Maricopa County Parks and Recreation: City Nature Challenge Evening Hike

Learn about wildlife of the Sonoran Desert and easy citizen science you can help with on this late afternoon-evening hike with Ranger Eric. Join Ranger Eric to look for and learn about diurnal and nocturnal critters of Sonoran Desert riparian areas, while learning about and participating in this weekend’s City Nature Challenge! We will start out in the late afternoon but will be hiking back after dark (sunset is about 7pm). We will hike about 1.8 miles roundtrip on easy to moderate grade along the Waterfall Trail, with frequently rocky and uneven surfaces on the upper half of the hike; the lower 0.5-mile is paved and rated as barrier-free (navigable with wheelchair or stroller). Wildlife may include scorpions, spiders, insects, owls, nightjars, reptiles, and mammals. Please bring your own flashlight or headlamp, ample water and electrolytes, and wear sturdy closed-toe footwear. A blacklight is recommended, but the ranger will have one to point out scorpions with. Along the way we will also talk about the free iNaturalist app you can use to identify any living organism on the planet with your smartphone, which is being used by citizen scientists across the Valley this weekend for the April 25-28 Greater Phoenix City Nature Challenge. This bioblitz-style competition challenges local communities to make the most observations of biodiversity in their area during this 4-day period, with this data then available for science, management, and conservation. This particular City Nature Challenge will focus on the Phoenix Metro area, including most of our Maricopa County Parks. For more info, check out the following link: https://greaterphoenixcnc.com/. Please download the free iNaturalist app (available for both iOS and Android smartphones) at home and register an account prior to arrival, as cell coverage can be spotty out in the park. MEETING LOCATION: Waterfall Trailhead. See park map here: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/assets/1/6/white-tank-8x11.pdf Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/X4QDvVMgaL8Vs1Gq8 Limit 15 participants. To register, please call the Nature Center at 602-506-2930 ext. 5 with your name, phone number, and number of people attending. If you find you cannot attend a program after you have registered, please call the Nature Center ASAP so we may contact those on the waiting list. Registration for this program will close on Thursday, 4/24.