Desert
Nature
Alliance
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The Museum is getting a NEW LOOK!
The Museum is getting a NEW LOOK!
"A gateway drug to higher learning" quote from Best of Phoenix Magazine
Excited about the changes happening at the DNA!! Contact by email with any special requests.
(A local female Northern Cardinal.)
Skeleton of a Canyon Bat
(The head is the size of a pencil eraser!)
STEM and STEAM Events:
STEM and STEAM Events:
Scheduling NOW for 2026!
Scheduling NOW for 2026!
We go to Schools, Colleges, Libraries, City Events and more all across AZ!
Or would you rather come visit our Museum?
Contact us to get your time booked.
DNA 2025
A Great Year of Events Across Arizona!
Wilson K-8 School STREAM Night, Tucson - February 7
Nature at Night, Chandler - March 22
Dark Sky Festival, Fountain Hills - March 29
ADOT Earth Day Clean Up, Tempe - April 22
Read the Article on the ADOT Webpage
Read the Article on the ADOT Webpage
"ADOT volunteers support Earth Day mission"
"ADOT volunteers support Earth Day mission"
Grab a vest and pitch in.
That’s what more than 30 Adopt a Highway volunteers did last week on Earth Day, a very special Tuesday during National Volunteer Week. See the entire photo album here.
After a 6 a.m. safety briefing, participants outfitted with safety vests and trash bags cleaned a stretch of ADOT right of way along the Salt River, a location below the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway bridge typically cared for by ADOT maintenance crews.
Jay Osegueda showed up smiling with wife, Stacy and “his and hers” rakes in to help corral trash. The couple adopted a stretch two years ago along US 60 in Gold Canyon with their group, Desert Nature Alliance. Stacy said, “I have met so many people that would love to be part of these events, but for different reasons they can’t, so that’s why we do it.”
Andie Atondo and five team members from CivTech Inc. showed up vested, gloved and ready for a trash-busting mission. Andie said, “We wanted to come out and join ADOT on Earth Day to help clean up. We usually do a fun activity every month, so this was our activity to give back.”
By this time two hours had passed and 49 trash bags filled – about 650 pounds worth of trash. Volunteers gathered hundreds more pounds of construction debris and broken shopping carts for removal by ADOT maintenance crews. The most interesting finds were three electric rental scooters dragged from the brush and mud near the river. READ more by clicking the link below.
SIGN UP WITH THE DESERT NATURE ALLIANCE for the 2026 event on Wednesday, April 22!
The Adopt a Highway program provides an opportunity for community members and businesses to help keep our highways litter free.
In 2024, more than 7,600 volunteers filled 10,000 trash bags to help reduce litter along state highways.
M.E.S.A Day STEM Event at Phoenix College - April 26
Family STEAM Night at Pima Community College, Tucson - May 2
Halloween Festival, Apache Junction - October 25
DeGrazia Elementary STEM Night, Tucson - November 5
AZ STEM Adventures at Pima Community College Northwest Camput, Tucson - November 21
Check out our interview in July/August 2024 issue of Phoenix Magazine!
Best of the Valley Edition
Best of the Valley Edition
Thanks to writer Mare Czinar for coming out to visit and sitting down to talk with us about the Desert Nature Alliance!
Interview
Interview
A highlight was when Mare called the DNA a "gateway drug" to higher learning!!
Read about the 3 T's of Desert Safety:
TIME, TRAILS, and TEMPERATURE
Created by Stacy Osegueda, Founder/Director/Curator of the DNA
3 Ts of Safety.pdf
Need Community Service Hours? Let us know, we can put you to work!
Did you know our YouTube Channel
Did you know our YouTube Channel
has over 800 wildlife and nature videos?
has over 800 wildlife and nature videos?
THANK YOU, EVERYONE!
1,100 subscribers and growing!!
https://www.youtube.com/@desertnaturealliance
Check it out, hit 'LIKE' and SUBSCRIBE to support the DNA! (IT'S FREE)
Desert Nature Alliance
Coyote, Rattlesnakes, Saguaro, Hiking trails and more! Come EXPLORE the Arizona Desert with Stace and the dNa! Desert
Nature Alliance is our new non profit dedicated to helping you fall in love with the desert! Gold Canyon Arizona is no ordinary
desert! Tucked up to the Superstition Mountains ( home of Weavers Needle, Flat Iron, Siphon Draw, Hieroglyphics Trail,
Peralta Trail, Wave Cave, and of course the Lost Dutchman Goldmine) Surrounded by a VERY active eco system, we have
tried to document as much as possible to share with you and educate you on ALL of the things in this part of the desert.
Initially starting with a blog "adesertviewwstace.com" quickly moving on to photos, videos, articles for the local papers,
Instagram @oh_so_stace and @desert_nature_alliance but still knew more people had to see and experience what we are was
seeing! So here we are on You Tube with our very own Channel and now hundreds of videos ! Like , Subscribe, comment so we
know you are out there!
Our DNA Desert Guide trifold is now available ONLINE in English and Spanish!
dNa broch Mar 2024.pdfdNa broch Mar 2024 en espanol.pdfRemembering 2024 Events
Arizona STEM Adventure™
Arizona STEM Adventure™
On Friday, November 22, 2024, over 2,000 4th through 8th grade students from across Arizona will adventure through a one-day glimpse into the world of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at Pima Community College, Northwest Campus. STEM professionals from throughout the community share their world to motivate students to complete a science or engineering project of their own.
Students engage in hands-on science with STEM professionals and experience a variety of hands-on activities and experiences, interact with our scientists and engineers, ask questions, embark on tours, and learn from STEM professionals!
Earth Day 2024 ADOT Adopt a Highway Cleanup at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
Monday, April 22, 2024
Peralta Trail Elementary Spring Festival and STEAM Event!
Friday, April 19, 2024
So much FUN!!
Chandler's Nature at Night Event
Saturday, March 23, 2024
The DNA was part of the 2023 Arizona STEM Adventure in Tucson at
The DNA was part of the 2023 Arizona STEM Adventure in Tucson at
Pima Community College's Northwest Campus back in November! BONES!
Pima Community College's Northwest Campus back in November! BONES!
DNA Nature Trail is Coming Together!
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!
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: 480-235-7644
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.
Here we are looking at bones found scattered in the desert.
How can you identify them?
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!
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
Contestants in the
Battle Bot Competition
Battle Bot Competition
Launch It!
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!
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 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 read 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.
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