Desert Plant Walk: Medicinal Plants of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve

This guided plant walk takes place within the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and focuses on medicinal plants native to the Sonoran Desert as they appear in a protected upland environment. The preserve offers an opportunity to observe desert species growing in relation to intact habitat, elevation changes, and seasonal conditions

This outdoor walk is designed for those interested in learning how desert plants are identified and worked with in herbal practice. We will observe plants in their growing environment and discuss how they have traditionally been used for food, medicine, and daily living.

We’ll move slowly through the landscape, observing plants where they grow and how they respond to the land, the season, and the conditions around them. The walk emphasizes plant identification, along with how these plants are used in herbal medicine and traditionally as food.

Some plants discussed may also appear on other plant walks throughout the season. Seeing the same species in different locations supports practical plant knowledge over time.

Terrain includes uneven dirt paths and changes in elevation typical of desert landscapes. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are recommended.

This is an educational walk. No harvesting will take place.

Advance registration is required. No walk-ups. Exact meetup details are emailed after registration.

Details and registration are available at Desert Moon Botanicals: https://desertmoonbotanicals.com/plant-walk-mcdowell 

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