June 14, 2025
Eat Mesquite! Desert Foraging Class
Chandler Nature Center • 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd. Chandler, AZ 85249 Organized by City of Chandler Parks and Recreation
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About this event
Description
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Our desert enviroment is rich with diverse plants and trees with edible components. In this interactive class, learn about the different types of mesquite trees that grow in our community, and how to harvest their sweet beans sustainably.
The adventure begins with a short walk through Veterans Oasis Park where you will learn to identify and harvest the beans. Then you'll move to the Chandler Nature Center classroom, where you'll get hands-on experience making flour from the beans and taste mesquite flour and tea. In partnership with City of Chandler Urban Forestry, Master Gardener and Desert Forager Kelly Athena (aka Cactus Kelly) will lead the class.
Please wear closed-toe walking shoes, sunscreen, and a hat, and bring plenty of water. A cloth bag to carry your harvested beans and garden gloves are recommended.
Kelly Athena is a Sonoran Desert forager, Master Gardener, and educator. She teaches foraging classes at the Desert Botanical Garden. Kelly hosts several classes on local plants including mesquite, palo verde, ironwood, prickly pear, barrel cactus, and sacred saguaro. Most of her foraging (harvesting from plants you did not plant and tend yourself) is done from neighborhood yards with permission.
Participants should bring:• Gloves• Reusable Bag• Notebook & Pen• Water• Hand Pruners(optional)
Activity Category
Outdoor Discovery
Location
Painted Desert Classroom
Age and Gender
Co-Ed