Hello from the
Desert Nature Alliance!
Latest DNA News & Events
So much FUN!!
Chandler's Nature at Night Event
Saturday, March 23
The DNA was part of the 2023 Arizona STEM Adventure in Tucson at
Pima Community College's Northwest Campus back in November! BONES!
DNA Nature Trail is Coming Together!
Thank you to volunteer Graeme, owner of Saguaro Boot LLC, for his hard work and sharing of cactus knowledge while helping to create the DNA Nature Trail - it is looking great! We have added extra trails, water features, bird feeders, native plants, trees and cacti to an already natural setting with subtle elevation changes and awe-inspiring views of the Superstition Mountains. The birds are loving it!!
Our goal is to make the up-close beauty of the Sonoran Desert inclusive and accessible to all. We have created paths and areas for everyone to enjoy an immersive desert experience in a unique, safe environment.
Newest Nightcam Regular is a Gray Fox!
In between the regular javelina herd and random coyotes, we have a new visitor to the most popular Desert Nature Alliance water spot...a gray fox! This fox has started coming by regularly nightly, even twice a night sometimes the last few weeks.
Gray foxes are known for climbing trees and their striking silver-gray coats, red legs and bushy tails that feature black tips and black stripes. They are omnivores and typically weigh about 5 pounds. Gray foxes are the most prevalent of Arizona’s three fox species.
Is it possible that we might get to see baby foxes?? Stay tuned!
To see a lot more wildlife action, go to our YouTube channel by clicking below:
Desert Nature Alliance - YouTube
CHECK IT OUT and SUBSCRIBE now! (It's free)
To schedule your Museum or Nature Trail visit, private presentation, or #STEM class, and for more information
Contact Us
Phone: 480-648-9522
Email: desertnatureallianceaz@gmail.com
The DNA Museum and Nature Trail are located in
Gold Canyon, Arizona
The Desert Nature Alliance at Grand Canyon University for MESA Day 2023 #mesaday
Here we are looking at bones found scattered in the desert.
How can you identify them?
We had a great time at Grand Canyon University for the STEM organization Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement's M.E.S.A. Day 2023, sharing what makes the natural world so amazing and how nature influences engineering all the time. Thank You to everyone who stopped by!
Contestants in the
Battle Bot Competition
Launch It!
DNA Adopt a Highway
As part of the ADOT program, the Desert Nature Alliance has adopted section of Highway 60 from Mile Marker 199 to 200 both sides of freeway, near Silly Mountain, just west of Gold Canyon.
Not for the faint of heart, picking up trash debris along a busy Highway is serious and dangerous work! We also found out picking up trash right off the side of the road can be equally as dangerous due to rattlesnakes! Stacy and Jay spent 4 hours picking up trash! Awesome Job. Thank You to Sissy and her daughter Kaylee for volunteering at the info tent and picking up trash around there.
Stay Tuned For Our Next Cleanup Event Coming Soon!
BOOTS ON THE TRAIL Program
*DONATE YOUR BOOTS! The DNA has proudly launched this new part of our Safety Program designed to make hiking accessible to everyone through wearing the proper shoes. For locations and how to donate your lightly used or never worn hiking shoes head over to the Donate Your Boots Tab!
FREE Classroom Resources
NEW! The Classroom Activities and Worksheet Packet for the "Is a Bat a Bird" Lesson is NOW AVAILABLE!
Go to the Learning tab then the Classroom Resources tab to find the downloadable Word Doc and PDF. The Classroom Resources page connects the local nature and wildlife with the classroom. The focus is creating free resources of printable, ready-to-use activities and worksheets for inquiry-based learning in the STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts Math) subjects for all educators.
Nature Trail Development
The creation of a "Nature Trail" at the DNA HQ is under way! This walking tour will highlight local observation opportunities, multiple varieties of cactus and native plants and provides amazing views of Flatiron and Peak 5057 of the Superstition Mountains and Dinosaur Mountain. The path is a safe and quiet private place to take in the sights and sounds of our local surroundings.
Bat Study
The dNa is contributing to the Bat and Hummingbird Feeder Study by AZGF for the second year to help determine the presence of two nectar-feeding bats, the lesser long-nosed bat and the Mexican long-tongued bat. We recently donated 3 found DOR bats to ASU through AZGF for study! Currently articulating a bat for the first time for display purposes for a local bat rescue. You can reasd more about this in our report/study/findings.
Desert Tortoise Adoptions
Arizona Game and Fish currently have over 300 Sonoran Desert Tortoise that need adopting! That is far too many for them to care for and continue taking in. We must help as much as we can! Spread the word. If you live in Arizona ADOPT A TORTOISE! Head to AZGF website at azgfd.com to learn more. Desert Tortoise are protected species. Losing over 300 from the wild is devastating. Help us spread awareness. Do Not touch any wild animal you see. If you spot a tortoise that looks injured contact Game and Fish.
Mission
The mission of the Desert Nature Alliance (dNa) is to support and inspire the preservation and conservation of the local desert wildlife and nature. The dNa is dedicated to sharing, supporting and creating desert-inspired, inquiry-based studies and research, nature-based tactile STEM & STEAM education, animal awareness and observation in a unique, biodiverse desert setting near the Superstition Mountains in Gold Canyon, Arizona.
The Desert Nature Alliance is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to Nature-based Education and the Safety of Desert Wildlife. We proudly offer Educational Support for Animal Sciences, Anatomy, Articulation, Introduction to Local Plant and Wildlife, Desert Safety and more.
Thanks for visiting us!
Home of the dNa, est. 2020.