1. To Start:

From the pool of cars you shall go

In hopes to see the water flow

Facing south, then up the hill

A red pump stands alone and still

For reflection: Even in the Sonoran Desert, all living things need water to survive. This includes plants, animals, and of course, humans. The water pump before you represents one of the ways that humans have been able to obtain water for drinking and other purposes. Can you think of any ways that animals and plants might obtain water for their survival?

2. Your Quest Begins:

Away from the pump, a giant snake leads

Near the tail you stop, the next verse you should heed

Branch right at the Y, and left on the gravel

Across the stream and then left, to the sun you shall travel

For reflection: The sun makes water flow around the Earth. The heat of the sun evaporates the Earth's water, and sends it towards the sky through a process known as evaporation. Then, as water droplets form into clouds, the Earth's water becomes too heavy to stay in the sky and falls back to the ground in the form of precipitation (rain). Did you know that water also exists underground? Water to percolates, or soaks through the ground where it then collects in large pools known as aquifers.

3. Back Down to Earth:

Back through planets you'll go, at your own free will

Then hang a left at Jupiter, once down the hill

See the Heron's gate, and follow it through

Cross the wash then stop, underneath a green hue

For reflection: It may not seem like it, but Arizona has many rivers and streams. We just fail to notice them because they stay dry most of the year. We usually call these dried up waterways washes. When it rains in the desert, these washes fill up with water, and send it to larger rivers and streams downhill. This prevents the desert from flooding, while at the same time creating an environment for plants and animals to live. Did you notice the wide variety of plants along the banks of the wash you just crossed? Do you happen to see or hear any animals or insects in this area?

4. Water for Everyone:

With the wash on your left, when you come back around

You will see a big T, spelled out on the ground

To the right, up the hill, gates where water may gush

Take a break if you need, have a drink or a flush

For reflection: You may have noticed a strange silver structure with pipes sticking out of it marked "POND 1", "POND 2", and so on. This is the water distribution center for the Gilbert Riparian Preserve. Wastewater from the Town of Gilbert flows to a water treatment plant close by, where it is cleaned and sent to the structure you see before you. There are 7 ponds in the preserve, but sometimes not enough water to fill them all. The gates in the water distribution center allow the water we do receive to be sent into each pond in order to create environments for plants, birds, fish, and other animals to survive in. This just goes to show that every living thing depends on water, and this water must be evenly shared by everyone.

5. Meandering Marsh:

Between ponds 7 and 1, a new path's left ajar

A meandering marsh, and the end's not too far

Around the bend two trees mark a clearing on the side

Can you spot a perch for the birds to reside?

For reflection: Just as many of us like to cool off in the swimming pool during the summer heat, trees and plants like to keep cool in the same way. Trees such as willows and cottonwoods, and plants such as cattails, all live close to ponds and streams in order to give their roots easy access to water. This creates an area called a marsh, where plants live close to, or in water. Marshes are great places for animals to keep cool as well. Can you think of any animals that might live in a marsh?

6. Nature's Water Tanks:

After the marsh, down second long curve

See two hawks guard, and the trail's left swerve

Know more about water, you will by tomorrow

One last place to see, near the giant saguaro

For reflection: The saguaro cactus is a plant that lives only in southern Arizona and northern Mexico. Like everything in the desert it is just trying to survive. The spines you see on the cactus protect the most important part of the plant, the inside. You can think of a saguaro as a living water tank. When it rains, the saguaro soaks up water from the ground, and stores it inside of its body. During long periods of dry weather, the saguaro uses the water it has stored inside of itself, to stay hydrated and keep cool. Other types of cacti survive the same way. Do you see any other cacti near the saguaros?

7. One Last Clue:

Some dinos on the left, they drank water too

Now saving water is all up to you

Not too much farther, and look to your right

The place where you started should now be in sight!

For reflection: Congratulations on completing the Gilbert Riparian Preserve Nature Quest! Remember these important facts…

· Water is important for all living things in the desert to survive, plants and animals alike!

· The Sun moves water around our Earth through evaporation and precipitation (rain).

· Though it does not look like it, Arizona has many rivers and streams. They just stay dry until rain floods over the desert!

· Just like the ponds at the preserve must share water, plants, animals, and humans must share water in the same way. Everyone deserves to have a fair share!

· Certain trees and plants like to live cool in places called marshes. These marshes are home to many different types of animals.

· Saguaros and other cacti store water in their own unique way. Like every living thing, they have found their own special way to keep cool!

· Most importantly, water is one of the most important things on Earth! Do your part to save water!