Foothills Speaker Series Kicks Off with a Look at the Toughness of Cacti

 FOR RELEASE September 1st, 2026

Foothills Speaker Series Kicks Off with a Look at the Toughness of Cacti

Dr. Ken Sweat of Arizona State University to present "Story of Cacti" on October 6 at the Holland Center

CAVE CREEK, Ariz. — The Desert Foothills Land Trust (DFLT) and the Holland Center will kick off this year's Foothills Speaker Series with "Story of Cacti," a lecture by Dr. Ken Sweat of Arizona State University. The event takes place Tuesday, October 6, at 6 p.m. at the Holland Center, the first of several talks running through April.

Covered in spines and thriving in some of the harshest environments on Earth, cacti are among nature's most tenacious forms of life. In this talk, Dr. Sweat will explore the adaptations that allow cacti to survive where few other plants can, along with the diversity of form, function, and habitat found across this large family of plants. Attendees will leave with a closer look at the cacti they pass every day in their own backyards.

"Cacti have solved some of the toughest problems in biology: how to find water where there is none, how to survive heat that would kill most other plants, and how to defend themselves in a landscape full of hungry herbivores," said Dr. Sweat. "Once you understand what's happening inside these plants, you look at a saguaro differently."

The Foothills Speaker Series is a joint initiative of DFLT and Holland Center, offering free educational programming that brings residents together with expert speakers to explore the Sonoran Desert's ecology and cultural history. The series runs annually from October through April, with additional speakers and topics to be announced throughout the season.

"Desert Foothills Land Trust has been protecting this landscape for the past 35 years," said Raena Kamakahi, President and CEO of DFLT. "But it's not enough for the land to be preserved — people need to understand why it's worth saving. We want our community coming to the Speaker Series and walking away a little more connected to where they live."

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required due to limited seating. To learn more and register, visit dflt.org/speakerseries.

Event Details:

·       What: Foothills Speaker Series: Story of Cacti

·       When: Tuesday, October 6th, 6:00 p.m.

·       Where: Holland Center, 34250 N 60th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85266

·       Register: Free and open to the public, registration is required. Visit dflt.org/speakerseries to learn more and register.

The Holland Center enriches the Desert Foothills community by celebrating arts and culture, treasuring our desert environment, assisting those in need, and encouraging lifelong learning. The Center provides support, opportunity, and connection for area residents through diverse programs including intriguing classes, fine arts exhibits, community theatre, and more. Through these offerings, the Holland Center aims to foster a vibrant, engaged community in the Desert Foothills area.

Desert Foothills Land Trust connects people to nature by working with communities and partners to conserve and steward sensitive lands and species for the survival of our Sonoran Desert. Operating in communities across the North Valley, this nonprofit has conserved 1,100 acres across 31 preserves, many open for public exploration. Re-accredited in 2022 by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, the organization continues its vital work protecting the region's unique desert landscapes, balancing conservation with community needs in rapidly developing areas.

Media Contact:

Rachel Stringham, Director of Community Engagement, Desert Foothills Land Trust

rstringham@dflt.org, 480-488-6131 x 201