Join Ranger Eric for an after-hours prowl of the Preserve trails to look for nocturnal animals and scorpions! Join Ranger Eric for an after-hours trail walk to look for and learn about the nocturnal critters of the Preserve! Wildlife seen on past walks have included bats, ringtails, foxes, skunks, javelinas, deer, owls, scorpions, insects, and other...
Join us at Lakeside Park for a joyful morning of birding and non-partisan canvassing reaching out to registered voters who care deeply about the environment and climate change but need some encouragement to get out and vote. Meet up with your fellow EVP volunteers to mobilize low propensity environmental voters in Tucson to vote in...
Learn about the resident and migrant birds of desert riparian areas on this guided walk with Anne Leight. Did you know that over 300 species of birds have been found at the Hassayampa River Preserve? Enjoy an easy-paced walk with seasoned birder and bird bander Anne Leight to spot and identify the many resident and migratory birds of...
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 naturalist Jeff Babson for a casual birding experience to familiarize yourself with birding basics. Loaner binoculars available....
At Mission Garden, meet inside the front gate of the garden $10, Spots limited: Register Here Learn about some of the 50 medicinal plants in Mission Garden's Moore Medicinal Garden. The plants are native to the American Southwest deserts and in many cases have been used for millennia. Modern herbalists are keeping this tradition alive...
Free guided walk through the Rio Salado Habitat Area. All are welcome. Join our local bird enthusiasts for a guided bird walk through the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area! These walks are for everyone: experts, novices, and people who have never gone birding in their entire life. Bring water, and wear sunscreen and shoes for...
Learn how to successfully grow and maintain fruit trees using permaculture principles and soil science. This class will teach you the proper (organic!) way to plant, feed, trim, and harvest your fruit trees. The class is conducted in our Food Forest and will include tips on everything from apples to mulberries. Class includes: 1/2 gallon...
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 Ranger Jacque on a 2.5 mile hike to learn about a variety of desert plant and animal life. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the desert on this informative morning hike, revealing a side of desert life you may be surprised to learn. This 2.5-mile moderate hike follows a southern section of Pass Mountain trailhead,...
Explore the heights of Spur Cross Conservation area on a hike up Elephant Mountain with Ranger Derik and learn about the plants, animals, history and cultures that can be found here. The hike to Elephant Mountain is rated as strenuous and will take on average 5.5 hours to complete. The trail will cover 8 miles...
Celebrate fall in beautiful Oak Creek Canyon our annual Fall Festival. Bring your picnic supplies and enjoy the vibrant colors of autumn while having lunch and soaking in every aspect of this gorgeous venue. Enjoy interesting and educational demonstrations, plus plenty of kid’s activities. Experience all of this while enjoying the various wildlife and native plants of Slide Rock State Park! Partner booths...
We've compiled everything we think every beginner gardener should know, and jam-packed it into an hour class. From setting up your growing space to harvesting the fruits of your labor, let us help you navigate organic gardening in the desert! This class is a great place to start your garden journey. Includes: 4 seasonal starts,...
Join us to celebrate the completion of the Rarámuri (Tarahumara) Rancheria at Mission Garden! A rancheria was a functional living and working space built by Indigenous people throughout southern Arizona and northern Mexico around the 1900s, including by the Rarámuri people of northern Mexico. Our exhibit is built with wood from an original Rarámuri rancheria—historic, hand-hewn...
Chat with paleontologists at work in the Museum Demonstration Lab and peek in the windows to view the fossils they are cleaning and conserving from Petrified Forest National Park. Free with Park Fee
Celebrate fall with Willow Bend Environmental Education Center! Bring the whole family to immerse yourselves in the tapestry of the changing seasons at our fun-filled, fall-themed, event. Dive into creativity and exploration with hands-on activities, including crafting intricate seed art, indulging in mouthwatering apple nachos, fashioning unique vegetable stamps, crafting charming pine cone bird feeders,...
Saguaro National Park is famous for its gigantic saguaros. Still, you have to know where to look to find a real giant among giants. Join a ranger for a walk along a tree-lined desert wash, and view an awesome example of the Giant Cactus. Hike will be 3/4 mile round trip walk along a flat, sandy...
Come join us on first Saturdays of the month from 10:00 -11:00 am. We are hosting a seed exchange. Bring some seed you have from your garden or from the store and feel free to take 3 packets of seed from our catalog. We are working to help acclimatize seed to the Verde Valley and...
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...
A series of mindful sense-experience walks with Grace Burford in collaboration with the Natural History Institute and the Highlands Center for Natural History. Saturday, October 5th: Mindful Meandering: Tuning into Nature Through Smell; a mindfulness walk with Grace Burford focused on our sense of smell.
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...
Join us to walk around Liberty Wildlife during our public open hours and see us fulfilling our mission! 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...
Sign up for a Guided Tour before our flight and eagle show: https://libertywildlife.org/education/private-tour/ Space for 15 people Cost $15 per person paid onsite via cash, check or card
During September and October, a variety of raptors and other birds soar southward over Grand Canyon. Learn about their remarkable journey, and why we count them every fall. Presented by Hawkwatch International. NOTE: There is no vehicle parking at Yaki Point, please park at the visitor center and take the Eastbound Kaibab (ORANGE) Route shuttle to Yaki Point. Buses...
Master Gardener volunteers from the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension will be available to answer your desert gardening questions, including but not limited to plant selection, irrigation, fertilization, pruning techniques, pest management and problem diagnosis. You can bring plant material or insect specimens for ID and advice.
Presented by Angela Judd, author and certified Master Gardener, in collaboration with City of Scottsdale's Solid Waste department. Gain valuable insights to thriving in Arizona’s low desert during cooler fall and winter months with an in-depth exploration of effective gardening principles. Angela Judd, author and certified Master Gardener, will present on selecting the right crops...
The Arizona Worm Farm growing staff will teach the basics of organic tomato growing and give you a gift package to get you started! Topics will include: The Best Time to Plant Choosing the Right Tomato Varieties Sun and Temperature Requirements Soil Preparation Planting Tomatoes Companion plantings Watering, Fertilizing, and Pruning Tomatoes Class includes a...
Created for children ages 3 to 6, these activity-based, hands-on camps explore science and include STEAM elements. Activities include science investigations, games, storytime, music, engineering, art, and more! Maximum 12 children per camp. Parent attendance is MANDATORY. Scholarships are available for those who demonstrate financial need. Apply here. Earth: Layers of the Earth Children will...
Learn about dragonflies and damselflies during this guided walk on the trails with Ranger Eric. Did you know that over 50 species of dragonflies and damselflies can be found at the Preserve? Join Ranger Eric for a guided walk along the river and lake trails to explore the fascinating world of dragonflies and damselflies. We’ll...
Join Liberty Wildlife at the Verde Canyon Railroad Depot and meet their eagle/raptor ambassadors!
Bring your lunch and join Ranger Shaun for a chat about Bats! Just in time for Spooky Season! Come learn about our flying, furry friends to prepare for Halloween! While the County doesn’t keep any captive bats, Ranger Shaun has a presentation with plenty of pictures to share and lots of fun facts about our...
Interested in learning about birding, but not sure if it’s right for you? Ranger Jacque gives a beginner’s glimpse into the birding world in this introductory program. From hobbyists to extreme birdathon competitors, birding is a popular past time all over the world thanks to its relative ease and affordability. Yet for those newly interested,...
Stop by the Nature Center to learn about the annual hiking, running, biking and horseback riding challenge presented by Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department. Gear up for Maricopa County Parks and Recreation’s annual 100 Miles in 100 Days Challenge that starts on November 1. This drop-in learning session will share everything you need to know...
Ranger Shaun will be talking about what there is and how to see it in the desert after dark! Come on by! Hang around after lunch or just pop by to get a sneak peek at the menu for tonight’s Creatures of the Night hike! While we may not see all (or most, or any…)...
During September and October, a variety of raptors and other birds soar southward over Grand Canyon. Learn about their remarkable journey, and why we count them every fall. Presented by Hawkwatch International. NOTE: There is no vehicle parking at Yaki Point, please park at the visitor center and take the Eastbound Kaibab (ORANGE) Route shuttle to Yaki Point. Buses...
Join us for a stroll through our ethnobotanical garden where we will discuss some of the fascinating plants found in the Sonoran Desert . From the mighty saguaro cactus to the smallest wildflower, come let your curiosity blossom! Accessible program. Free with Park Fee
The Expedition Reef show reveals, in exquisite detail, the breathtaking beauty and biodiversity of coral reefs around the world—and the scientists taking action to restore them. Learn the secrets of the “rainforests of the sea.” Audience: General, all ages Style: Fulldome film followed by live talk about reefs Planetarium Tickets Adults: $14 Children (ages 3-15): $10...
October is when some of our spookiest desert critters get their turn in the spotlight! Join Ranger Kevin as we celebrate spooky season! Forget about animals with two legs or four; let’s meet some critters with six, eight, or more! Insects, spiders, and scorpions galore! You’ll have to come visit to see what’s in store!...
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,...
Take a hike with a Park Ranger on a 1 mile (1.6km) round trip trail to a desert oasis. Enjoy sunset views and learn about desert habitats. Wear sturdy shoes, sun protection, and bring water for the hike. This program will be cancelled in inclement weather. The parking area is unmarked gravel. There are no restrooms...
Bring Your Family to Meet Part of Our Family Our Education staff will share some fun facts while the keepers introduce you to the individual animals and their stories. This private after-hours event will include some tasty treats for both the animals and our guests, plus some fun activities!
Join Ranger Nikki on an evening stroll to search for scorpions and other nocturnal critters. Ranger Nikki will lead you on a walk to search for bark, striped-tail and giant hairy scorpions. We will also be on the lookout for other nocturnal critters such as bats, owls, tarantulas, centipedes and more. The route is an...
Take a stroll in the twilight as night-prowling creatures emerge to enjoy the cooler hours after dark. Bats expected! Meet at the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center entrance. Bring water, flashlight and a light jacket. 1mi-1.5mi, 2 hour hike. Free with Park Fee
Our Scorpion walks are an opportunity to learn about native scorpions in their desert home. We will likely encounter several species of scorpion and have an opportunity to watch them exploring and hunting. Park Rangers will lead and assist with finding the scorpions. The hike is for nature appreciation and education. We will be...
Now for the main course! Come explore the desert in the dark with Ranger Shaun! Join Ranger Shaun on the medium rated, 1-mile Quail Trail for a quick out and back night hike! We’ll be looking for nocturnal critters, practicing moving quietly, and using blacklights and flashlights to look for birds, bugs, and whatever else...