Scenic Drive: Geography, Climate, Life Zones
Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive is located in an area referred to a the Desert Foothills. It’s is a special place where the desert gradually rises to the mountains, creating slightly cooler temperatures and a lush landscape dotted by saguaro, palo verde, mesquite and cholla. A landscape where the fertile floor covers the forgotten footprints of Apaches, prospectors and pioneers.” “Discovering the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive”,...
A Very Long Walk
From Vineyard Views By Al DeVito Thursday, December 11, 2014 A very long walk Paul Salopek is walking from the Great Rift Valley of Africa, across the Middle East, through Central Asia to the tundra of Siberia, eventually hopping a boat across the Bering Strait to North America, and trudging from there down the entire length of the New World. It’s 22,000 miles and it will take him, he estimates, seven years. He is recreating...
GPPA, The Peak Sponsoring Dec. 18th School Visit to Pinnacle Peak Desert Center
Donation made in name of former Campo Bello student, who restored Scenic Drive in 1975 (see below). On December 18, 4th grade students from Campo Bello Elementary School, in Phoenix, will have fun and learn about the importance of stewardship of the desert and how to survive in its harsh environment. For the third consecutive year, the visit is being sponsored by GPPA and The Peak. After past visits, teachers have expressed their...
Southwest Wildlife Conservation-“Living with Wildlife “ Series: Javelina
Courtesy of Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center The Sonoran Desert is experiencing unprecedented growth in both population and development and wild animals are adapting to these changes. Golf courses are good hunting and feeding grounds. Garbage cans and picnic areas are easy access to free food. Our desert is crossed with countless washes, which are wildlife highways. All of these factors increase the chance of wildlife encounters...
On the Wild Side: How an Injured Hawk Changed a Life
How an Injured Hawk Changed a Life By William Leroy “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop (620 BC – 560 BC), The Lion and the Mouse Prologue I have been blessed with many opportunities over the years. When I consider them all, I have to say that one stands out from all the rest. It has been the opportunity to support the work of Wild At Heart as a volunteer. Like many life changing experiences, I had...
Saguaro Song
Grand Prize, 2014 Summer Fun Write Stuff Contest by Stephanie Bradley Against a blank, blue sky, the desert siren stands. Stooped by years, and Scarred by fires, The saguaro endures in the vast desert lands. A senna’s pods tremble at her ancient feet, Stirred by a breeze into a rhythmic beat. A woodpecker whispers a desert refrain, As tympanic sages orchestrate a spirited strain. The wind, grown stronger,...
The Loggerhead Shrike, Arizona’s Butcher Bird
By William LeRoy If you are fortunate enough to live in Arizona year-round (like the loggerhead shrike), then there’s a good chance you’ll be able to observe these amazing birds in their natural habitat. Given the fact that we are talking about a very efficient predator, if you have bird feeders, then your chances of spotting one of these increases exponentially. The loggerhead shrike is a songbird with a raptor’s habits....
Tracking the Mexican Wolf
Courtesy of Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center The mission of Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center includes education, and there are few subjects that can benefit more from education than wolves. So, let’s see if we can simplify a very complicated topic: wolves, and more particularly, the Mexican gray wolf. The animal featured on the cover is Mexican wolf F435, Chuska, one of the first Mexican wolves cared for by Southwest...
What is Baby Season Anyway?
Courtesy of Southwest Conservation Center We’ve said it again and again: It’s baby season! But what exactly does that mean? Some desert animals, like the coyote, breed only once a year and give birth in the spring and early summer. Even for those animals that can reproduce year-round, like javelina and bobcats, many babies are born in time for their parents to take advantage of the abundant plants and prey available in the spring...
A moratorium on purchasing more land for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve?
By Bob Cappel Yes, that is exactly what just happened at the April 1, 2014 Scottsdale City Council strategic planning session. It was not an April Fool’s joke! Scottsdale Vice Mayor Virginia Korte requested a moratorium on all land purchases for Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve until the city spends more time exploring the long-term costs of the preserve. Mayor Jim Lane seconded Korte’s motion, and the council approved it by a...
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