Summer is starting to heat up in Central Arizona, but that doesn’t mean you have to lock yourself inside with the AC blasting. If you set up your patio right, summer can still be a great time for outdoor fun and entertaining. Go for A Sunscreen A key component to outdoor fun in Arizona heat is access to shade. At …
The start of summer heat means that the annual migration of Phoenix Snowbirds is already underway. Our city’s intense climate is a relief to many in the winter, but a trial in the summertime. If you are packing up your house and heading north for the season, here are some things to consider. Power Down You don’t want your home …
Sometimes the desert in Arizona gets so hot you have to wonder how other animals get by without the benefit of cooling sunshades. Yet, for centuries Sonoran wildlife has developed and adapted to the extremes of desert temperatures. Part of their strategy is similar to ours – get in the shade for a simple, natural cool. Other fauna is crepuscular …
With spring in Arizona, the desert comes to life, which makes it a great time to get out and garden. During the Spring, the days are getting warmer, but the full heat of summer sun is still in the future. Planting in your garden now is a good way to create some cooling shade in the months to come. Desert …
Here in the Sonoran Desert, we’re used to extremes of hot and dry weather. Sometimes, this can make the reality of climate change seem abstract and hard to see, but rising global temperatures are setting into motion a cascade of drastic changes to ecosystems and weather patterns. From the severe polar vortex winter storms striking the Midwest to the widespread …
Spring is a great time to hit the road and take a weekend trip. With hundreds of great spots to explore just a short drive from Phoenix, a road trip is just the thing for finding a new adventure. Before the summer starts heating up, it’s also a good time to get out to some off-the-beaten path locations like the …
Have you ever wondered how the native cacti of the Sonoran Desert can survive the hot, arid challenges of Arizona summer? It turns out that many cacti get by with a little help from their friends. In an evolved connection, cacti thrive in conjunction with colonies of ants, both specially adapted to benefit the other. The Generous Cactus Looking close …
If you live in the desert, you’ve probably noticed the sudden burst of color across the hills and roadsides. Not only has the Spring brought an invigorating greenness to the plants of the Sonoran Desert, but thanks to our Winter rainfall, a full rainbow of blooms is now happening across the region. From late February until May expect to encounter …
With the winter chill behind us, springtime in central Arizona is the perfect time to plan an adventure in the vast beauty of the Sonoran Desert. This year, exploring the desert features not only ideal weather but a bursting display of wildflower blooms. The chance to spot birds, animals and other wildlife also increases, especially as desert reptiles emerge from …
Beautiful surroundings are something Arizonans almost take for granted. From our astounding geology to its tenacious ecology, our Sonoran Desert shows us breathtaking beauty and natural wonder. Have you ever wondered what shaped this land? Behind the rock formations, climate patterns, flora and fauna there lies an ancient history that the region is still connected to. Based in part on …