Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Native Seed Toss McDowell Mountain Regional Park

Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Native Seed Toss McDowell Mountain Regional Park

Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Native Seed Toss McDowell Mountain Regional Park

Event Description

It is time to toss Marcopa County Parks and Recreation seed pellets! Join them!

They will fling native seed pellets created early this year into the desert of Maricopa County’s regional parks. The initiative to spread native seeds is a proactive step towards ecological restoration. These native seeds are selected for their resilience and ability to thrive in the local environment.

To learn more about the Desert Defender Program, visit https://cazca.org/project/desert-defenders/.

Please bring work gloves, water, and a snack. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and closed-toed shoes. This activity requires hiking along nature trails.

Family participation is encouraged; however, parents must be present for minors, and it is recommended that participants be at least five years of age.

calendarDATE:
Nov 5, 2026
clockTime:
8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Do I need to Register?

Yes, please register for the event using our partner’s registration page.

Event Partners

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

desert botanical garden

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Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Native Seed Toss McDowell Mountain Regional Park

Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Native Seed Toss Cave Creek Regional Park

Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Native Seed Toss Cave Creek Regional Park

Event Description

It is time to toss Marcopa County Parks and Recreation seed pellets! Join them!

They will fling native seed pellets created early this year into the desert of Maricopa County’s regional parks. The initiative to spread native seeds is a proactive step towards ecological restoration. These native seeds are selected for their resilience and ability to thrive in the local environment.

To learn more about the Desert Defender Program, visit https://cazca.org/project/desert-defenders/.

Please bring work gloves, water, and a snack. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and closed-toed shoes. This activity requires hiking along nature trails.

Family participation is encouraged; however, parents must be present for minors, and it is recommended that participants be at least five years of age.

calendarDATE:
Nov 6, 2026
clockTime:
8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Do I need to Register?

Yes, please register for the event using our partner’s registration page.

Event Partners

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

desert botanical garden

Other Events

Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Native Seed Toss San Tan Mountain Regional Park

Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Native Seed Toss San Tan Mountain Regional Park

Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Native Seed Toss San Tan Mountain Regional Park

Event Description

It is time to toss Marcopa County Parks and Recreation seed pellets! Join them!

They will fling native seed pellets created early this year into the desert of Maricopa County’s regional parks. The initiative to spread native seeds is a proactive step towards ecological restoration. These native seeds are selected for their resilience and ability to thrive in the local environment.

To learn more about the Desert Defender Program, visit https://cazca.org/project/desert-defenders/.

Please bring work gloves, water, and a snack. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and closed-toed shoes. This activity requires hiking along nature trails.

Family participation is encouraged; however, parents must be present for minors, and it is recommended that participants be at least five years of age.

calendarDATE:
Oct 31, 2026
clockTime:
8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Do I need to Register?

Yes, please register for the event using our partner’s registration page.

Event Partners

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

desert botanical garden

Other Events

Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Native Seed Toss San Tan Mountain Regional Park

Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Native Seed Toss Estrella Mountain Regional Park

Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Native Seed Toss Estrella Mountain Regional Park

Event Description

It is time to toss Marcopa County Parks and Recreation seed pellets! Join them!

They will fling native seed pellets created early this year into the desert of Maricopa County’s regional parks. The initiative to spread native seeds is a proactive step towards ecological restoration. These native seeds are selected for their resilience and ability to thrive in the local environment.

To learn more about the Desert Defender Program, visit https://cazca.org/project/desert-defenders/.

Please bring work gloves, water, and a snack. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and closed-toed shoes. This activity requires hiking along nature trails.

Family participation is encouraged; however, parents must be present for minors, and it is recommended that participants be at least five years of age.

calendarDATE:
October 30, 2026
clockTime:
8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Do I need to Register?

Yes, please register for the event using our partner’s registration page.

Event Partners

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

desert botanical garden

Other Events

Maricopa County Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz – Butterfly Workshop & BioBlitz

Maricopa County Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz – Butterfly Workshop & BioBlitz

Maricopa County Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz – Butterfly Workshop & BioBlitz

Event Description

Join Maricopa County Parks and Recreation this year for the National Recreation and Park Association’s Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz! Learn more about butterflies at a Maricopa County Parks and Recreation workshop on September 16th (5:30PM-7PM), then put your skills to the test at upcoming butterfly monitoring events on Spetember 19th (8:30AM-12PM).

  • Participate in a national pollinator BioBlitz!
  • Learn to identify and monitor native butterflies.
  • Help track butterfly populations and diversity.
  • And much more!

To register for the virtual workshop visit this page:

https://signup.com/g o/VgpAnsU

The BioBlitz will take place at the following parks:

Please register using the links above.

Learn more about The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation butterfly program: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/about-us/butterfly-monitoring/.

Workshop

calendarDATE:
Sept 16, 2026
clockTime:
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

BioBlitz

calendarDATE:
Sept 19, 2026
clockTime:
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Do I need to Register?

Yes, please register using the links in the description above.

Event Partners

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

desert botanical garden

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DBG Visiting Researcher Guest Speaker

DBG Visiting Researcher Guest Speaker

DBG Visiting Researcher Guest Speaker

Distinguishing Leaf Scorching from Leaf Discoloration Due to Heatwaves & Drought

Event Description

Summary

Rising global temperatures are increasing the frequency of extreme heat and drought events, often producing widespread and abrupt leaf discoloration in forests. Such discoloration is commonly interpreted as premature or stress-induced senescence, yet during hot droughts it may instead reflect leaf scorching. Although visually similar, senescence and scorching arise from fundamentally different physiological processes, with contrasting implications for nutrient resorption, carbon cycling, and ecosystem functioning. By exposing two species with distinct response to extreme heat (> 50°C), we aim to uncover the key physiological processes leading to premature leaf senescence and leaf scorching under extreme thermal stress, shedding light to the thermal and hydraulic thresholds of the aforementioned processes.

About the Speaker

Maxwell Bergström is visiting from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne in Lausanne, Switzerland. He is collaborating with research staff and students in the DBG Dryland Plant Ecophysiology Lab, studying the effects of heat and drought on Fremont cottonwood and Gooding’s willow from a plant hydraulics and thermal limits perspective.

Modality

This presentation will be in person at Desert Botanical Garden’s Dorrance Hall or via Zoom

calendarDATE:
Aug 27, 2026
clockTime:
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
locationLocation:

Registration

Registration is not necessary, but if you are attending in person please visit the Desert Botanical Garden site to purchase an admission ticket. 

Event Partners

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

desert botanical garden

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Arboriculture Workforce Training

Arboriculture Workforce Training

Arboriculture Workforce Training

Urban nature flyer

Event Description

The Urban Nature Tree Worker Apprentice program teaches tree work to safety and arboricultural standards (ANSI z133 & a300, respectively). Learn a valuable trade, enact stewardship values, and build a career! The curriculum includes knots, biology, climbing, chainsaws, pruning, etc so graduates can enter the workforce prepared for higher skilled tasks and higher pay. $20/hour. No experience necessary. Starts August 24th & continues 10 consecutive weeks.

calendarDATE:
Aug 24th-Oct 31st, 2026
clockTime:
7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Do I need to Register?

Yes, please register for the event using our partner’s registration page.

Event Partners

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

Urban Nature Logo

Other Events

Mesa Tree Stewards Cohort 5

Mesa Tree Stewards Cohort 5

Mesa Tree Stewards Cohort 5

Night Landscape_Web Header Template

Event Description

Become a Community Tree Steward! Join this free, hands-on urban forestry training in Mesa to learn practical tree care skills, improve the local tree canopy, and make a lasting impact. You do not need to live in the City of Mesa to participate. Participants receive a certificate of completion, hands-on field experience, and trees to help expand the canopy in prioritized Mesa neighborhoods.

calendarDATE:
Oct 3rd & 17th, 2026

Do I need to Register?

Yes, please register for the event using our partner’s registration page.

Event Partners

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

Arizona Sustainability Alliance logo
desert botanical garden

Other Events

Help Pollinators in the Rio Salado!

Help Pollinators in the Rio Salado!

Help Pollinators in the Rio Salado!

Event Description

Join the Sierra Club in the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area to plant native plants to help our local pollinators. It is a great way to get outdoors while helping care for this local area. They will provide snacks and drinks, but do bring a refillable water bottle, a hat, and sunscreen. Wear closed-toe shoes as you will be using shovels and picks.

This will be fun beneficial for our native pollinators! RSVP to be kept up to date.

calendarDATE:
Apr 26, 2026
clockTime:
7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Do I need to Register?

Yes, please register for the event using our partner’s registration page.

Event Partners

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

desert botanical garden
Sierra Club's H2O Sentinels logo

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CAZCA

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!
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