Check out the fun activities and classes being offered from March through May to extend the celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day all spring long!

March 2023

March 4 - Recycling 101 Class

Location: Rio Vista Recreation Center, starting at 9:30 a.m.
Do you ever look at the trash item in your hand and ask, can I recycle this? Recycling staff will walk you through what items are recycled in Peoria and what items have to stay in the trash. The more we can recycle right in Peoria the more waste we can divert from our landfills! Register for Recycling 101 Class

March 4 - New River Cleanup at Fletcher Heights Trailhead

Location: Deer Valley/Fletcher Heights Trailhead, 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
The New River Cleanups are in their fourth year, with an astounding 33,000 lbs of trash removed to date. Amazing volunteers have generously worked to clean up our New River, making it safer for residents and wildlife alike. If you would like to be part of these efforts, we will be cleaning the New River, from Deer Valley/Fletcher Heights Trailhead on the New River, south toward Beardsley on Saturday, March the 4th, from 8 am to 11 am. Parking for the event will be at the New River Trailhead at Fletcher Heights/Deer Valley and 76th avenue. If there is no parking available at the trailhead, please try to park facing the New River, along and behind the businesses. Clean-up is from 8 am to 11 am. We will begin to collect the bags and walk back to the trailhead around 10:30 am. Register for New River Trail Cleanup Event

March 20-26 is Fix a Leak Week

Did you know that on average 10% of a home’s water use is due to leaks? Finding and fixing leaks will not only save you money, but save our precious water from being wasted. In celebration of Fix a Leak Week, we will have specific information and materials on leak detection and irrigation goof plug kits available at the both Peoria Libraries. Get your free leak kits from the 20th-26th!

March 21 - Thrifty and Magnificent Cactus Class

Location: Rio Vista Recreation Center, 6:00 p.m.
Cacti are experts in not only surviving, but thriving in our deserts. There are many types, shapes, sizes, and oh so many amazing blooms! Some varieties of cactus are even friendly and spineless, if sharp points have been holding you back from adding cactus to your landscape. Our desert horticulture expert will share species and types of cactus that can be thrifty star features in your landscape. Register for Cactus workshop

April 2023

April 1 - Earth Day at Paloma Regional Preserve

This year the theme for Earth Day is "Invest in our Planet". What better way to invest in the planet than to take some time to clean it? Please join us in cleaning the Paloma Regional Preserve, starting at Paloma Community Park, on April 1st, from 8 am to 11 am. Parking for the event will be at Paloma Community Park located at 29799 N Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria, AZ85383. Please follow the signs for Dog Park when you enter Paloma Community Park. Clean-up is from 8 am to 11 am. We will begin to collect the bags and walk back to the trailhead around 10:30 am. Register for Paloma Park Cleanup Event and Awareness Class

April 1 - Designing for the Desert – Landscape Conversions Class

Location: Rio Vista Recreation Center at 9:30 a.m.
Desert landscapes are unique and offer an abundance of different design options. Looking to lower your water use by reducing grass and adding more desert adapted plants? Our landscape architect will talk about xeriscape principals and some tips and ideas for designing your desert and water friendly oasis. Register for Landscape Conversions Class

April 29 - Tree Benefits – How to Protect Your Landscape Trees

Location: Rio Vista Recreation Center, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Urban trees clean air, offer stormwater protection, increase property values, and reduce home energy costs. Trees are a wonderful investment to your property and their value gets higher the longer they live. Protect your tree investment by providing the proper care for our desert region. An arborist and landscape expert will dive into the benefits of trees and how to care for and protect them in your landscape. Register for tree landscaping class

May 2023

May 3 - Irrigation Controller Programming

Location: Rio Vista Recreation Center, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Did you know that your plants’ water needs change monthly, as should your irrigation controller settings? If you are unsure how to adjust or program your irrigation controller, an irrigation and water efficiency expert will cover some basic functions and programing abilities of a typical irrigation controller. Register for irrigation controller programming class