The Desert Foothills Mountain Bike Association (DFMBA), a local chapter of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), announced the return of the Cave Creek Cactus Classic, known as C4, the organization’s flagship mountain bike race, set for Saturday, November 14, 2026, with an 8:30 a.m. start.
Local Jonny’s will serve as C4 Race Headquarters for the day, hosting packet pick-up, the start, and the finish. The 25-mile course is a challenging ride through some of the region’s best terrain, taking riders through Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, Cave Creek Regional Park, and the Maricopa Trail, with roughly 2,000 feet of climbing through the Sonoran Desert.
“The Cave Creek Cactus Classic is more than a race — it’s a celebration of everything that makes the Desert Foothills special. Spur Cross Ranch and Cave Creek Regional Park are some of the best trails in the state, and this event lets us share that with riders from all over while raising support for the trail work that keeps them rideable for everyone,” said Richard Meyers, President, DFMBA.
Proceeds from the Cave Creek Cactus Classic support DFMBA’s ongoing mission to build, maintain, and advocate for sustainable mountain biking trails throughout the Desert Foothills area, and fund local youth cycling programs.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
Race Headquarters: Local Jonny’s, 6033 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 (packet pick-up, start, finish)
Course: 25 miles, ~2,000 ft elevation gain, through Spur Cross Ranch, Cave Creek Regional Park, and the Maricopa Trail
Hally Cokenias, co-founder of Arizona Bat Rescue, will discuss the biology, ecology, and rehabilitation of Arizona’s wild bats at “Saving Arizona’s Bats,” the next installment of the Foothills Speaker Series, a joint effort of Desert Foothills Land Trust and the Holland Center. The talk is set for Monday, November 2, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Holland Center.
Drawing on years of experience rehabilitating Arizona’s bats, Cokenias will offer an introduction to these animals: why they matter to the desert ecosystem, the threats they face, and the work underway to protect them. Attendees will learn the basics of bat biology and behavior, along with the role bats play in the Sonoran Desert, from pollinating native plants to keeping insect populations in check. Cokenias will also speak to the growing challenges facing bat populations in Arizona and what her work at Arizona Bat Rescue looks like on the ground, from responding to calls about injured or displaced bats to caring for them through recovery.
“Bats are among our most important yet misunderstood wildlife neighbors,” said Cokenias. “Once people understand how bats actually behave and what they do for the desert, a lot of the fear around them starts to fall away.”
This event is part of the Foothills Speaker Series, an ongoing free lecture series that connects community members with the natural and cultural heritage of their Sonoran Desert home. The series brings together experts from across the Southwest to share knowledge about desert ecology, conservation, and the natural world.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required due to limited seating. For more information and to register, visit dflt.org/speakerseries.
Event Details:
What: Foothills Speaker Series: Arizona’s Bats
When: Monday, November 2, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Holland Center, 34250 N 60th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85266
Register: Free and open to the public, registration is required. Visit dflt.org/speakerseries
Sonoran Speaker Series Presents “Understanding Arizona’s Bears”
Free public lecture explores the natural history of black bears and their presence in Arizona
Desert Foothills Land Trust and Valley of the Sun J will present the next installment of their Sonoran Speaker Series, a free public lecture on black bears featuring Jeff Meyers of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, on Tuesday, November 10th at 6:00 p.m. at Valley of the Sun J, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254.
The presentation will cover the natural history of black bears, with special attention to their behavior, habitat, and presence throughout Arizona. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn directly from a wildlife professional about how these animals live in and adapt to the Sonoran Desert region and the broader Arizona landscape.
“Black bears lead far more complex and interesting lives than most people realize,” said Jeff Meyers, presenter and biologist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “This is a great opportunity for people to learn how these animals actually live in Arizona, and what we can all do to coexist with them responsibly.”
The lecture is part of the Sonoran Speaker Series, an ongoing free lecture series. The series is designed to connect community members with the natural and cultural heritage of their Sonoran Desert home. It offers accessible educational opportunities for residents and visitors alike, helping deepen their understanding of this unique desert ecosystem and its human history.
“As Arizona’s communities continue to grow into bear habitat, it’s more important than ever for people to understand how to share the landscape responsibly,” said Raena Kamakahi, President & CEO of Desert Foothills Land Trust. “We’re grateful to partner with Valley of the Sun J to bring this kind of education to the public at no cost.”
Whether you’re a longtime Arizona resident or new to the desert, the Sonoran Speaker Series offers a rare chance to hear directly from the experts who study the wildlife around us. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to find seating and stay after the talk for a Q&A with Jeff Meyers. To learn more about this event and other upcoming talks in the Sonoran Speaker Series, visit dflt.org/speakerseries.
About the Sonoran Speaker Series The Sonoran Speaker Series is a joint initiative of Desert Foothills Land Trust and Valley of the Sun J, offering an ongoing series of free public lectures connecting community members with the natural and cultural heritage of their Sonoran Desert home.
CAVE CREEK, AZ – Families are invited to discover the Sonoran Desert together at the 14th annual Desert Discovery Day, a free community event hosted by Desert Foothills Land Trust. The event takes place at Jewel of the Creek Preserve in Cave Creek on November 14, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Directions: Travel North on Spur Cross Rd to the end and your won’t miss it – address is listed below.
An Event for All Ages
The event welcomes the whole family, from young children exploring nature for the first time to longtime desert residents. Jewel of the Creek Preserve is set on 26 acres of desert in northern Cave Creek, and features mature saguaros, mesquite forest, and lush cottonwood and willow trees along the Cave Creek riverbed. Visitors can follow discovery maps through stations set up across the preserve, try their hand at gold panning, meet animal ambassadors up close, and take part in interactive exhibits on local wildlife, history, and ecology. Activities are geared toward a wide range of ages and interests, so children and adults alike can find something to enjoy.
Beyond a day of activities, Desert Discovery Day is about giving families a chance to unplug and spend time outdoors together, away from daily routines and screens. It’s also a chance to learn what makes the Sonoran Desert unique, and to see the conservation work of Desert Foothills Land Trust and its partners in action. Organizers hope it’s an experience families carry with them well beyond the day itself.
“One of our goals with Desert Discovery Day is to help the next generation develop a love for the desert,” said Raena Kamakahi, President and CEO of Desert Foothills Land Trust. “When kids have the chance to explore this landscape firsthand, they’re more likely to care about protecting it as they grow up.”
Community Partnership
Desert Foothills Land Trust is grateful for the community support that makes Desert Discovery Day possible, including generous financial contributions from the Town of Cave Creek and the Kiwanis Club of Carefree, along with help from several local organizations and volunteers. Local partners bring their own expertise to the event, including the Arizona Wildlife Federation, Cave Creek Museum, Daisy Mountain Fire Department, Desert Awareness Committee, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, Rattlesnake Solutions, Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, and Wild at Heart Raptors.
Plan Your Visit
Families are welcome to drop in for as little as an hour or stay for the full four hours, with no registration required; visitors hoping to see the whole preserve should plan for at least 90 minutes. The trail is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. Free parking is available at the Spur Cross Parking Lot, 44030 N Spur Cross Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331. Restrooms will be available on-site, and visitors are encouraged to bring sun protection and plenty of water to stay comfortable throughout the day.
Join Us
Desert Foothills Land Trust looks forward to welcoming the community back to Jewel of the Creek Preserve on November 14 for a day of hands-on activities, wildlife encounters, and time together in the Sonoran Desert. Free and open to all ages, Desert Discovery Day is one more way DFLT invites the community to experience and help protect the desert it calls home.
Desert Foothills Land Trust connects people to nature by working with communities and partners to conserve and steward sensitive lands and species for the survival of our Sonoran Desert. Operating in communities across the North Valley, this nonprofit has conserved 1,100 acres across 31 preserves, many open for public exploration. Re-accredited in 2022 by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, the organization continues its vital work protecting the region’s unique desert landscapes, balancing conservation with community needs in rapidly developing areas.
