b'Check Out Our Latest Clothing and Footwear!Wickenburg Conservation Foundation35th ANNIVERSARY SALE!Saturday, October 19thCHARITY OF THE MONTHWickenburg Conservation Foundation O ver an acre of stunning Sonoran desert isAssociation, International Mountain Biking plowed under for construction every day inAssociation, and youth groups to clear brush,Arizona. This alarming fact rallied a group ofrepair and reroute eroded areas and replace signs.people in the Wickenburg area to start a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to preserve and protect theWCF quickly realized that education and awareness remaining open areas for recreation and education.were important components of responsible use and Volunteers joined the effort and within a fewenjoyment of our fragile desert. The Wickenburg years the Wickenburg Conservation FoundationOutdoor Education Partnership initiative has a (WCF), in collaboration with the Bureau of Landgrowing portfolio of free educational programs that Management (BLM), had developed the Sophiesare now attended by hundreds of students and adults Flat/Red Top Trail System, 9-miles of markedeach year. Programs include nationally recognized historic trails and trailhead. Sophies is now enjoyedLeave No Trace, Hug a Tree and Survive, and each year by thousands of locals and out-of-townseveral Citizen Science options. A six-part desert hikers and equestrians. awareness class is taught in the classroom while astronomy, desert navigation, interpretive desert The trailhead, located northeast of Wickenburg hikes, orienteering and desert survival are scheduled on Blue Tank Road, one and 1/4 miles west of at multiple outdoor venues throughout the year. Constellation Road, offers an interpretive kiosk, Programs support STEM education and Arizona toilet, picnic tables, day use parking and a stagingscience standards. area offering equestrians acres of dry camping. A ramada is scheduled to be completed this month. Classes are led by volunteer instructors recruited fromhelp with trail work, train to become an instructor or the private sector and other organizations includingassistant for in-classroom and outdoor programs, or HOURS Maintaining and improving this scenic trail systemArizona Game and Fish, Foothills Communityhelp with publicity and events, contact Bernadine at requires many hours of volunteer work each year.Foundation Desert Awareness Committee, General623-342-5977 or email info@wickenburgtrails.org. MonFri: 8am6pm Over the years the WCF has worked with severalFederated Womans ClubHassayampa, and Yavapai Sat: 8am4pmSun: Closed other organizations such as the American HikingCounty Search and Rescue.Visit our website and Facebook page facebook.com/wickenburgtrails for a WCF also works with teachers andschedule of upcoming events and photos.LOW PRICES &students to develop interpretive nature trails adjacent to the schools. FRIENDLY STAFF! In 2018 we completed a registeredWCF will host its 20th-anniversary Monarch Waystation at the Nadaburgcelebration November 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. School in Wittmann and began work @Stockmanon a half-mile Pulte trail behindat Sophies Flat Trailhead. A Dutch oven Hassayampa Elementary School incooking demo, a free Dutch ovenFeeds AZ 7315 W. Buckeye Rd. Wickenburg. Both trails are used toluncheon, live animal and interpretive supplement the STEM curriculumdisplays, live music, prize drawings and with Citizen Science projects. @stockmanfeeds_az Phoenix, AZ 85043 We rely on monetary donations anda ribbon-cutting for the new ramada are scheduled. Pre-registration is requiredvolunteers to continue our importantfor the luncheon. Register on our websiteSe Habla Espaol (623) 936-5549 work. Donations can be made atat wickenburgtrails.org or call Penny atwickenburgtrails.org. To find out623-388-2759. more information on how you can stockmanfeedswesternwear.com ArizonaRealCountry.com October 2019 57'