Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant:
The Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant is offering a limited series of six pre-recorded program episodes based on our most popular school programs.
Designed for school groups, these videos are released one at a time and are available free with registration. Some episodes include companion handouts to enhance the learning experience.
Episode 1
Aquatic Life Program:
Join Rangers Terry and Natalie in this engaging video program focused on the importance of freshwater ecosystems.
Students will learn why freshwater is essential by exploring and identifying aquatic organisms using a field guide. The program introduces key scientific tools and investigation methods used to study water quality. Participants will also examine the difference between clean and polluted water based on the types of organisms present.
In addition, students will discover how much freshwater is available on Earth and learn about the history of Lake Pleasant.
Trailer:
Episode 2
Desert Ecosystems Program:
Join Rangers Cassidy and Terry on a guided virtual hike through the Sonoran Desert. This video program explores how desert plants and animals are uniquely adapted to survive and thrive in this environment.
Students will learn how living and nonliving components of the desert are interconnected. Topics include food chains, ecosystem balance, and the meaning of the term ecosystem. Along the trail at the Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant, rangers highlight real examples of native plants, animals, and their habitats.
Trailer:
Episode 3
Animal Tracking Program
Join Rangers Mark and Cassidy in this educational video about the science of animal tracking.
Students will learn how to identify animal signs—such as tracks, scat, and other clues—to better understand where animals travel and how they behave. The rangers demonstrate how to use observation skills, including sight, sound, and smell, to locate and interpret signs of wildlife in the environment.
Follow along as the rangers explore and discover evidence of animals in their natural habitat.
Trailer:
Episode 4
In Cold Blood Program
Join Rangers Natalie and Mark in this educational video exploring what it means to be cold-blooded.
Students will learn the differences between cold-blooded and warm-blooded animals and discover how reptiles and other cold-blooded species survive in the Sonoran Desert. The program highlights several desert animals and explains the adaptations that help them thrive in their environment.
Participants may also gain a new perspective on some commonly misunderstood desert creatures.
- Recommended for Grades K–12
- Handout: Click here to download the Insects, Reptiles, and Fish handouts.
Trailer:
Episode 5
Cactimendous Program:
Join Rangers Cassidy and Natalie on a guided “Cactimendous” hike to learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert.
In this video program, students will explore what makes a plant a cactus and how these unique plants are adapted to survive in desert conditions. The rangers highlight a variety of cactus species, examine their distinctive features, and explain how each one is suited to the environment.
Participants will also learn how to distinguish true cacti from other desert plants that are commonly mistaken for cacti.
Trailer:
Episode 6
Nature Notes Program
Join Rangers Cassidy and Natalie in this creative video program about starting your own nature journal.
Students will learn how to create and use a personal journal to record observations, drawings, and reflections about the natural world. Nature journals have long been used by scientists, artists, inventors, and writers to document discoveries and ideas.
Ranger Cassidy demonstrates how to make a journal using different types of paper and basic art supplies, and shares tips for creative expression. The program also includes outdoor activities that encourage participants to observe, sketch, and write about what they experience in nature.
- Recommended for Grades 2–12
Trailer:
