Learn about free smartphone apps that can help you identify plants, animals, and more, while helping contribute to science! Stop by to learn from Ranger Eric about the free iNaturalist and Seek apps you can use to identify any living organism on the planet with your smartphone, while also increasing our knowledge of where they...
Meet at the park’s Nature Center. Join us in removing invasive species and reducing wildfire risk in our parks. Participants will learn to identify several invasive species, their phenology and...
The San Pedro River, a narrow green oasis rippling through desert grassland, is one of the last wild rivers in the Southwest and one of the most endangered. These 3-hour guided walks through desert grassland and among towering cottonwood trees will introduce you to the birds and other wildlife that make their homes in the...
Join Vera, an Arizona State Park volunteer and experienced birder, on a journey to discover the birds of the Sonoran Desert! Meet at the Palo Verde Day Use ramada and don't forget your binoculars! Program is free with park entry ($10 day use/vehicle).
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...
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!
It’s Going, Going, Green! Month, let’s learn about being good stewards of the earth! Visit Star Bar on the 2nd floor to learn about recycling in Phoenix, what to do with your recyclables, tips on composting and how to help animal habitats with a fun matching game. Make sure all the animals go to the right home!...
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...
Join local origami artist, Charlie Humme, as he teaches us how to make our very own origami bunnies for Spring!
Join us for our free docent-led tour in the lobby of the Bryant Bannister Tree-Ring Building (1215 E. Lowell St.). Visitors will be introduced to the basic tenets of dendrochronology and have a chance to examine specimens. During your 1.5 hour tour, you will be introduced to the basic tenets of dendrochronology, have a chance to...
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...
Join us in the Children’s Garden to create your very own citrus cup bird feeder to take home and give our feathery friends a yummy treat!
Addressing the depletion of aquifers that support irrigated agriculture and provide drinking water for millions is a global challenge. Like many regional aquifers, the High Plains aquifer in western Kansas is under stress produced by decades of intensive pumping for irrigation. The resulting large water-level declines observed across the region pose an existential threat to...
Join the Natural History Institute and OLLI for a talk by archeologist Michael Kellett, who will share his original research on the Prescott Culture area. High Places: Reevaluating Hilltop Architecture with Drone Imagery and 3-D Modeling Join the Natural History Institute for a Speaker Series talk by archeologist Michael Kellett, who will share his original...
Ladybugs are iconic but they are just one piece of the vibrant tapestry of beneficial insects that grace Tucson gardens. From parasitic wasps to graceful hoverflies there is a fascinating world of helpers protecting your plants. We'll focus on identification. their distinctive characteristics and preferred prey as well as practical strategies for inviting these allies...
The spectacular diversity and richness of the coloration of butterflies has for centuries captivated both scientists and non-scientists alike. In this talk Dr. Ron Rutowski will first overview scientific efforts...
During the time of year when the projects are the biggest and the tests most extreme, the library invites you to spend an hour chilling out with some adorable animals. Participants will get a chance to feed hedgehogs mealworms and do some hedgehog related arts and crafts. Ask questions about what is is like housing...
Come and meet some amazing birds of prey that are native to Arizona. Presenters from Liberty Wildlife will teach us about the history, habitat, preservation and safety of each animal. (ages 6 & up / 45 min) **Space is limited, so please see a staff person prior to the start of the program to pick...
Weather has always been one of the most dynamic and complex forces shaping our planet, but now it’s intensifying in varied and complex ways. Extreme Weather takes us to the...