We will walk a route that navigates habitats not normally visited at 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. Meet at the flagpoles...
Northern Arizona is home to the world’s largest continuous stand of ponderosa pine forest, and the import and impact of its valuable timber is deeply woven into the region’s history. Visitors can trace the story of the region’s forests, from the ancestral environmental care practices of the region’s Indigenous communities to the founding of the...
It’s time to get your birding on! On this tour, you’ll learn how to identify resident birds and those just passing through. You’ll also learn where they like to hang out and what their habits are, so you can be ready to spot them in their natural habitat. View the Tohono Chul bird guide here....
Welcome! Join us for a guided adventure in the beautiful McDowell Sonoran Preserve. We have something for everyone. The Conservancy relies on the generosity of donors to support our conservation efforts in the Preserve. Your contributions help us mitigate invasive species, restore burned areas, and monitor wildlife to identify current and future threats. To participate, we...
If you have ever been interested in drawing what you observe in the natural world, you should attend this program! Join local illustrator and author, Diane Iverson, for the Summer drawing series. Learn and practice colored pencil drawing and leave with finished pieces. The class will be held in the Kieckhefer Classroom, where fresh air and inspiration are just steps...
Celebrate the Sonoran Desert via the words of poets and naturalists as you explore the Desert View Trail in a rustic area of Tohono Chul.
From fur to feathers, and scales to exoskeletons, this program helps learners with special needs recognize differences and similarities through visual, tactile, olfactory, and auditory experiences. Learn about five animal groups (invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals) and the amazing characteristics that make each group of animals unique. Programs are tailored to fit the needs...
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...
Experience Tohono Chul while learning some of the basics of the ecology of the Sonoran Desert. Join us for a Walk in the Gardens and get an intimate look at the plants and animals that call Tohono Chul home. During this guided tour, you’ll hear about desert wildlife and learn how to identify some of...
From birds to butterflies, a look at the winged things of the skies Eco-Stations at the Overlook These touch carts, staffed by Docents, feature hands-on Sonoran Desert learning opportunities for visitors of all ages. Stocked with everything from binoculars and hand lenses to mounted specimens and scientific models, and supplemented with an amazing array...
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...
Meet ranger Jacque and pet a snake at this informal animal encounter event! Get up close and personal with our animal ambassadors at this come-and-go program, where you can engage with our live desert critters and learn their remarkable stories! Drop in at the Nature Center at any point during the program time, where restrooms...
Ranger Jacque leads the way on this program, sure to please the senses as you embark on a nighttime hike with the majestic moon, mysterious sounds, and creatures of the night. Discover the magic and majesty of the full moon rising over the desert landscape, following the famous Arizona sunset draping over the mountains. This...