Month: November 2026

Foothills Speaker Series Presents: Hummingbirds 101

CAVE CREEK, AZ – Hilary Morejon of the International Hummingbird Society will present “Hummingbirds 101,” 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 Tuesday, January 5, at 6:00 p.m. at the Holland Center.

Hummingbirds draw more devoted admiration than almost any other desert animal, and Morejon will use that as a starting point for a closer look at the biology behind it. Topics will include the unique anatomy that allows hummingbirds to hover and fly backward, their rapid metabolism, and the adaptations that let them survive in a harsh desert climate. Morejon will close with hands-on guidance on how residents can support hummingbirds from their own homes.

“People already love hummingbirds. My job is easy, I just get to point that love toward something useful,” said Morejon. “There’s something about these birds that gets people paying attention to nature in a way few others do, and once that attention is there, we can turn it into real habitat and real conservation.”

The talk offers something for a broad range of interests. Casual admirers will come away with a better sense of what makes hummingbirds so unusual, while serious birders will get expert-level detail on local species and behavior. For anyone who has ever wondered how to attract hummingbirds to their yards, Morejon will provide direct, practical answers.

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: Hummingbirds 101
• When: Tuesday, January 5, 2027 – 6:00 p.m.
• Where: Holland Center, 34250 N 60th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85266
• Register: Free and open to the public, registration is required due to limited seating. Visit dflt.org/speakerseries

Sonoran Speaker Series Presents: Starry Desert Nights

The Valley of the Sun J and Desert Foothills Land Trust invite the community to the upcoming Sonoran Speaker Series event, “Starry Desert Nights,” featuring Kevin LeGore from Focus Astronomy. This free event will take place on Tuesday, January 12th, at 6:00 PM at the Valley of the Sun J in Scottsdale.

LeGore will guide attendees through the basics of the night sky. Then he’ll get practical, covering everything you need to start stargazing at home, from choosing the right gear to finding a good viewing spot and knowing when to head outside. Whether you’ve never owned a telescope or you’re already tracking meteor showers, there’s something here for you, along with tips on what’s visible in Arizona skies throughout the year. Following the presentation, volunteers from Focus Astronomy will set up professional-grade telescopes so participants can get an up-close look at the moon, planets, and other celestial bodies.

“I always look forward to sharing the night sky with people who are seeing it in a new way,” said Kevin LeGore. “There’s nothing like watching someone spot a crater on the moon or a ring around Saturn for the first time through a telescope.”

From curious beginners to seasoned stargazers, the Sonoran Speaker Series: Starry Desert Nights offers an awe-inspiring journey through the cosmos.

The Sonoran Speaker Series is an ongoing free lecture series designed to connect community members with the natural and cultural heritage of their Sonoran Desert home. The series provides accessible educational opportunities for residents and visitors to deepen their understanding of this unique desert ecosystem and its human history. For more information about the Sonoran Speaker Series and upcoming events, visit dflt.org/speakerseries.

Event Details:

• What: Sonoran Speaker Series: Starry Desert Nights
• When: January 12, 2027, at 6:00 PM

• Where: Valley of the Sun J, 12701 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
• Cost: Free and open to the public. To reserve your spot, visit dflt.org/speakerseries