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Explore the fundamentals of exploring the great outdoors! Campers will learn the leave no trace principles, desert animal identification, basic first aid, and of course, how to make SMORE'S! ...
$98
35 events found.
Field Sciences
Events
Calendar of Events
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6 events,
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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...
Free with Park Fee
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Interact with some of our special animals, which for many people is a once in a lifetime experience. Guests will get to learn about endangered species, how we contribute to conservation of those animals, some of the considerations we must take into consideration when having these reptiles in Arizona, which reptiles are good pets for children or adults, adaptations...
Free – $25
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8 events,
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Trip duration: 2 hours, Ground condition: Paved/concrete, Benches available; some shaded seating available Join Marcia OBara for an outing designed for nature lovers with or without accessibility challenges; wheelchairs, walkers, or other assistive devices are welcome. On this trip, we will gather at one of Southern Arizona’s birding gems: Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon!...
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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...
Free with Park Fee
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Come explore the Children’s Garden every Tuesday and Thursday morning! Water the plants, discover vibrant flowers, observe buzzing insects, and check out the veggies and herbs—there’s always something new to see and learn!
Free with Admission
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6 events,
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Trip difficulty: Easy; Walking distance: ~1 mile, Trip Duration: 2.5 hrs, Elevation gain: none, but with chance of slight inclines/declines; Ground condition: groomed gravel trails. Drinking water and restrooms available at park’s entrance. Benches available at periodic intervals around the Wetlands. This popular birding hotspot in urban Tucson offers an easy walk through marshes created...
Free – $5
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Visit Agua Caliente Park, a birding hotspot in Pima County. Explore the ponds, mesquite bosque, and surrounding desert of Agua Caliente Park in search of its rich bird life. DIRECTIONS: Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road 85749 From Tucson - Take Tanque Verde Road east past Houghton Road to Soldiers Trail Road. Turn left...
Free
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October through April we are open to the public from 10am until 1pm. Our admission is $10 per adult (18+) and $5 per student (under 18). Children 4 and under are free. We will have daily programs and presentations that will be advertised in the lobby upon your arrival for a different experience each visit.
Free – $10
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3 events,
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Mysteries of the Unseen World reveals the hidden wonders all around us—too fast, too slow, or too small for the naked eye. Stunning visuals and cutting-edge science uncover a mind-blowing world you’ve never seen before. Audience: General, all ages Style: IMAX film adapted for planetarium + live star talk All-Inclusive Planetarium Show Tickets...
Free – $27
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Presented by Francisco Apen (Assistant Professor, School of Earth and Sustainability, NAU) This year's colloquium series will consist of a mixture of researchers across the University of Arizona along with visiting scientists as well! The colloquium series will be conducted in the Gould-Simpson “Fishbowl” (2nd floor) from 4-5PM on Thursdays. There will be a Zoom option...
Free
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Join Ranger Derik on a nighttime hike into the White Tank mountains Starting from the Goat camp trailhead the hike will cover 3 miles round trip on steep rocky trail and gaining 800ft of elevation gain. As you hike up into the mountains you will get sweeping views of the Phoenix valley and a night...
Free with Park Fee
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12 events,
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Join a naturalist for a guided hike along Brown Mountain in Tucson Mountain Park. Explore the natural history of the Brown Mountain area at the western edge of Tucson Mountain Park. Hike among Saguaros to get a closer look at the interesting and diverse flora and fauna that helps make the Sonoran Desert so unique....
Free
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Arivaca Lake is an amazing location for fall migration and we’ll be hitting it at a time when there are so many possibilities. This can be a great spot for Painted Bunting this time of year, so we’ll be sure to check for that, while also looking for a wide array of species such as...
$35 – $50
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Join this Desert Defenders event to help make seed pellets using native seeds that will later be used to improve the health of our desert ecosystem. Estrella Mountain Regional Park October 3 8 am – 11:30 am Meet at the Nature Center. Participants will learn to make pellets by mixing native seeds with clay, soil/compost,...
Free with Park Fee
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22 events,
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Are you new to birding and looking to learn some of the basics? Then this field workshop is for you! We’ll cover topics like how to use binoculars, finding birds, identifying birds by sight and sound, bird behavior, birding apps, and using field guides. The entire workshop will be conducted outside on a short walk...
$35 – $50
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We will partially walk the old front 9 of this abandoned 200-acre golf course that has been turned into a Nature Preserve. While the number of bird species doesn’t usually exceed 25, they are plentiful. Driving directions: From Dove Mountain Road, take Tangerine Rd. east for 7 miles, turn left (north) on Rancho Vistoso Blvd.,...
Free – $5
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Join Ranger Kevin for an introduction to birding in one of Arizona's premiere birding locations. Enjoy a roughly 2-mile walk on the Palm Lake, Mesquite Meander, Lions, and Willow Walkway trails. We’ll cover birding basics, from tools and equipment to bird identification tips and strategies. Trails are rated easy, although thick sand is possible in...
Free with Park Fee
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14 events,
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October is peak fall migration activity at Sweetwater Wetlands! Fall migration is regarded by many birders as the best time of year given it is longer than spring migration, birds tend to linger longer at stop over sites, the overall volume of birds is much higher, and the chance of rare/ unusual birds is greater....
$35 – $50
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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...
Free with Park Fee
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Join us for a stroll along the Santa Cruz River to discover the seasonal rhythm of the desert. Phenology is nature’s calendar – the timing of annual life-cycle events that are influenced by climate and weather, like blooming, migration, and nesting. Join us for a stroll along the Santa Cruz River as we gather data...
Free
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8 events,
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Explore the fundamentals of exploring the great outdoors! Campers will learn the leave no trace principles, desert animal identification, basic first aid, and of course, how to make SMORE'S! All Riparian Preserve camps include a morning hike/activity in the Preserve each day. Ages 6 - 8 Oct 6, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025 Weekdays...
$98
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Come have fun exploring our parks with the Town of Gilbert Park Rangers! Junior Ranger Cadets will learn exciting facts about nature, wildlife and history. Cadets will explore ways to protect our parks, playgrounds, and trails. Junior Rangers will leave empowered and prepared to navigate their environment utilizing the information they absorb throughout this program....
$55
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Do you love herpetology? Spend the day with us learning about all of the different species of reptiles! Get up close and personal with crocodilians, snakes, lizards, turtles/tortoises and more! Reptile Day camp will focus on ALL types of reptiles such as crocodilians, lizards, snakes, turtles/tortoises and even some amphibians! Day camp will use a...
$75
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14 events,
-
Join Marcia OBara for a leisurely birding experience designed for nature lovers with accessibility challenges; wheelchairs, walkers, or other assistive devices are welcome. The pace is slow, distance short, and terrain even. This month’s birding explores the birding hotspot of historic Canoa Ranch where we hope to see waterfowl, raptors, sparrows, and a lot more....
Free
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We’ve birded a short segment of the golf course here for many years. But this walk will be different. The course will be closed to golfers for annual fall reseeding on these dates. Woo-hoo! We will bird a much longer stretch of the course than usual using the cart paths while visiting all three ponds...
Free – $5
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We’ll circumnavigate the park with one side trip to the Santa Cruz River through an artistic tunnel. Part of the walk will be on The Loop so we’ll need to stay to one side to avoid the heavy bicycle traffic on the path. We’ll meet near the entrance to the dog park on the Silverbell...
Free – $5
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9 events,
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Trip difficulty: Easy; Walking distance: ~1 mile, Trip Duration: 2.5 hrs, Elevation gain: none, but with chance of slight inclines/declines; Ground condition: groomed gravel trails. Drinking water and restrooms available at park’s entrance. Benches available at periodic intervals around the Wetlands. This popular birding hotspot in urban Tucson offers an easy walk through marshes created...
Free – $5
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This bird walk is all about enjoying nature and birds. It’s about walking slow, being mindful and looking for birds and then spending time truly watching their behaviors. It’s not...
Free – $5
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Learn about the resident and migrant birds of desert riparian areas on this guided walk with Ranger Eric. Join Ranger Eric for a guided bird walk to look and listen for resident and migrant species within the diverse desert riparian habitat of the Hassayampa River Preserve. Along the way we will discuss how to identify...
Free with Park Fee
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15 events,Discover and explore the spectacular world of birding. Learn about field guides, field trips, bird identification, birding optics, birding organizations, and bird apps. Connect with other individuals and help grow the birding community.
$14 – $19
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Join Ranger Nikki on an easy/moderate terrain hike to see plant life that may have been invigorated by any monsoon rains. Join Ranger Nikki on an easy-paced hike to observe cacti, shrubs and any flowering plants that may have popped up if we were treated to monsoon rains. If conditions are right, we could see...
Free with Park Fee
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Do you like tiny geckos and huge iguanas? What about legless lizards? Spend the day with lizards of all shapes and sizes in Lizard Day Camp! Lizards are such a neat group of reptiles! This day camp will take a look at geckos, monitors, iguanas and other types of lizards from around the world. Lizard...
$75
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Do you love feeding and interacting with reptiles? Sign up for this half-day camp to act like a volunteer with activities, interactions, and real animal care opportunities! The Keeper Program is designed to give children too young to participate in our Adult Volunteer Program a chance to learn and work at PHS. Each day is three...
$50
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14 events,
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Join Ranger Nikki on an easy/moderate terrain hike to see plant life that may have been invigorated by any monsoon rains and butterflies searching for food. Ranger Nikki will lead you on a hike to look for blooming vegetation and pollinators such as butterflies, beetles and bees that may be visiting flowers. Learn how to...
Free with Park Fee
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For out-of-town visitors and those new to the Sonoran Desert, Tohono Chul’s easy-walking trails and beautiful gardens provide close-up looks at many of the typical birds of the Sonoran Desert. Of the more than 500 bird species that spend time in Arizona during the year, 140 are known to have visited Tohono Chul, and on...
Free – $5
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Explore a 2-to-3-mile section of the Anza Trail during an easy, level interpretive hike. Learn about the cultural and natural history of the Santa Cruz Valley. Travel on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail to the area of La Canoa where the expedition to found San Francisco camped after leaving Tubac Presidio in...
$5
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26 events,
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Explore birds/bird life with Tom Locascio. The Park has a wide range of habitats. You will encounter some of the best birding in the valley! Beginner birders and longtime enthusiasts will enjoy this opportunity to spot and identify many species. Bring close toed shoes, water and a snack. An indoor Presentation follows the hike. Join...
Free with Park Fee
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We’ll walk a little over ½ mile up the flowing Santa Cruz River deep in the agricultural fields of Marana. The walking is open because the cattle have tramped down the brush and have created paths to follow. The trails are lumpy and littered with cow pies. Santa Cruz River at Trico Rd (Oit Par...
Free – $5
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Join Marcia OBara for a leisurely birding experience designed for nature lovers with accessibility challenges; wheelchairs, walkers, or other assistive devices are welcome. The pace is slow, distance short, and terrain even. This month’s birding explores the birding hotspot of Agua Caliente Park where we hope to see waterfowl, raptors, sparrows, and a lot more....
Free
|
9 events,
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Plants have been used as medicine for hundreds, if not thousands of years. They are part of the history and lore of almost every society on earth. Join us to learn how these plants—from the Sonoran Desert and elsewhere--have been traditionally used to treat different ailments, diseases and other conditions.
Free
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October through April we are open to the public from 10am until 1pm. Our admission is $10 per adult (18+) and $5 per student (under 18). Children 4 and under are free. We will have daily programs and presentations that will be advertised in the lobby upon your arrival for a different experience each visit.
Free – $10
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A guided tour includes a Liberty Wildlife guide to walk you around the public areas of our facility. You will learn more about our organization’s history, our non-Eagle Feather Repository, information about our hospital as well as some of the Education Ambassadors in our program. Each Wed, Sat and Sun from October through April we will have...
$15
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3 events,
-
Are you mammal obsessed? This is the tour for you! Our Private Mammal Tour is a great option to meet some of our furry friends, watch feeding demonstrations, and learn more about the mammal residents at PHS! Your VIP-Inspired Experience Includes: Capybara interaction for the group. Meet, pet, and feed our adorable capybara "Spud"! Opossum interaction...
$350
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Create a literary bat character, make a silly cat craft, and more! Feeling brave? Reach into our spooky "touch and feel" mystery boxes. What feels like gross eyeballs or warts might just be something from the pantry! Costumes are encouraged, so come for some seasonal family fun. Program is for ages 6 to 12.
Free
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12 events,
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We’ll be exploring these uplands for their birdlife while walking on roads and trails here. Bring comfortable hiking shoes, day pack, water and snacks/lunch, sun protection. Walking stick might be useful. No restroom facilities after the trailhead. Sunrise: 6:26AM Directions: final meeting instructions by email. Leader: Tim Helentjaris ([email protected]) Registration fee: $35/member, $50/non-member* Trip Difficulty:...
$35 – $50
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Dear Birders, I look forward to another birding field trip at Himmel Park, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd. on Tuesday, October 14th at 7:00 am. Himmel Park is located on the east side of Tucson Boulevard, half a block south of Speedway Boulevard. We will meet in front of the wildlife mural. You can’t miss it!...
Free – $5
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Interested in learning the basics of kayaking? This introductory class will give you the knowledge you need to get started with confidence. Class includes time practicing on the water at Lake Pleasant. This is a hands-on KAYAK class at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. There will be a "classroom" session followed by putting theory into practice--actually...
$15
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14 events,
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This popular birding hotspot in urban Tucson offers an easy walk through marshes created by Tucson Water to see waterfowl, regular and visiting warblers, and several exciting species hiding in the reeds. Birders of all experience levels welcome! The Wetlands are located at 2511 W Sweetwater Drive. Limited to 12 participants per group. Leaders: Donito...
Free – $5
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Join us for a 90-minute walk around the Phoenix Zoo where we will learn the basics of photography including composition, lighting and capturing emotion. On our walk, we will cover how to photograph through fences, glass and foliage in addition to learning more about the Phoenix Zoo and the natural world. At the end of...
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October through April we are open to the public from 10am until 1pm. Our admission is $10 per adult (18+) and $5 per student (under 18). Children 4 and under are free. We will have daily programs and presentations that will be advertised in the lobby upon your arrival for a different experience each visit.
Free – $10
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18 events,
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Join a naturalist-guided walk along Big Wash in Oro Valley, on an easy- to moderate-level trail. In addition to great views of the Santa Catalina Mountains, this area is designated an important wildlife corridor, so we’ll keep an eye out for native birds such as Gila woodpeckers and cactus wrens, and other desert wildlife Trekking...
Free
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Spend the morning hiking through cactus covered hills and learn about the ecology of the Sonoran Desert with Ranger Derik. The hike will cover 3 miles out and back along the State trail on relatively flat trail with a few short rocky sections. Hikers should bring 1-2 liters of water and come prepared for the...
Free with Park Fee
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Join Ranger Kevin for an informative hike about the history and significance of this vital desert river. The Gila River has a storied past, a tenuous present, and perhaps a hopeful future. We’ll discuss the importance of rivers like the Gila to the health and diversity of desert life as we explore the riparian habitat...
Free with Park Fee
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14 events,
-
Join us as we explore Splendido’s diverse birdlife on a guided walk. Discover colorful songbirds and hummingbirds, and engage in insightful discussions about bird behavior and conservation. We’ll conclude with a delightful light brunch at Splendido, reflecting on the birds we saw and the time we spent together. Join us for an enriching and memorable birding...
Free – $5
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Join Marcia OBara for a leisurely birding experience designed for nature lovers with accessibility challenges; wheelchairs, walkers, or other assistive devices are welcome. The pace is slow, distance short, and terrain even. This month’s birding explores the birding hotspot of historic Canoa Ranch where we hope to see waterfowl, raptors, sparrows, and a lot more....
Free
-
Students will become paleontologists. Students will learn about fossils, dinosaurs, rocks and so much more. Students will learn through read-aloud's, dino digs, the study of fossils/rocks, and projects/crafts. A $28.00 materials fee will be due to the instructor on the first class date, 10/17. Ages 4 - 6 Oct 17, 2025 - Dec 12,...
$45
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29 events,
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We will walk a route that navigates habitats not normally visited at Danny Lopez Park (formerly Columbus Park) along with touching the traditional spots. This is not an easy ¾ mile walk around Silverbell Lake, but a 1.75-mile trek over some uneven terrain. There are bathrooms, benches, shade, and water but we will only occasionally be near them. ...
Free – $5
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Would you like to be more knowledgeable about the animals, plants and landscape of our desert? This two-day survey course covers desert ecology, desert adaptations, climate, mammals, birds, reptiles, venomous animals, botany, geology and ethnobotany. We also touch on current threats to our desert such as invasive species, water and climate change issues, endangered species...
$140 – $155
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This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive. Restrooms and water are available...
Free
|
8 events,
-
Join Alex Patia on this inclusive outing that welcomes LGBTQIA+ birders, allies, and anyone interested in connecting with nature in a supportive community setting. On this field trip we will explore one of Tucson’s best birding sites: Sweetwater Wetlands. We’ll take our time enjoying all the birds and wildlife including ducks, songbirds, reptiles, insects, and...
Free – $5
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Join us for a stroll along the Santa Cruz River to discover the seasonal rhythm of the desert. Phenology is nature’s calendar – the timing of annual life-cycle events that are influenced by climate and weather, like blooming, migration, and nesting. Join us for a stroll along the Santa Cruz River as we gather data...
Free
-
Landscaping in the 21st Century in the desert can be challenging, but this tour demonstrates how you can have a water-wise, low-maintenance but beautiful yard and garden. We will focus on the plantings right around the Old Main Building, UA’s oldest and most historic building. After you register you will receive a confirmation email with detailed...
Free
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9 events,
-
Join Marcia OBara for an outing designed for nature lovers with or without accessibility challenges; wheelchairs, walkers, or other assistive devices are welcome. On this trip, we will gather at one of Southern Arizona’s birding gems: Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon! Here, we’ll watch for hummingbirds, migrating orioles, and an abundance of other species....
Free – $5
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Dig in, de-stress, and grow something beautiful with our hands-on gardening program for adults! Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or just curious about starting your first herb pot, this outdoor program offers practical gardening skills in a relaxed, social setting.
Free
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Welcome elementary-age homeschoolers and their adults. We will have Project Archaeology Part II this month. No registration required.
Free
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19 events,
-
Spend the morning hiking through the desert with Ranger Jacque and learn about the many medicinal and edible plants that can be found in your own backyard. Participants will hike for 3 miles through rolling hills and sandy washes on the North Loop trail. The trail is rated as easy and only has a few...
Free with Park Fee
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Pack up the tent for an (imaginary) adventure in the great outdoors. Find inspiration from illustrations, photos and paintings of harvest season and starry skies. Experiment with found objects, recyclables and fun painting tools. Adult participation is required. Up to two registered children per adult. All children must be registered to be present in...
$30
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Desert Foothills Land Trust presents a beginner-friendly hike at The Caroline Bartol Preserve at Saguaro Hill (at Desert Foothills Library). This easy one-mile walk introduces hiking basics while exploring native desert flora and fauna. Perfect for newcomers seeking to discover the wonders of our local desert. Meet at the Waterfall Terrace at Desert Foothills Library...
Free
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16 events,
-
Trip difficulty: Easy; Walking distance: ~1 mile, Trip Duration: 2.5 hrs, Elevation gain: none, but with chance of slight inclines/declines; Ground condition: groomed gravel trails. Drinking water and restrooms available at park’s entrance. Benches available at periodic intervals around the Wetlands. This popular birding hotspot in urban Tucson offers an easy walk through marshes created...
Free – $5
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Join Ranger Jacque for a scenic walk, where we'll uncover the secrets of the mighty saguaro and its place in the desert ecosystem. Experience the beauty of the desert on this saguaro walk! This 1.5-mile loop walk along the Black Rock Trail offers the perfect setting to learn about the towering saguaros and the wildlife...
Free with Park Fee
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Join Tucson Bird Alliance for a garden bird walk at Tohono Chul! This popular destination near the intersection of Ina and Oracle Roads has cultivated gardens, art exhibits and winding trails with many typical birds of the Sonoran Desert and its suburban habitats. Hummingbirds, in particular, flock to the gardens to enjoy the abundance of flowers....
Free
|
11 events,
-
Join us on a half mile 90-minute walk on the Jane Rau trail where we will talk about the people and events that shaped the history of the Brown’s Ranch area. We will discuss the Indigenous people who lived here, the role of the military in the region, the ranching history of the region and...
Free
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Homeschool students can join Ranger Nikki to learn how to identify common desert birds and their homes with an indoor classroom discussion and an outdoor birdwatching walk. Fall weather is a great time to get outside and enjoy observing our feathered friends. Ranger Nikki will introduce students to some common bird species that can be...
Free with Park Fee
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17 events,
-
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy to moderate hike to learn about the fascinating plant life in our Sonoran Desert. Join Ranger Nikki on a hike to learn about desert plants, shrubs and legume trees including bursage, palo verde and creosote and any monsoon vegetation that may be flourishing. The route uses Blevins, Spillway, Levee...
Free with Park Fee
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Moderate level hike. Revisit three hundred years of European-Native American contacts and conflicts, from Coronado to the Alamo (1540-1850). Join an expert Archaeologist and Historic Preservationist for about 3 hours covering 4 miles. Restrooms available at the trailhead but no water. Bring water and snacks for the trail. No dogs please. Arrive 15 minutes before...
Free
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Join us for Homeschool Day at Boyce Thompson Arboretum and dive into the science of food chains and food webs by finding out what different animals ate for dinner! Through...
$9 – $12
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21 events,
-
Join Park Volunteer Tom Locascio for a morning walk followed by an informational program in the Nature Center about the birds of White Tank Mountain Regional Park! Join experienced birder...
Free with Park Fee
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Rio Vista Park is one of two Natural Resource Parks within the City of Tucson. Nearly 80% of the park is undeveloped with open scrub the predominant vegetation, as well as some densely vegetated areas. The remainder is recreation area. The entire park has opportunities for seeing a variety of birds, from hawks, to flycatchers,...
Free – $5
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Celebrate Birdability Week with us on a welcoming and inclusive bird walk at Ft. Lowell Park! This beautiful urban park offers paved pathways, accessible restrooms, and excellent opportunities to enjoy birds up close—making it a perfect location for birders of all abilities. As we explore the park’s pond, mature trees, and grassy open spaces, we’ll look for year-round...
Free – $5
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9 events,
-
This will be a "moderate" difficulty-level two mile hike through the Papago Preserve. The ranger guiding the hike will teach you about flora, fauna, and geological features of the southwest desert. The hike will start at 8:00am on Sunday, October 26th. Come prepared with weather-appropriate clothing, plenty of water, and closed-toe shoes. Parking/meeting note: We will...
Free
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This Nature Conservancy property and trail system provides access to a mixed habitat of primarily riparian area, with a free-flowing creek as a boundary. Woodland areas of Fremont cottonwood, ash, and netleaf hackberry alternate with grassland areas, mesquite bosque, and wetland portions. This diverse habitat provides the opportunity to search for a wide variety of...
$35 – $50
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What do plants have to do with the history of the University of Arizona? Everything. This tour traces the story of Arizona’s oldest university from its beginning in the 1890’s to the present through its trees—and what a story they have to tell! After you register you will receive a confirmation email with detailed information...
Free
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3 events,
-
Are you mammal obsessed? This is the tour for you! Our Private Mammal Tour is a great option to meet some of our furry friends, watch feeding demonstrations, and learn more about the mammal residents at PHS! Your VIP-Inspired Experience Includes: Capybara interaction for the group. Meet, pet, and feed our adorable capybara "Spud"! Opossum interaction...
$350
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Join us for a frightfully fun week of spooky activities! In this special Storytime we'll be reading I'm NOT Scary by Raahat Kaduji and creating our own spooky (and not so spooky) bat friends. It's going to be BAT-tastic!
Free
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Join a Pima County Conservation Lands and Resources naturalist online via Zoom for a monthly look at amphibians and reptiles. There are many frogs around the world that are known as tree frogs. This month we explore North America’s tree frogs, members of the Hylidae. They can be very colorful, and some don’t spend much...
Free
|
7 events,
-
Are you new to birding? Need help getting started? Birding is a great way to get outside to explore nature, learn more about wildlife and wildlife behavior, hone your observation skills, reduce stress, and connect with others. Join a Pima County naturalist for a casual birding experience to familiarize yourself with birding basics. Loaner binoculars...
Free
-
Are you mammal obsessed? This is the tour for you! Our Private Mammal Tour is a great option to meet some of our furry friends, watch feeding demonstrations, and learn more about the mammal residents at PHS! Your VIP-Inspired Experience Includes: Capybara interaction for the group. Meet, pet, and feed our adorable capybara "Spud"! Opossum interaction...
$350
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Come build something fun with LEGOs and other kids! For all ages students, kids under 5 must be supervised by their parents. Free, LEGOs provided, leave your own Legos at home.
Free
|
8 events,
-
Trip difficulty: Easy; Walking distance: ~1 mile, Trip Duration: 2.5 hrs, Elevation gain: none, but with chance of slight inclines/declines; Ground condition: groomed gravel trails. Drinking water and restrooms available at park’s entrance. Benches available at periodic intervals around the Wetlands. This popular birding hotspot in urban Tucson offers an easy walk through marshes created...
Free – $5
-
October through April we are open to the public from 10am until 1pm. Our admission is $10 per adult (18+) and $5 per student (under 18). Children 4 and under are free. We will have daily programs and presentations that will be advertised in the lobby upon your arrival for a different experience each visit.
Free – $10
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Let's walk the lovely Scenic trail and have a look at the local ecosystem. We'll examine and identify plants and animals we see (or try to, at least) and talk about how they interact to make our desert unique. This roughly 4-mile medium difficultly hike will take us down the aptly named Scenic trail which...
Free with Park Fee
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9 events,
-
When you think about Halloween, it’s normal to think of spooky and scary symbols like spiders, spider webs, and bats. But if you learn a little more about these creatures in the Sonoran Desert, you may discover that there is not much to be afraid of! So, join us while we turn Halloween on its...
Free
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Join this Desert Defenders event to help spread native seeds and improve the health of our desert ecosystem. Cave Creek Regional Park October 30, 2025 8 am – 11:00 am Meet at the Nature Center. It is time to toss our seed pellets! Join us! We will fling native seed pellets created early this year...
Free with Park Fee
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Join Ranger Kevin for a leisurely morning paddle up Castle Creek. Looking to get out on the water, but don’t want to do it alone? Just want to spend some quality paddle time on the lake? We’ve got just the thing! Sign up for this morning kayak excursion on Lake Pleasant. We’ll begin at Castle...
Free with Park Fee
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10 events,
-
The Devil’s Playground: Exploring a Crazy Landscape October 31, 2025 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm MST Instructor: Christa Sadler Petrified Forest National Park is one of the most interesting landscapes in the world. Geologically, the deposits of petrified wood and colored rocks tell an incredible story of this region more than 200 million years ago. Ancient peoples have called this...
$150 – $185
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Learn about the incredible plants and animals of our Sonoran Desert during this hike with Ranger Nikki. Ranger Nikki will point out a variety of plants, cacti, birds, lizards and more as you learn how these organisms adapt and survive in our extreme desert climate. We will also visit some of the tallest saguaros in...
Free with Park Fee
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Join this Desert Defenders event to help spread native seeds and improve the health of our desert ecosystem October 31 8 am – 11:00 am Meet at the Nature Center. It is time to toss our seed pellets! Join us! We will fling native seed pellets created early this year into the desert of Maricopa...
Free with Park Fee
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19 events,
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Blue Forest Fossil Survey November 1, 2025 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm MST Instructor: Christa Sadler Our adventure through time begins after briefly meeting at the Painted Desert Visitor Center and then caravanning into the heart of the park. From there we’ll hike into an area rich in fossil diversity, along the way discussing why the Triassic Period, particularly the...
$150 – $185
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Join this Desert Defenders event to help spread native seeds and improve the health of our desert ecosystem November 1, 2025 8 am – 11:00 am Meet at the Nature Center It is time to toss our seed pellets! Join us! We will fling native seed pellets created early this year into the desert of...
Free with Park Fee
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It’s time again for the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation annual 100-mile trail challenge! November 1 is the official start date so take the first steps to your goal on a guided hike with Ranger Nikki. The route is 5.5 miles on the easy to moderate terrain of San Tan and Hedgehog Trails, but you...
Free with PaFeerk
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9 events,
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In the Land of Color: An Exploration of Petrified Forest’s Wilderness Loop Through the Black Forest November 2, 2025 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm MST Instructor: Christa Sadler Petrified Forest National Park is known as one of the best records of Late Triassic paleontology and geology in the world; important new finds are being made regularly here. But the thing...
$150 – $185
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Join our bird experts on this 2-hour walk for a good chance to see some of our year-round bird residents such as: cactus wren, Gila woodpecker, ladder-backed woodpecker, Harris’s hawk, verdin or Say’s phoebe – as well as some seasonal arrivals. Restrooms available at the trailhead, but no water. Bring water and snacks for the...
Free
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Do you think you have an eye for photography? Do you wish you could get special access to the grounds and animals for photos? If so, this Photography Tour is just the thing for you! In the morning, an hour before the park opens, Bring your best camera and get some amazing behind-the-scenes photos of...
$35.00
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