First Saturday of the month, 8-9am At Mission Garden’s Michael Moore Medicinal Garden $10, Spots limited: Sign up & purchase link coming soon Herbalist Donna Chesner leads this walk in Mission Garden's Michael Moore Medicinal Garden. Learn about herbs native to the greater Southwest Deserts, many of them local to our area, and the way herbalists...
Look for desert and migratory birds with Ranger Eric! Learn about birds of Sonoran Desert and migrant birds on this walk with Ranger Eric in a desert riparian area near the confluence of Morgan City Wash and the Agua Fria River. We will meet at the Beardsley Trailhead off of Beardsley CSR Rd., accessed on...
Isabella Lee Natural Preserve, at the confluence of Agua Caliente and Tanque Verde washes in northeast Tucson, is a mesquite bosque providing year-round habitat for resident and migrating birds. This trip is intended for those new to birding or for visitors who’d like an introduction to local birds. We’ll practice identifying birds by shape, sound,...
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy to moderate hike to learn about our fascinating Sonoran Desert. Learn about adaptations and life cycles of plants and animals in our Sonoran Desert on an easy to moderate terrain hike with Ranger Nikki. The route follows Slate trail for an out-and-back hike approximately 2.5 miles. Bring plenty of...
Look for and learn about reptiles of Sonoran Desert riparian areas during this guided hike with Ranger Derik. Join Ranger Derik for a guided, hike along the Black Rock and Waterfall Trails to look for reptiles of the Sonoran Desert. Along the way, we will discuss identification tips, their ecological roles, and safety around venomous...
Bring your friends, family, and/or fellow sustainability enthusiast down for a private tour of the Arizona Worm Farm! This is ideal for groups that would like a staff guided tour...
We encourage our guests to visit the Children’s Garden every Tuesday and Thursday morning to enjoy the flowers, insects, veggies, herbs and more! Free with Admission
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...
Have you ever wondered how mining operations determined just where to mine for precious metals? Bring the kids and dig in to a fun, hands on lesson in core sampling. They just might be the one to come across an “ore body” with a “vein of copper” running through it! This event is included with...
Join Ranger Nikki for a fun bat chat to bust some popular myths and set the record straight on an important member of our desert ecosystem. Learn where bats live,...
For those who can’t get enough of our African penguins, we invite you to join us for an exclusive up close and personal Penguin Encounter. Go behind the scenes with...
Interested in learning more about cacti? Learn and ask your cactus questions to a ranger. Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station table at the Lake Pleasant Discovery Center. Nearby there are live examples of a variety of cacti to see on the trail...
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...
Go behind the scenes with our Animal Care & Education team an OdySea Aquarium Team Member to learn specifics about sloth behavior, diet, and reproduction, as well as how we can do our part to help this incredible species and our rainforests. Tour Fee: $69.95 | General Admission Is Required. | Minimum Age 8 FAQ...
Learn how to adopt a desert tortoise, courtesy of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Registration not required.
Come watch our certified professional raptor trainers John & Balinda train the owls Funky and Simon, Speedy the hawk, Astro the Aplomado Falcon, and Azul the American Crow. Located in the Rehab structure behind the Nature Center – Use the driveway on the south side of the parking lot. The birds appear one at a...
Join us as we explore how animals survive in the desert, rainforest, and savanna habitats, and how our actions affect their survival. Zoo educators and animal ambassadors will inspire you to protect and care for animals and their habitats around the world. Presented by Reid Park Zoological Society No registration necessary. Space is limited, tickets...
On Thursday, August 17, 2023, Old Pueblo Archaeology Center’s “Third Thursday Food for Thought” program will feature “The 1541 O’odham Annihilation of Vázquez de Coronado’s Southern Arizona Townsite and Other New Coronado-Era Discoveries” presentation by archaeologist Deni J. Seymour, Ph.D. This free Zoom presentation will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 pm ARIZONA/Mountain Standard Time (same...
Join Ranger Steve for an easy after-dark hike on the Merkle Trail to look for nocturnal wildlife! Look for nocturnal Sonoran Desert wildlife with Ranger Steve on an easy 1.5 mile after-dark hike on the Merkle Trail! Species seen on past hikes have included snakes, lizards, spiders, owls, bobcats, coyotes, and more! Although the trails...
Join Rangers Eric on a hike to look for nocturnal wildlife, including scorpions! Join Rangers Eric to look for and learn about the nocturnal critters of the Sonoran Desert! Hiking will be easy to moderate on sandy or uneven terrain, and will be about 1-2 miles roundtrip, depending on heat and participant interest. Wildlife may include...
Bats, and frogs, and snakes – oh my! Join two naturalists as we seek flying, slithering, and hopping creatures that come out at night. Explore the nocturnal world using bat...
Come see what sort of thrilling show plays out on tonight’s stage at Bug Theater with Ranger Shaun! Join Ranger Shaun for an evening of education and entertainment quite unlike a normal night on Netflix. Immerse yourself in Bug Theater when the sun sets, and a spotlight allows us to draw in critters from the...