dig Studio, Sr. Principal
  • Dana Warnecke, White Tank Mountains Conservancy, Consultant
  • Paige Shoblom, Arizona State University, Student
calendarDATE:
Nov 3, 2021
clockTime:
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
locationLocation:

Do I need to Register?

This event is free, please register through our partner’s page.

Event Partners

CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.

desert botanical garden

Other Events

Speaker Series: White Tanks Connectivity Initiative Series 2

Speaker Series: White Tanks Connectivity Initiative Series 2

Speaker Series: White Tanks Connectivity Initiative Series 2

Event Description

Join experts for a detailed look at planned urban growth within the Connectivity Initiative’s focal area and the reason the connectivity imperative exists.  This session will begin with the broad context of west valley growth, as it relates to economic development and quality of life in the region.

Representatives from the cities of Buckeye and Surprise will discuss future land use, transportation, parks and recreation plans and goals.  We will examine the outdoor recreation values of two regional parks within the White Tank Mountains, including visitor use and the economic impact these parks contribute to the region.  We will learn how the WTMC’s Regional Connectivity Initiative could contribute to the long-term vision for the Maricopa County park system.

Presenters:

  • Sintra Hoffman, WESTMARC, CEO
  • Councilmember Chris Judd, City of Surprise
  • R.J. Cardin, Director, Maricopa County Parks Department
  • Adam Copeland, City of Buckeye, Deputy Director of Planning
  • Robert J. Wisener, City of Buckeye, Administration & Project Manager
calendarDATE:
Oct 27, 2021
clockTime:
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
locationLocation:

Do I need to Register?

This event is free, please register through our partner’s page.

Event Partners

CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.

desert botanical garden

Other Events

Speaker Series: White Tank Connectivity Initiative Series 1

Speaker Series: White Tank Connectivity Initiative Series 1

Speaker Series: White Tank Connectivity Initiative Series 1

Event Description

Join us for a regional perspective on the values of the White Tank Mountains as open space in Maricopa County, with a summary on the unique biodiversity of the region. The WTMC will provide a short history on the Regional Connectivity Initiative and the connectivity imperative to keep the White Tank Mountains wild.

Local experts will join us to discuss current research on wildlife movement in the region, and how building communities around the natural environment can leverage many ecosystem services that enhance the quality of life in local communities. This is part one of a series of three speaker series hosted every Wednesday.

Presenters

  • Sidney Ashby, Poet / Student
  • Annia Quiroz, Central Arizona Conservation Alliance, Engagement Coordinator
  • Dana Warnecke, White Tank Mountains Conservancy, Biological Consultant
  • Scott Sprague, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Project Manager/Road Ecologist
  • Kaela Hamilton, Arizona State University, Graduate Student
  • Dr. Paul J. Coseo, Arizona State University, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture / Senior Sustainability Scientist
calendarDATE:
Oct 20, 2021
clockTime:
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
locationLocation:

Do I need to Register?

This event is free, please register through our partner’s page.

Event Partners

CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.

desert botanical garden

Other Events

Superstition Mountain Grass Removal

Superstition Mountain Grass Removal

Superstition Mountain Grass Removal

Event Description

Join Friends of the Tonto National Forest to remove non-native fountain & buffel grasses from Lost Dutchman State Park. There are several dates you may register for to assist in removals.

Contact Don for more information.

calendarDATE:
Oct 23, 2021
clockTime:
7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
shoe icon
Close-toed shoes
water icon
Water
Sunscreen
Sunscreen
sunglasses icon
Sunglasses
smartphone icon
Smartphone
snaks icon
Signed Waiver Form

Do I need to Register?

Yes, please refer to our partner page for instructions on how to register for this training.

Event Partners

CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.

desert botanical garden

Other Events

Superstition Mountain Grass Removal

Superstition Mountain Grass Removal

Superstition Mountain Grass Removal

Event Description

Join Friends of the Tonto National Forest to remove non-native fountain & buffel grasses from Lost Dutchman State Park. There are several dates you may register for to assist in removals.

Contact Don for more information.

calendarDATE:
Oct 9, 2021
clockTime:
7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
shoe icon
Close-toed shoes
water icon
Water
Sunscreen
Sunscreen
sunglasses icon
Sunglasses
smartphone icon
Smartphone
snaks icon
Signed Waiver Form

Do I need to Register?

Yes, please refer to our partner page for instructions on how to register for this training.

Event Partners

CAZCA functions through extensive partnerships to stand together and further our conservation efforts.

desert botanical garden

Other Events

CAZCA is an initiative of Desert Botanical Garden. Any donations made to CAZCA must be made through Desert Botanical Garden. You will now be taken to their website to complete this transaction. Thank you!
DONATE
DONATE
close-link