Desert Dwellers Weekend At Vistancia Uncovers Secrets Of Arizona's Landscape
Date Published: Sep 15, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE SONORAN DESERT REVEALED
- DESERT DWELLERS WEEKEND AT VISTANCIA UNCOVERS SECRETS OF ARIZONAS LANDSCAPE -
Whether youre an Arizona newcomer or a long-time resident, a Desert Dwellers Weekend, featuring trail walks that unlock the secrets of the Sonoran Desert landscape, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 9-10 at Vistancia.
The interpretive walks and other programs and displays will originate at the master planned communitys Discovery Center.Vistancia is located west of Lake Pleasant Road and north of Happy Valley Road in north Peoria.
Free and open to the public, the event will also feature talks on astronomy and a desert wildlife display.
Scheduled for 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Oct. 9-10, Native American naturalist and ethno-botanist David Morris will lead informative 90-minute walks along the communitys Discovery Trail, a 3.35-mile linear park that links Vistancia's neighborhoods and amenities.
The Discovery Trail leads its users on a scenic walk through themed gardens, natural trails, wildlife-watching areas and one of the nation's only solar gardens -- a spiraling path that winds down through a built-to-scale replica of the solar system.
During the walks, Morris will share traditional Native American uses of Sonoran Desert plants including creosote and brittle bush as well as prickly pear and saguaro
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DESERT DWELLERS WEEKEND AT VISTANCIA
cactus.For instance, said Morris, the creosote bush was considered the drugstore of the desert because of its many uses.The leaves were made into a tea believed to have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic uses as well as to treat cuts, colds and flu.
Among other informative facts visitors will learn from Morris is that the resin from the brittle bush was made into a prehistoric super glue by Native Americans.
Local astronomer Tony La Conte will hold narrated talks at his StarLab Planetarium located at the Discovery Center at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Oct. 9.
Visitors will be transported into a night sky environment to learn about the constellations, the moon, planets, deep space objects, celestial coordinates, the seasons and multi-cultural folklore and mythology.
From 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 10, Liberty Wildlife, an organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating native Arizona wildlife, will display rescued wildlife.Visitors can see native species up close and learn about their habitats.At 2 p.m., a program will focus on natural history, environmental awareness and human impact.
To reach Vistancia, take 99th Avenue north to Happy Valley Road.Turn left on Happy Valley Road heading west and follow four miles into the community.Follow the signs to the Discovery Center.
For more information on the Desert Dwellers Weekend, call 623- 933-6233.
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