Goodyear park to host Earth Day event

Two Earth Day events are scheduled for April 22 at Estrella Mountain Regional Park, offering volunteers and visitors opportunities to support conservation efforts and learn about local biodiversity.

A morning “Desert Defenders” event from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. will focus on removing invasive plant species to help reduce wildfire risk and improve habitat conditions in Maricopa County parks. Participants will also learn to identify invasive plants and how to remove them effectively. The event begins at the park’s Nature Center and is open to individuals 13 and older, with minors required to be accompanied by an adult or have a signed waiver.

Organizers advise participants to bring work gloves, water and a snack, and to wear long sleeves, pants and closed-toe shoes for the outdoor work, which may include hiking on natural trails.

Later in the day, a City Nature Challenge practice hike is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program will introduce participants to the upcoming April 24–27 City Nature Challenge and demonstrate how to use the iNaturalist smartphone app to document plants and animals. The guided walk, led by a park ranger, will take place between the Nature Center and the Quail Trailhead.

The hike is limited to 20 participants and requires advance registration through the park’s Nature Center.

Both events are part of broader Earth Day activities highlighting environmental stewardship and community-based conservation efforts. Organizers note that outdoor programs may be canceled due to weather conditions.

Visit maricopacountyparks.net/events/estrella for more information.