From A Peek at the Peak Magazine, October 1997
Fewer than 100 people lived in the Pinnacle Peak area in the late 1970s. That is when Florence Nelson began travelling to local schools to educate kids about the desert. The work done by the Desert Center she started is an important part of the heritage of Scottsdale’s Desert Discovery Center. The Desert Center, which was managed for years by Scottsdale residents Donna and Dave Ropp and a small corps of volunteers, ceased operations in 2014. Editor
Florence Nelson (far left), Donna Ropp, Volunteer Coordinator (fifth from left), and Sue Livingston, Operations Manager, (ninth from left), gather with volunteers at the Desert Center. Photo by Becky Cooke.
The fact that Florence Nelson has been educating valley children on the importance of stewardship of the desert and how to survive in its often inhospitable environment for nearly 20 years may be one of the area’s best kept secrets. Mrs. Nelson started her program by going out to the schools and offering informative programs two decades ago.
Over ten years ago, her program found a home at the Desert Center located behind Drinkwater’s at the corner of Pinnacle Peak and Pima Roads. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, busloads of elementary school children arrive throughout the fall at this lovely desert garden. There Mrs. Nelson introduces them to the Desert Center and gives a slide presentation. After that, the children are free to rotate between four stations that offer information on rocks, animals, Indians and plants.
The Center is funded by the nominal fees charged to the schools for field trips and is staffed by volunteers. Volunteer Coordinator Donna Ropp speaks of the joy she receives from opening youngsters’ eyes and minds to the Sonoran Desert. “Many children from central Phoenix have never really seen the desert in person. They get off the bus and you’ll hear them say, `Wow! This is the desert? It’s beautiful!’ It’s a very rewarding feeling.”
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