Would you like to meet some scorpions and other “creepy-crawly” critters? Join Ranger Kevin for an evening of summer insect improv! We’re setting up our version of the silver screen in the amphitheater tonight. Once it’s dark, we’ll turn on the spotlight and enjoy the show that unfolds, as all manner of arthropods are drawn...
Get outside this summer with our staff on a family friendly educational hike! On this sunrise hike, learn about our unique collection plants, Sonoran Desert ecology, and meet our resident Sonoran Desert Tortoises. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes, sun protective clothing, and bring plenty of water. Sign up for this free hike at the...
Did you know Arizona actually has five seasons? The thunderstorms of Tucson’s monsoon have the power to transform the Sonoran Desert during Arizona’s fifth season: the wet summer! Monsoon Magic is a mini-nature exhibit where you’ll learn about the wildlife and meteorology of the southwest’s summer rains. Come anytime between 7-9 a.m.! Follow signs for...
Bird enthusiasts join a naturalist for a guided walk appropriate for beginner and advanced birders. Most year-round birds are found in the riparian area next to Oak Creek or along the field behind the Visitor Center. The Audubon Society has designated Red Rock State Park as part of the Lower Oak Creek Important Birding Area...
Join docent Anne Leight for a walk around the preserve to look for and learn about birds. Look for and learn about birds of this desert oasis with seasoned birder, bird bander, and preserve docent Anne Leight on this guided, easy walk. Please bring your own binoculars if you have them, but some are available...
Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters. Visit the historic buildings and corrals and enjoy the special exhibits of the people of Canoa. DIRECTIONS: Historic Canoa Ranch, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley 85622 From Tucson - Take 1-19 south to exit 56 - Canoa Road. Go around the traffic circle until...
Plateau Perspectives: Nature Through Art celebrates the profound and evolving relationship between art, ecology, and the unique landscape of the Colorado Plateau. Set amid the natural beauty of the Arboretum at Flagstaff, this exhibition invites artists to explore and amplify the stories of native plants and ecological processes that define this extraordinary region. The exhibition centers...
Every morning, a volunteer naturalist leads a guided nature walk informing visitors about the different life zones of Red Rock State Park. The subjects discussed on this walk may include geology, wildlife, history, archeology, and plant life. The naturalists welcome questions during the walk, enhancing the learning experience. Hikes are included with park entrance fees...
Explore the healing power of the desert in this hands-on workshop where you’ll learn to craft herbal oil infusions using local plants like chaparral and rosemary, enhanced with therapeutic essential oils. Discover traditional and modern infusion methods, how to choose the right carrier oils, and how to incorporate essential oils for added benefits. Perfect for...
Join our Gardens Manager, Sarah Armanovs for a class on edible weeds found in your own backyard!
Teen Musician Mechanics takes place on Saturdays at 10:00 am in Camp Verde Community Library's Teen Library. TMM will be focused on the nuts-and-bolts side of musical instruments, in a literal sense: repairing, modifying, maintaining, and experimenting. From learning to restring a guitar, to repairing internal wiring, TMM will give newer players agency over their instrument and allow...
oin Cobra Robotics for an all day build-a-thon using FIRST Lego League SPIKE Kits and programming to build, program, and compete in a mini-challenge by the end of the day! Best fit for ages 10-14!
STEAM Time is a pop-up makerspace for kids and teens that provides hands-on opportunities to design, experiment, and invent as they engage in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) through self-guided tinkering. Join us to make, create and play!
We are all Scientists! CMT’s educators lead hands-on experiments designed to inspire a love of science every weekend at Brain Boost. A STEM program designed for whole-family engagement, kids explore science concepts in an interactive setting based on the concept that science is fun, interesting and everywhere! Every Saturday and Sunday at Noon; Saturday Brain...
World Ranger Day is(was) July 31st so we’re celebrating the Rangers by letting them talk about themselves! Come find out a little about Ranger Shaun and what it’s like to be a Ranger. Rangers go some pretty weird places and do some pretty crazy things, and that’s not counting what happens at work! There’s a...
Discover the fascinating world of the saguaro cactus at this presentation-style program with Ranger Jacque! Join us for an hour-long presentation exploring the iconic saguaro cactus, a symbol of the Sonoran Desert. Through images and engaging discussions, we’ll highlight the distinctive features and ecological importance of these remarkable plants, which support numerous desert species. Attendees...
Enjoy a captivating experience at the heart of our mountaintop observatory with our guided daytime tours! Discover the rich history of our unique site, from its origins as a Cold War early warning radar station to its current role as a leading astronomical research facility. Our knowledgeable guides will lead you on a 90-minute walking...
Come by and visit Ranger Kevin to learn about some of the animals native to the Sonoran Desert. Have a picture of a critter, but don’t know what it is? Want to know what you might have seen scurrying across the trail? Drop in on this Discovery Station with Ranger Kevin. There will be objects...
Up to 10 species of hummingbirds use the green corridor of the San Pedro River as a freeway between their tropical winter retreats and their northern nesting grounds. The public is invited to get a close-up look at these tiny travelers as staff and volunteers from the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory capture, band, weigh, measure,...
Beat the heat and explore the outdoors with Reid Park Zoo’s Summer Safari Nights on Friday and Saturday evenings! Come to Summer Safari Nights, presented by TMC Health and enjoy the Zoo in the cooler evening hours! Each week will feature keeper chats, animal encounters, artifact stations, giraffe feedings, carousel rides, crafts and games. Face painting and...
Let’s celebrate incredible insects and amazing arthropods! The Sonoran Desert is a hot spot of insect diversity and this is your chance to meet them. Get a bugs-eye view of many of the million species of arthropods that make the Sonoran Desert their home. Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a local beer and wander,...
Discover what makes southern Arizona, particularly Tucson, so important to the field of Astronomy. Are you looking for a summer science adventure? Come learn more about astronomy and how you...
Join Ranger Kevin for an evening of adventure as we set off in search of scorpions. This is an approximately 2-mile hike along a variety of trails within the Preserve. We’ll be seeking out the three main types of scorpions native to our region. At the same time, we’ll keep our eyes open for other...
Join Ranger Nikki on an evening hike to search for a variety of nocturnal critters. Ranger Nikki will lead you along the trails to seek out scorpions, owls, bats, kangaroo rats, stink bugs and more! The 1.6-mile route starts at Overton Trail in the Nature Center parking lot to make a balloon loop on GO...
Join Ranger Jacque on this guided nighttime adventure to search for scorpions along the trail using UV lights and learn about their unique adaptations. Discover the hidden world of scorpions on this Scorpion Safari! The adventure begins at the Four Peaks trailhead staging area, where restrooms and water fountains are available. The program starts with...
Learn about wildlife of the Sonoran Desert and easy citizen science you can help with on this late afternoon-evening hike with Ranger Eric. Join Ranger Eric to look for scorpions and other nocturnal wildlife on a short hike along the Waterfall Trail. Wildlife may include scorpions, spiders, insects, owls, nightjars, reptiles, and mammals. Please bring...