Nature Fest is coming to the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area in Phoenix.

The free event celebrates urban wildlife and the nature in our own Valley backyard. Come learn about the Salt River’s diverse ecosystem, volunteer to protect the unique habitat and enjoy family-friendly outdoor activities designed for all ages.

Nature Fest goes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, and is staged along the Salt River, a culturally significant Valley natural resource and home to a variety of wildlife. There are more than 45 local partners participating with interactive activities including live wildlife encounters, art projects, guided walks, food, games, prizes and more.

Participants will meet at the Northeast 7th Avenue Trailhead, at 2801 S. 7th Ave.

Prizes include Phoenix Zoo tickets, Butterfly Wonderland tickets, Desert Botanical Garden membership, Maricopa County Parks passes, Dig It Gardens and other gift cards. Drawings will take place throughout the event.

The event is hosted by the city of Phoenix with partners U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ASU, Rio Reimagined, Corazon Latino Arizona Forward, Waste Management, Salt River Project, Swire Coca-Cola, and Wilson and Company Engineering.

Schedule of Events

Food trucks arrive at 9 a.m. and will be on site until 2 p.m.

• 8-9 a.m. Salt River Clean Up – Volunteers remove trash from river area
• All morning - Art Zone crafts and activities including puppet craft with Great Arizona Puppet Theater, nature relief printing with artist Karen Nazario Moranchel, and making native seed balls with Dig It Gardens.
• All morning - Art Zone crafts for kids and nature-themed face painting
• 9:15–9:45 a.m. - Live Wildlife: Snakes & Scorpions with Maricopa County Parks
• 9:15-10 a.m.- Walk for the Wild guided bird walk with Sonoran and Desert Rivers Audubon chapters
• 10–10:30 a.m. - “Jack Rabbit and the Desert Tortoise” with Great Arizona Puppet Theater
• 10:45–11:15 a.m. - Live Wildlife with Liberty Wildlife
• 10:45–11:15 a.m. - Plant for Pollinators
• 11:30 a.m.-noon - Live Wildlife: Lizards and Reptiles with Phoenix Herpetological Society
• 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. - FitPHX Walk for the Wild with Paulina Cota from Eleva Mindset
• 12:15–12:45 p.m. - Live Wildlife: Birds with Fallen Feathers
• 1–1:30 p.m. - "Jack Rabbit and the Desert Tortoise” with Great Arizona Puppet Theater
• 1–1:30 p.m.- Plant for Pollinators
• 1:35–1:55 p.m. - "Observe, Don’t Disturb” with Phoenix Zoo

Visit www.phoenix.gov/naturefestphx.