Putting Down Roots in Fountain Hills

Native Plants, Desert Trails and the Desert Blooms Return

Desert Bloom at Goldfield Ranch

After a rainy winter like we have had in 2017, March is a riot of color in the Sonoran Highlands.  A short drive to Goldfield Ranch Subdivision, (just one exit west on the Beeline Highway past the Fort McDowell Casino), or on to the picnic areas of Saguaro Lake, the Poppies, Desert Lupine and Hedgehog cactus are indicative of the fragile season our native plants have to mature and refresh for the next growing season.

Theater Thursdays at the River of Time Museum  Features talk on Fountain Hills Native Plants

The River of Time Museum’s “Theater Thursdays” during the winter season are brown-bag lunch gathering featuring interesting talks on subjects of local history and interest.  The March session features Master Gardiner Rita Applegate providing interesting insights about native plants in the area, many of which have both food and medicinal value. (Rita is also a moving force behind the new Community Garden, and can answer questions about the garden after her presentation).

Bring your own lunch or snack; water and soft drinks are available for sale on site.

“Theater Thursdays” are free for Museum members ($35 per year for a family which includes extra free admissions for a guest or two) and with the modest Museum admission of $5.00.

12:00 p.m., Museum Courtyard 12901 N. La Montana Blvd, Fountain Hills, AZ, 85268

Fountain Hills Desert Botanical Garden

Desert Trail

Once you’ve learned a bit about the native plants that make our Sonoran Desert so diverse, you might want to spend some time in Fountain Hills Desert Botanical Garden.  Founded by Jane Haynes in 1975 as a wildlife preserve, the Garden is 8 acres with elevation from 1696 to 1800 feet.

On December 14, 2006, the Fountain Hills Botanical Society Volunteers under the auspices of the Town of Fountain Hills agreed to restore the original garden trail as an educational and hiking destination. Twenty nine Sonoran Desert plants are identified along the half mile meandering trail that has been constructed on the desert slopes. The trail allows for interesting views of rock formations, desert flora, animal life and an abandoned P-Bar Ranch campsite next to the April 25, 1941 constructed dam wall visible from the trail.

Fountain Hills Desert Botanical Garden, open dawn to dusk

11300 N Fountain Hills Blvd
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

The Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills

Beautiful Sonoran Cactus

The Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills is a group of avid hikers and trail-building volunteers who have made hiking trails a part of our everyday living in Fountain Hills.  The group organizes hikes in many of the pristine desert areas within a 50 mile view of fountain Hills, as well as work during the winter season to create and maintain significant hiking access with trailheads as close as the east side of Fountain Park.

The volunteers arm of the Conservancy, the Trailblazers, develop and maintain hiking and nature trails in the Preserve. A number of people have been trained and have gained considerable experience in trail building.  The program is generally active from October through April. Click here for contact information.

http://www.scfh.org/current_hike_scheduleNEW.html

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