Scottsdale Earth Week celebrates city’s commitment to sustainable future

Contact: Stephanie Hirata, public affairs specialist, 480-312-7865

From volunteer road cleanups and guided nature walks in our beautiful preserve, to an edible garden and green building presentations, Scottsdale has a full line-up of events for everyone looking to recognize our planet.

Earth Day is Monday, April 22, and Arbor Day is Friday, April 26. Check out opportunities to learn about simple actions you can take to make a positive impact. 

This week is an opportunity to shine the light brighter on environmental topics that Scottsdale focuses on year-round.

Here’s what’s happening in Scottsdale:

Saturday, April 20

• Guided nature walk in the Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve – Life Cycle of the Saguaro: 8-10 a.m. at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Pkwy.
• Earth Fest: 9 – 11 a.m. at Cactus Park, 7202 E. Cactus Road

Join us at the city’s Earth and Arbor Day celebration! Bring family and friends to explore sustainability-focused educational booths and learn about the city’s eco-friendly initiatives. This free event will also feature a tree and cactus planting ceremony to mark Scottsdale’s 42nd year as a Tree City USA community. Don’t forget to bring your reusable water bottle to fill up at our Scottsdale Water trailer! 

Sunday, April 21

• Guided nature walk in the Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve – Nature as Therapy: 8-10 a.m. at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N Alma School Pkwy

Monday, April 22 – Happy Earth Day!

• Guided nature walk in the Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve: 8-9:30 a.m. at Pima and Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road
• Draw What You See – Drawing from Life, Watercolor and Ink with Koryn Woodward Wesson: 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Scottsdale Civic Center, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

Join Flirting with the Desert artist for an outdoor exploration of the beautiful plants and structures outside the Scottsdale Civic Center Library’s walls. Learn basic techniques for drawing from observation in watercolor and embellishment in ink. 

Tuesday, April 23

• Guided nature walk in the Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve – Phenology: 8-10 a.m. at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Pkwy.
• Guided nature walk at the Preserve: 8-9:30 a.m. at Tom’s Thumb, 12943 E Paraiso Dr.
• Edible Landscape presentation: 6 p.m. at Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road

Environmental artist and master gardener Joan Baron, along with special guests, will share what to plant for a successful spring and summer garden to provide sustenance for family and friends, and build a strong ecosystem. Join us for a lively, hands-on experience around food, wildflowers and sustainable practices!

Wednesday, April 24

• Bike to Work Day: 7 – 8:30 a.m., citywide

Bike commuters are invited to stop on their way to work at a designated locations to celebrate Scottsdale’s Bike Friendly community status, enjoy breakfast snacks and receive a commemorative Bike Month t-shirt. A map of the event stops will be available in early April.

• Guided nature walk in the Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve: 8-10 a.m. at Granite Mountain Trailhead, 31402 N. 136^th St.
• Xeriscape Landscape Ideas: 1-2 p.m. at Appaloosa Library, 7377 E. Silverstone Drive

Master Gardener Jo Miller will present landscape design ideas using plants that thrive in our climate. Details.

• Full STEAM Ahead: Anti-Trash Robots: 4-4:45 p.m. at Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

(ages 6-11) Let’s make robots out of collected recyclable materials and have a conversation about recycling! Details.

• Blue Zones Project Scottsdale: 5-6 p.m. at Blue Zones Project Headquarters, 3721 N. Scottsdale Road

You’re invited to make planter pots out of recycled household items with the Blue Zones Project Scottsdale team! Vegetable and wildflower seeds will be provided. A registration link to attend this event will be added to their website soon. 

Thursday, April 25

• Guided nature walk at the Preserve: 7-8:30 a.m. at Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy.
• Harvest Eco-Salvage presentation: 6 p.m. at Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road

Construction and demolition waste constitutes about 40% of the solid waste stream in the U.S. David Zaidi and Linda Eales with Harvest Eco-Salvage will discuss de-construction and the reclamation of reusable and recyclable building materials.

• Teens Celebrate Earth Month – Plastic Bag Weaving: 5-6 p.m. at Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

(ages 12-18) Give a new life to single-use plastic bags that usually end up in landfills by creating something new with them. We will create reuseable bags by weaving plastic bags. Details.

Friday, April 26 – Happy Arbor Day!

• Guided nature walk at the Preserve: 7-9 a.m. at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N Alma School Pkwy
• Tree dedication for State Historian Marshal Trimble: 10 a.m. at Scottsdale Civic Center, in front of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

Saturday, April 27 

• McDowell Conservancy hike: 8-10 a.m. Desert 101 North Education Walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N Alma School Pkwy
• Adopt-a-Road cleanup, citywide

All Adopt-a-Road groups are invited to help keep Scottsdale roadways clean & scenic. The city provides trash bags, cotton gloves and safety vest for registered groups. 

Tips for celebrating Earth Week  

If you plan to attend one of our guided walking tours, please be prepared for the heat. Bring ample water and wear sunscreen, a hat, and light-colored clothing that covers your skin.  

Learn more about ongoing Sustainable Scottsdale initiatives and consider making changes to reduce your impact on the environment:  

• Conserve water by replacing your grass with xeriscape or installing a “smart” irrigation controller  
• Properly dispose of your electronics by taking advantage of our free Electronics Recycling Days  
• “Know before you throw” – use our Recycle Right Wizard search tool to find out if you should recycle, compost or dispose of common household items  
• Protect our pollinators – they play a critical role in our ecosystem   

Need more ideas? Earthday.org has a list of 52 actions and tips to make a difference, every day of the year.