The event welcomes the whole family, from young children exploring nature for the first time to longtime desert residents. Jewel of the Creek Preserve is set on 26 acres of desert in northern Cave Creek, and features mature saguaros, mesquite forest, and lush cottonwood and willow trees along the Cave Creek riverbed. Visitors can follow discovery maps through stations set up across the preserve, try their hand at gold panning, meet animal ambassadors up close, and take part in interactive exhibits on local wildlife, history, and ecology. Activities are geared toward a wide range of ages and interests, so children and adults alike can find something to enjoy.

Beyond a day of activities, Desert Discovery Day is about giving families a chance to unplug and spend time outdoors together, away from daily routines and screens. It’s also a chance to learn what makes the Sonoran Desert unique, and to see the conservation work of Desert Foothills Land Trust and its partners in action. Organizers hope it’s an experience families carry with them well beyond the day itself.

“One of our goals with Desert Discovery Day is to help the next generation develop a love for the desert,” said Raena Kamakahi, President and CEO of Desert Foothills Land Trust. “When kids have the chance to explore this landscape firsthand, they’re more likely to care about protecting it as they grow up.”