Foothills Speaker Series Presents: ''Javelina'' - Learning About Arizona's Misunderstood Wildlife

Community EventGeneral News ArticleCommunityEducationPress Release

FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 1st, 2025
Foothills Speaker Series Presents: "Javelina" - Learning About Arizona's Misunderstood Wildlife

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The Holland Center and Desert Foothills Land Trust invites the public to learn about their wildlife neighbors at the next Foothills Speaker Series: Javelina, on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Holland Center. This free event will dispel common misconceptions about these Arizona animals and reveal their true nature as social, well-adapted desert dwellers.

"Who are you calling a pig?" asks presenter Jeff Meyers, wildlife biologist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Despite their reputation and pig-like appearance, javelina – also known as Collared Peccaries – are not actually pigs at all.

Javelina are among Arizona's most visible and widely distributed wildlife species, making them a familiar sight to residents and visitors throughout the state. However, their true nature and ecological importance remain largely misunderstood by the public. This informative presentation will explore their fascinating history, complex social behaviors, remarkable desert adaptations, and much more. Meyers will also discuss best practices for coexisting peacefully with javelina in urban and suburban areas.

Whether you’re already a javelina enthusiast, a resident who shares the neighborhood with them, or are just curious about the local wildlife, this presentation promises new insights into these remarkable desert animals.

Event Details:

  • What: Foothills Speaker Series: Javelina
  • Date: Tuesday, January 6th, 6:00 PM
  • Location: Holland Center, 34250 N 60th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85266
  • Admission: Free and open to the public, all ages welcome. Due to limited seating, registration is required.
 
The Foothills Speaker Series is a joint initiative of Desert Foothills Land Trust and Holland Center, offering free educational programming that connects community members with the natural and cultural heritage of their Sonoran Desert home. This ongoing lecture series brings together residents and expert speakers to explore local ecology, cultural history, and outdoor recreation, creating accessible opportunities for lifelong learning and fostering a deeper understanding of the unique Sonoran Desert environment.

For more information about the Foothills Speaker Series and to register for "Javelinas," visit dflt.org/speakerseries.

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 nearly 1,100 acres across 29 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

Foothills Speaker Series Presents: ''Javelina'' - Learning About Arizona's Misunderstood Wildlife