HEADLINE NEWS
The Scottsdale 360 series kicks off with “Water Wise” 11 a.m.-noon April 28. We’re asking residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce water use by at least 5% due to the Colorado River shortage. Scottsdale’s Water Policy Manager Gretchen Baumgardner will talk about the city's water resources portfolio, conservation efforts, and ways residents and businesses can help. Register here.
Scottsdale360 is a virtual learning series that highlights the people, policies and programs that shape our community. Other topics include short-term rentals, emergency preparedness and investing in Scottsdale through capital projects. Sign up for one session – or the entire series. All classes take place from 11 a.m.-noon every other Thursday, starting April 28. Learn more and register.
Keep Scottsdale Beautiful and Scottsdale Public Art collaborate on a multi-component beautification project around water facilities. The project pairs public artists with a local team of university students. The hope is to further the awareness of environmental issues in the desert and the value of sustainability in the community and in the world at large through this beautification project. The first part is slated for the Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and the Greenway-Hayden Loop area. Take a look.
Register for Earth Week activities, April 22-29. From volunteer road cleanups and tree giveaways, to a solar power presentation and green expo breakfast with the Mayor and City Council, Scottsdale has a full lineup of events for everyone looking to recognize Earth Day and make our city a better place. Register.
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Mayor and City Council Green Expo Breakfast (8-10 a.m.): Head over to Pima Park, 8600 E. Thomas Road on Earth Day to enjoy breakfast with Mayor David D. Ortega and City Council members and explore sustainability-focused educational booths. Don’t forget to bring your reusable water bottle to fill up at our Scottsdale Water trailer.
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Thomas Groundwater Treatment Facility Public Tours (10-11:20 a.m.): Experience Scottsdale’s newest water facility and learn how Scottsdale Water invests in infrastructure and diversifies its water resources portfolio to secure our water for the future. Participants are encouraged to pre-register because slots are limited. Tour participants must wear closed-toe shoes.
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Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market (8 a.m.-1 p.m. at 3806 N. Brown Ave.): Stop by the city’s booth at the Old Town Farmers Market Saturday where we’ll be giving away small trees, while supplies last. Also learn about the Scottsdale Environmental Advisory Commission's citizen science tree inventory mini project, which aims to collect valuable tree information and other biodiversity data in the city.
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Lifecycle of the Saguaro Guided Walk (8-9:30 a.m. at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead): Native only to the Sonoran Desert, these giant cacti are sights to see! Join our 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.
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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.
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Nature as Therapy Guided Walk (8-9:30 a.m. at Brown's Ranch Trailhead): Learn why time in nature makes us happier, healthier and more creative. Enjoy an easy 1.5-hour walk at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead where steward guides will teach you how to use nature as a prescription to improve your overall well-being.
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Hike with a Natural Resources Coordinator (8-9:30 a.m. at Pima-Dynamite Trailhead): Spend 1 to 1.5 hours on an easy hike with natural resources coordinators for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. They will share their knowledge about the preserve and the wonders of the Sonoran Desert.
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Trailside Naturalist (9-11:30 a.m. at Gateway Trailhead): Stop by the Trailside Naturalist station to learn about the diverse plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. Our Steward Guides will have fascinating displays and lots of fun facts to share. Featuring reptiles, arthropods, packrats and cacti!
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Scottsdale 360 – Water Wise (11 a.m. - noon *Virtual): We’re asking residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce water use by at least 5% due to the Colorado River shortage. Scottsdale’s Water Policy Manager Gretchen Baumgardner will talk about the city's water resources portfolio, conservation efforts, and ways residents and businesses can help. Register here.
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Green Building Webinar Series: Solar 101 (6-7:30 p.m. *Virtual): Interested in going solar but don’t know where to start? Join the non-profit organization Solar United Neighbors for a “Solar 101” webinar with Arizona Program Associate Adrian Keller. Learn how solar works, what it costs and how to save by going solar with your neighbors. Register here.
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Arbor Day Celebration (8 a.m. at Bell Road Sports Complex, 9390 E. Bell Road): Scottsdale is proud to be recognized as a Tree City USA community for the 40th year, more times than any other Arizona community. Read more about the Arbor Day Foundation and the criteria to be a Tree City. Mayor Ortega will read the Arbor Day proclamation and there will be a tree planting ceremony, along with guest speakers from the Scottsdale Garden Club and Scottsdale Environmental Advisory Commission.
New exhibition at Civic Center Library highlights connections through fiber arts. “INTERWOVEN: Telaraña Fiber Arts Guild,” showcases fiber arts, including weaving, spinning, basketry, knitting, crochet, lacemaking, felting, dyeing and more. Telaraña means “spider web” in Spanish and symbolizes the connections felt with others who love the fiber arts. Attend an opening reception from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, April 22, at the Civic Center Public Gallery.
Ongoing Events and Activities:
The National Veterans Wheelchair Games are coming to Tempe. The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is the world’s largest annual wheelchair sports event solely for military veterans. The games are co-presented each year by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America. Registration for athletes is closed, but event volunteers are needed and sponsorship opportunities are available. Learn more at WheelchairGames.org.
Summer’s about here and that means getaways ... Register for the Scottsdale Police Department’s Vacation Watch program. This long-standing service allows residents to request police officers to do a drive by check on their home when they are on vacation. Checks are subject to department priority calls for service. Request needs to be submitted 48-72 hours prior to start of Vacation Watch. Fill out a request.
Tickets on sale for inaugural Pac-12 Baseball Tournament. The PAC-12's first ever championship baseball tournament is set to begin May 25 at Scottsdale Stadium, and tickets are on sale.
View Scottsdale traffic restrictions. Access information in our map center.
