October is McDowell Sonoran Month and you can join the celebration at a host of scheduled events, including guided hikes, educational lectures and discovery walks – all in honor of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Well on its way to becoming one of the largest urban preserves in the nation, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve encompasses mountains, Sonoran Desert and wildlife corridors that link open space in the Preserve with open spaces in adjacent communities, the Tonto National Forest and Maricopa County Regional Park. In addition to a year-round schedule of guided hikes and education programs, the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy offers special programming every October to encourage residents and visitors to get out and explore all of the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. This year’s highlights include:

Preserve Inhabitants Lecture Series

If you’ve ever wondered if birds can change colors or how plants and animals have adapted to the Sonoran Desert’s unique climate, this series is for you. A different topic is explored every Wednesday evening in October.

Discovery Walks

Every Saturday morning in October, experts in desert ecology and ethnology will lead groups on short walks into the preserve to discover nature’s hidden treasures.

Hydrogen House Open House

On Oct. 11 and 22, you can tour the country’s first green hydrogen house. This unique home has numerous passive and active sustainable design features, including convection air for natural cooling.

Click here for a complete schedule of McDowell Sonoran Month events.

Related posts:

1. Hiking Tom’s Thumb Trail
2. Celebrate the 55th Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show
3. Celebrate Art Unlike Any Other