NE Valley Times

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

Scottsdale Earth Week begins on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, and runs through Arbor Day, Friday, April 28, concluding with a tree-planting ceremony to celebrate Scottsdale’s 41st year as a Tree City USA community. Earth 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 22

Scottsdale Green Expo

8 – 11 a.m., North Corporation Yard, 9191 E. San Salvador Drive 

You’re invited to be part of a special rededication ceremony honoring the “Son of Godzilla,” the Scottsdale invention that advanced modern trash and recycling pickup. Bring family and friends to explore sustainability-focused educational booths and learn about the city’s eco-friendly initiatives. The event includes two art workshops - one focusing on reclaimed materials and another on naturally dyed creations. Don’t forget to bring your reusable water bottle to fill up at our Scottsdale Water trailer! 

Spring Citywide Adopt-a-Road Cleanup  

Various times and locations 

In partnership with Keep Scottsdale Beautiful, the city is hosting a citywide Adopt-a-Road cleanup Saturday, April 23. We provide safety vests and litter bags, and we remove filled litter bags promptly after each organized cleanup, if notified prior. Learn more and register. 

Lifecycle of the Saguaro Guided Walk  

7:30-9:30 a.m. at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road 

Native only to the Sonoran Desert, these giant cacti are sights to see! Join our McDowell Sonoran Conservancy steward guides to follow the growth of a Saguaro from seed to skeleton and view multi-armed, old saguaros. This easy hike covers 1 mile on the Jane Rau Trail. 

Sunday, April 23

Nature as Therapy Guided Walk  

7:30-9:30 a.m. at Brown's Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road 

Learn why time in nature makes us happier, healthier and more creative. Enjoy an easy 2-hour walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead where McDowell Sonoran Conservancy steward guides will teach you how to use nature as a prescription to improve your overall well-being. 

Monday, April 24

Hike with a Natural Resources Coordinator  

7-9 a.m. at Pima Dynamite Trailhead, 28777 N. Pima Road 

Spend 1 to 1.5 hours on an easy hike with natural resources coordinators for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve as they share their knowledge about the preserve and the wonders of the Sonoran Desert.  

Tuesday, April 25

Hike with a Natural Resources Coordinator  

6 a.m. at Saguaro Loop - Gateway Trailhead, 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy 

Spend 1 to 1.5 hours on an easy hike with natural resources coordinators for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve as they share their knowledge about the preserve and the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. 

Xeriscape Garden Tour

1 p.m. at Xeriscape Garden at Chaparral Park, 8111 E. McDonald Drive 

Come on a tour with the city’s arborist, plant expert and irrigation specialist to learn about the fundamentals of an efficient Arizona garden and how growing desert-friendly plants can be beneficial in your own yard. The tour is limited to the first 30 people. This is an outdoor walking tour; appropriate footwear and environmental protection (hat, sunscreen, water) are encouraged. Learn more and register. 

Wednesday, April 26

Hike with a Natural Resources Coordinator

7-9 a.m. at Brown's Ranch Trailhead, 30301 N. Alma School Road 

Spend 1 to 1.5 hours on an easy hike with natural resources coordinators for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve as they share their knowledge about the preserve and the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. 

Thursday, April 27

Earth and Arbor Day ArtWalk  

6:30-9 p.m. at Scottsdale Art District  

Enjoy a beautiful evening perusing the Scottsdale Arts District.  Stroll along Main Street from Scottsdale Road to Goldwater Blvd. and north of Indian School Road on Marshall Way to 5th Ave., listening to live music, sampling refreshments and more. Participating SGA member galleries will showcase sustainable art practices and works. Learn more. 

Rewilding your gardens and landscape with Joan Baron

6-7:30 a.m. at Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road  

Environmental artist and master gardener Joan Baron invites you to a lively, hands-on experience around food and wildflowers. Learn about sustainable practices for year-round success. Walk-ins welcome.  

Bike to Work or Wherever Day

6:30 – 9 a.m. at various locations 

Scottsdale encourages you to take this opportunity to go for a nice bike ride. Enjoy free t-shirts, stickers and breakfast snacks. For more information, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search “Bike Month.”  

Friday, April 28

Arbor Day Celebration  

8 a.m. at Chaparral Park, 5401 N Hayden Road (south end of the park near the lake) 

Scottsdale is proud to be recognized as a Tree City USA community for the 41st year -- more times than any other Arizona community. Mayor Ortega will read the Arbor Day proclamation and there will be a tree-planting ceremony. Read more about the Arbor Day Foundation and the criteria to be a Tree City. 

Thank you to the Scottsdale Garden Club, Daughters of the American Revolution Major Winfield Scott Chapter and SRP for donating trees. 

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  
• Check out Scottsdale Public Library to see what fun and educational activities they are hosting throughout April, including how to turn 2-liter soda bottles into terrariums and Citizen Science kits.

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

Download Scottsdale Earth Week events flyer (PDF). 

View the original press release here.