In addition to our in-person programming, we love to share opportunities to stay connected outside of the classroom!
The Arizona Trail Association’s Seeds of Stewardship program is committed to helping young people and families connect with the Arizona Trail and our nearby outdoor spaces in safe, fun, and meaningful ways.
Below you’ll find a variety of opportunities for education and nature connections, including:
- Seeds of Stewardship Do-It-Yourself Guides
- Sensory & Ecology Activities
- Junior Explorer Handbooks
- Virtual Sharing
DIY Guides: Explore the Arizona Trail
Our do-it-yourself guides are designed to help young people living near Flagstaff and Tucson engage with the Arizona Trail close to home.
Each DIY guide includes:
- Know-before-you-go tips to help you safely and responsibly enjoy the outdoors.
- 5 hikes with directions to trailheads and route suggestions.
- Lists highlighting some of the areas’ notable features.
- Site-specific activities with background information, activity supply lists, directions, and opportunities to share your learning.
Start exploring:
Flagstaff, AZ – DIY Guide for Grades 5-8
Flagstaff, AZ – DIY Guide for Grades 9-12
Tucson, AZ – DIY Guide for Grades 5-12
Activities
| Sensory Map | Use your senses to create a map and learn about your area’s ecology. | Grades 5-8 | Grades 9-12 |
| Home in Nature | Consider human needs and the environment to construct a small home using natural materials. | Grades 5-8 | |
| Interpreting Bird Behavior | Observe bird behavior and hypothesize how their behaviors help them survive. | Grades 5-8 | Grades 9-12 |
| Biodiversity Study | Find evidence of biodiversity in a plot study. | Grades 5-8 | Grades 9-12 |
| Landscape Storytelling | Reflect: If the landscape had a story to tell, what would it say? | Grades 5-8 | Grades 9-12 |
| Tree Observation | Observe and learn about your area’s diverse trees through photography and drawing. | Grades 5-8 | Grades 9-12 |
| Layers of a Forest | Learn about ecosystem layers in a forest through observation and drawing. | Grades 5-8 | Grades 9-12 |
Junior Explorer Handbooks
Highlighting AZ’s diverse ecology, these educational booklets are awesome resources for at-home learning. We want to share them with you and the young people in your lives! The handbooks are available at no cost in English and Spanish.
Receive handbooks in the mail or download digital copies
Share your Seeds of Stewardship Experiences
We love to see what you’re learning and that you’re enjoying the outdoors! After your explorations, be sure to:
- Spread the word! Tell your friends and family about your hike and share what you learned with your teachers.
- Email photos of your experience and activity sheets to Seeds of Stewardship.
- Southern AZ photos go to Treven: treven@aztrail.org
- Northern AZ photos go to Clay: clay@aztrail.org
- Follow us on Instagram. Post your photos and tag @aztsos.
If any questions pop up about the activities, an interesting plant you saw, where to hike, etc, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Treven or Clay at the emails listed above!
