Meet at the park Nature Center. Explore the birds/bird life at Estrella Park with special guest Joe Ford. With the park's wide range of habitats, you will encounter some of the best birding in the valley! Beginner birders and long-time enthusiasts will enjoy this opportunity to spot and identify many bird species. Bring close-toed shoes,...
Trip difficulty: Easy; Walking Distance: 2.5 miles; Trip Duration: 2 hr 45 min; Elevation Gain: none; Ground Condition: groomed trail. Drinking water not available on trail. Restrooms at the Mason Center and one restroom midway on the 2.5 mile loop. Join us for an introduction to birdwatching basics at the Tucson Audubon Mason Center. After...
Trip difficulty: Easy. Walking Distance: 1.0-1.5 miles. Trip Duration: 2.5 hours. Ground Condition: Mostly flat surface on grass, paved and dirt pathway with some areas of uneven footing. Ample parking, restroom facilities and benches available at periodic intervals throughout the park. Welcome to Second Saturdays at Reid Park! Join Tucson Audubon at Reid Park to...
Ranger Nikki will lead you on an easy to moderate terrain hike to explore our beautiful Sonoran Desert. The route follows Butterfield, Gadsden, Dysart and Coldwater Trails to make a 7.5-mile loop. The terrain varies from level and rocky to uneven and rocky and a portion that is level and smooth. There is a section...
Have you ever wondered what the top of Picacho Peak looks like? Well, wonder no more! Join our wonderful Ranger Kira on a hike to the peak. You and a few other hikers will be guided up to the top of the mountain via the Sunset or Hunter trail. Learn more about the mountain and...
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 birds by sight and sound, and about the behavioral and ecological traits that make them unique. Some binoculars...
As an Important Birding Area, Boyce Thompson Arboretum serves as a revered stage where avian life takes the spotlight. Whether you’re a curious novice or a seasoned birdwatcher, our guided...
Location: Gateway Trailhead – 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Time: ~2.5 hours Stop by anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. to learn all about the desert tortoises that live in the Preserve. How does the desert tortoise survive the long hot Sonoran Desert summers in the Preserve? Easy! They get the water...
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...
Biodiversity in the Sonoran Desert Educational Walk at Fraesfield Trailhead Location: Fraesfield Trailhead – 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Sonoran...
Location: Fraesfield Trailhead – 13400 E Rio Verde Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Easy Time: ~2 hours The Sonoran Desert is the most biodiverse desert in the world, and the closer you look, the more there is to see! Join us for a biodiversity walk along Camino Campana, where we will discover the incredible...
Ride to the Crested Saguaros at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Ever notice the crested saguaros in the Preserve? Come ride with us to see a large number scattered throughout the north. This is an advanced skill and vigorous cardio ride. Location: Brown’s Ranch Trailhead – 30301 N. Alma School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Skill level: Intermediate...
Ever notice the crested saguaros in the Preserve? Come ride with us to see a large number scattered throughout the north. This is an advanced skill and vigorous cardio ride....
The Phoenix Zoo is excited to host its Teen Career Conference in-person once again! This event is geared towards teens, grades 9-12, who are interested in exploring many different careers in the world of animal science. Teens will experience what it is like to attend a professional, academic conference and engage in a variety of...
Huff and puff and SHAKE the house down as we build small houses from sticks and then use earthquake simulation tables to see which house will be the last one...
Museum opens at 9.00 am for event check-in, The ARIZONA GOLD MINING EXPERIENCE™ begins at 10:00 am. The Cave Creek Museum’s AZ GOLD MINING EXPERIENCE™ is unique with its display of the...
Bird Program talk and Power Point Presentation with Joe Ford in the Estrella Park Nature Center Classroom following the Bird Hikes. Topics cover bird images, habits, maps, details and bird life. Free with Park Fee
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...
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners are certified volunteers who answer questions about gardening, landscaping, plant identification, and plant problems. If you have been wondering when, what, where, and how to plant your garden in Arizona, and who to ask, wonder no more. Come talk with a Master Gardener and have your questions answered—you...
Enjoy gardening? Do you have garden challenges you’d like to overcome? Need help with your landscape plants? Don't know what to plant or when? Want to start a vegetable garden, but don't know where to start? Join the Maricopa County Master Gardeners Saturdays once per month from 10am-12pm at Georgia Lord library for free home...
Grow your yard and eat it, too! Learn how to grow an edible garden in the Arizona Desert. Cathy Rymer, Master Gardener, Certified Arborist, retired Water Conservation Coordinator, author, and experienced horticulturist will share everything you need to know from Spring selection, planting, and maintenance with heirloom veggies and fruit choices. The class will also...
Our Nature Program is the perfect opportunity for people of all ages to learn all about Arizona's diverse wildlife. This is a live reptile exhibit and so much more! On-site experts will be available to answer your questions about these creatures and interpret how they have adapted to survive and thrive in the sunny Sonoran...
We invite our community to visit on this special day to learn about Usery Mountain Regional Park. Come one, come all to the Usery Mountain Regional Park Open House! If you have questions about the trails, campgrounds, archery range, park history, or maybe even park programs, then this event is for you. Stop by anytime between 10:30am - 2:30pm...
Join a ranger for a 15 minute talk at the Coronado National Memorial Visitor Center and learn about a variety of park topics including the Coronado Expedition, wildlife, and more! Ask a ranger at the visitor center desk for the topic of the day. Free with Park Fee
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...
Drop-in at the library youth patio to have fun with sand science! Sand seems very ordinary material but it is so unique! You will explore sand qualities through amazing experiments, choosing the best sand to build castles, learning how earthquake works, building your own seismograph, making a beautiful Valentine's Day gift, and finding natural wonders...
This new and exclusive Cave Creek Museum adventure is a “must” for everyone! Cave Creek Museum is partnering with Rackensack Canyon Tours to bring Arizona’s first and only total gold mining experience to life. After seeing the interactive, action-packed Arizona Gold Mining Experience (AZGME), Gold Fever lovers break for lunch and return to Cave Creek Museum to...
Join us as we guide you through the awe-inspiring abundance of the Sonoran Desert. Far from barren, this vibrant landscape is home to an unparalleled variety of over 540 medicinal and edible plants. As we explore flowering shrubs and timeless trees, you’ll learn how plants like prickly-pear and jojoba have been life-giving staples for Sonoran...
Successful Citrus Growing in the Low Desert
Expedition Reef show reveals in exquisite detail the breathtaking beauty and biodiversity of coral reefs—and the scientists taking action to restore them. Recommended for general audiences. Themes: Sea, Climate, Biology Style: Fulldome documentary followed by live presentation Planetarium Tickets Adults: $12 Children (ages 3-15): $8 Children ages 2 and under: Free Discounted Rates Seniors (55+) and...
Join, Sharon Maurer, an Arizona State Parks Ranger, to learn about native snakes in Sedona and the Verde Valley. This interactive program covers snake identification and behavior, and features a meet-and-greet portion...