Desert Awareness Committee
Desert Awareness Committee has been the community resource advocate for the Sonoran Desert since 1974. Our mission is to educate residents and visitors so that they may join us in understanding, conserving and preserving our diverse and fragile desert; its plants, animals, water, and wildlife.
Check Out Our New Virtual Field Trip!
Discover. Learn. Share.
Take a trip with your class through Desert Awareness Park as a Desert Explorer! Gather data as you explore, learn all about the plants and animals of the desert, then share with others! We are excited to announce our Desert Reach Education Program is now available on a 7 segment professional video with teacher guide, ready to be downloaded and used in your classroom or home.
DAC Education and Conservation
Educating the Public
We accomplish our education mission through:
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Our desert edibles and medicinal workshops for the public at large explaining how to harvest, prepare and use desert plants.
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Our “Fragile Desert” publication, a practical and informative guide to living sustainably in the Sonoran Desert plus “Chloe and the Desert Heroes”, a book that will inspire people of all ages to respect the natural world and honor the dignity of every human being.
- Our “Taste of the Desert” cook book with 77 recipes and how-to information on harvesting and preparing desert fruits, beans, nuts and flowers.
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Our 100 natural history articles written by members over 25 years.
Conservation – Desert Awareness Park
We accomplish our conservation mission through:
Our stewardship of Desert Awareness Park, located in Cave Creek, is dedicated to those who yearn to understand our desert home. You will find short nature trails, an interpretive center, picnic areas, children’s playground and an abundance of meaningful information about our surrounding desert.
Hiking
Come Join the Fun!
DAC leads interpretive themed hikes the 3rd Monday of each month October through April. Keep up to date on the hikes and times on our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/desertawareness
Seminars
There is so much to learn about our desert.
Join us the second Monday of each month from 6:30-8pm October through April to learn about fascinating aspects of the Sonoran Desert… its plants, animals, geology, archaeology, and more! Speakers bring their knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to you in these exciting and informative seminars. No need to register, $5 donation is appreciated.
Volunteers
We can’t do all of this without our dedicated volunteers, please join us!
If you love the desert, want to know more, or want to work with us to help us accomplish our mission, come join us! Complete our online interest form, or call the Holland Center office at 480-488-1090 for more information.
Up-and-Coming
DAC Resources
The Fragile Desert
Published by Desert Awareness Committee
Much has been published about the lifestyle, plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. The Foothills area is called “The Arizona Uplands” and has an elevation of 2500 to 4500 feet. The Fragile Desert addresses the issues that Foothills residents may encounter in adapting to, enjoying, and understanding the desert environment.
Other DAC Publications
Great online articles about our Sonoran Desert and more!
At Home in the Desert
A play for classroom use
“At Home in the Desert” written by Phyllis Strupp, is a one-act play, seeking to help elementary school students sort out their difficulties by connecting with the natural world around them, the desert. The play promotes diversity and communication and is perceived as a tool for reducing bullying. In the play, eleven year-old Chloe learns valuable life lessons from the Sonoran Desert with the help of some mysterious friends (historical figures, desert plants and animals).
