Early morning hike at Brown’s Ranch near Balanced Rock in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Courtesy of the City of Scottsdale
Scientists and the public gather for the inaugural McDowell Sonoran Preserve Research Symposium
Scottsdale, AZ October 9, 2015 – The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy’s Field Institute in collaboration with Scottsdale Community College, and the Center for Urban and Native Wildlife is presenting the first ever McDowell Sonoran Preserve Research Symposium, October 24th and 25th. This two day event will bring together researchers, students, citizens, and community leaders to learn about scientific and historical research conducted within Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the surrounding area.
The October 24 session will be held on the Scottsdale Community College campus from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm and feature research presentations, a panel discussion on the Future of Conservation in the Phoenix Valley, research poster displays, and tours of the SCC biodiversity facilities, which include live collections of several endangered Sonoran Desert species. The October 25 session will feature a half-day of science and history- themed hikes in the Preserve and hands-on workshops and tours at SCC.
Scientists and historians have been conducting research on Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve for decades, but until now have not had a formal gathering to share that research with each other and the public. “The inaugural McDowell Sonoran Preserve Research Symposium will focus on the past, present, and future research on the Preserve, as well as research from outside the Preserve boundaries. Our goals are to encourage networking among scientists, students, and the public, and trigger new research collaborations that benefit the Preserve as well as other natural open spaces” explained Helen Rowe, Director of the McDowell Sonoran Field Institute, the research center of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy.
“The symposium offers a great opportunity for students and the public to learn about research that is going on right next door.” added John Weser, Executive Director of SCC’s Center for Native and Urban Wildlife. “We are presenting serious research in a fun, engaging way by including tours of SCC’s living plant and animal collections and workshops on cultivating native flora for attracting native wildlife.”
Those interested can register for the symposium and find more information by visiting the Conservancy’s website at www.mcdowellsonoran.org and clicking under “Latest News”. For specific questions, contact Melanie Tluczek, MSFI manager, at (480) 998-7971 x 105 or write to mspresearch@mcdowellsonoran.org.
The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy champions the sustainability of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the largest urban preserve in the nation with over 30,000 acres of Sonoran desert, for the benefit of this and future generations. As stewards, we connect the community to the Preserve through education, research, advocacy, partnerships and safe, respectful access.
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