The website for the Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills has a listing of scheduled events for the 2024 winter season through the end of April (scfh.org). What follows is the listings of events through February:

All hikes recommend participants wear sturdy hiking boots or shoes with grippy soles and hiking poles. Pets are not allowed on the hikes.

Dan Gruber will lead an informational presentation on the geology at the Fountain Hills Botanical Garden Thursday, Feb. 1, from 9 to 11 a.m.

The Desert Botanical Garden presents a microcosm of the interesting geology of Fountain Hills. Gruber will talk about the rocks in the garden; what they are, how they frame the stories they tell, and their importance to the ecosystem of Fountain Hills and the surrounding area. Bring a bottle of water and snacks. Register for Course #2437.

Pam Cissik and Larry Mills lead a hike from Tom’s Thumb Trailhead in the Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve to the Golden Eagle Trailhead in Fountain Hills Thursday, Feb. 8.

This will be an exercise paced hike and a challenging hike due to the 9.5-mile distance and faster pace. However, elevation gain will be modest since the route will avoid the climb up to Tom’s Thumb and follow fairly flat trails into the McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Plan for a longer day as hikers will meet at the Golden Eagle Trailhead and shuttle to the Tom’s Thumb Trailhead. Bring three liters of water and lunch. There is a $2 entrance fee into McDowell Regional Park. Register for Course #2439.

On the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 13, Vicky Derksen and Janice Holden will host the first quarter moon stargazing hike from the Adero Canyon Trailhead from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The SCFH invites residents to join Derksen, host of Night Sky Tourist podcast and the FH Dark Sky Association president, at the FH Preserve during the first quarter moon to observe the night skies. Participants might see a planet or two and locate and identify constellations and their stars. Derksen will recount some myths and stories held by ancient cultures.

After the hike, the Star Dudes will point their telescopes at deep space objects that can’t be seen with the naked eye. Bring preregistered children over eight years, wear comfortable clothing, close-toed shoes, bring water, hiking poles if needed and a red flashlight to protect everyone’s night vision. Be prepared to hike approximately two miles.

Derksen also serves on the board of the International Dark Sky Discovery Center. Find her online at nightskytourist.com. Register for Course #2441.

Learn about medicinal plants of the desert as Bernie Finkle leads a walk through the Fountain Hills Botanical Garden Saturday, Feb. 17, from 9 to 11 a.m.

Finkel will introduce and explain how certain plants found in the Garden and elsewhere in the Sonoran Desert have been used for medicinal purposes by Native Americans. He will also touch on the history of medicinal plants and what makes a plant medicinal.

Bring a bottle of water and snacks. Register for Course #2442.

Take a bird watching walk along the Salt River with Kathe Anderson Monday, Feb. 19. Meet at the Fountain Hills Library parking lot at 7:15 a.m. and expect to be gone until 12 p.m.

The group will carpool to the Granite Reef Recreation Area along the Salt River. Informal paths follow the shoreline to watch a variety of birds. If there is time there may be an opportunity to check out other areas along the Salt River.

Anderson is a local birding expert who will have much information to share. She has led hundreds of field trips all over Arizona and teaches birding classes for ASU’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, the Desert Botanical Garden and others.

Bring water, snacks binoculars and something to take notes. A National Parks pass, Senior Pass or Tonto National Forest day pass is required. A day pass can be purchased online at myscenicdrives.com/store/item/forest-passes/tonto. Register for Course #2443.

Also, Monday, Feb. 19, John Thompson will lead a hike on the Andrews-Kinsey Trail in the Fountain Hills Preserve. Meet at the Adero Canyon Trailhead at 8 a.m.

This is a new opportunity for those interested in a faster paced workout that doesn’t take up much of the day. This will be a six-mile round trip hike to be completed in two hours at a pace of three miles per hour. It will be sure to get your heart pumping.

Bring two liters of water and snacks. There will be a short break at the Hitching Post. Register for Course #2444.

Cathy Pepperd will lead an easy pace hike at sunrise Wednesday, Feb. 21, from the Adero Canyon Trailhead from 7 to 9 a.m.

Earlybirds looking for a morning hike that isn’t too far, too fast or too hard will enjoy this series of hikes led by Pepperd. It is a perfect way to introduce new hikers to the Preserve. This hike will follow the Sonoran Trail to the first crossover to the Lower Sonoran for a 3.3-mile lollipop loop. Bring two liters of water and snacks. Register for Course #2446.

Nancy Whitton will lead a hike from the Sunrise Trailhead to the Adero Canyon Trailhead Monday, Feb. 26, starting at 8 a.m.

This is a one-way, five-mile hike with considerable elevation gain from the Sunrise Trailhead to the Adero Canyon Trailhead. The group will meet at the Adero Canyon Trailhead and carpool for a shuttle to the Sunrise Trailhead. The hike begins with a steady and strenuous climb to Sunrise Peak. The climb up to the peak is optional. There will be several scenic views to enjoy even without the climb to the peak. The hike then connects to the Andrews-Kinsey trail and, with some ups and downs along the way, gradually descending to the Adero Canyon Trailhead.

Bring two liters of water and salty snacks. Register for Course #2440.

Learn to watch for what is hidden in the Fountain Hills Preserve with Lisa Miller Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 8:30 a.m. at Adero Canyon Trailhead.

While it’s uncommon to encounter a mule deer or bobcat on the trail, signs of these and other desert wildlife are all around. Knowing how and where to look is the trick. Join Miller in the search for signs left behind by animals and learn what the evidence reveals about their adaptations and behaviors.

The short hike will be led by Miller, a naturalist and Master Steward of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, and FH Dark Sky Association board member. Bring one liter of water, snacks and wear sturdy boots. Hiking poles are recommended. Register for Course #2447.

Visit scfh.org, click on events to register by clicking on course number.