Learn about the abundance of food that grows on trees throughout the desert. Learn about the bean trees that can be harvested like mesquite, ironwood, palo verde and carob. Enjoy...
Get outside this summer with our staff on a family friendly educational hike! On this sunrise hike, learn about our unique collection plants, Sonoran Desert ecology, and meet our resident Sonoran Desert Tortoises. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes, sun protective clothing, and bring plenty of water. Sign up for this free hike at the...
Trip Difficulty: Moderate, distance: up to 2 miles, duration: 2.5-3 hours, trail conditions: Most of the walk is slightly up the mountain road, hard packed dirt. There is a steep hill up at first then down to the wash and 1K miles marker. Anyone who feels they can’t hike it can drive over to the...
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 Shaun for a morning walk! Come with Ranger Shaun up the Waterfall trail (water not included) in search of wildlife as the desert warms up. We’ll look for and discuss the ecology and adaptions of desert dwellers along the way and hopefully get lucky enough to see a few. Closed toed shoes and...
Join docent Anne Leight for a walk around the preserve to look for and learn about birds. Look for and learn about birds of this desert oasis with seasoned birder, bird bander, and preserve docent Anne Leight on this guided, easy walk. Please bring your own binoculars if you have them, but some are available...
Meet at the park’s Nature Center. It is time to harvest seeds! Join us for a celebration of native seeds!! As we strive to improve native biodiversity within the parks. Registering is required via sign-up.com. Events start at 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Participants will learn to identify native plants in their seed stage, and...
Spend National Trails Day outside on one of our trails to learn all about plants of the Sonoran Desert during this guided hike with Ranger Olivia. Enjoy a guided nature hike along one of our trails to see all the beauty the desert plants have to offer. We will be along the Tortoise trail which...
Join us as we share tips for maintaining annual & perennial herbs and flowers in the low desert. We'll cover healthy soil makeup, plant spacing, light management, fertilizing, and companion planting. Plus! A focus on flowers and seed saving to attract pollinators season after season. Each registration includes: 4 seasonal plant starts, 1/2 gallon worm...
We strive to create a fun, hands on experience for children to learn about organic gardening to encourage the love of gardening for years to come. Bring your gloves because we dig dirt! This week we will be learning about pollenators: butterflies and bees. We will be making “puddlers” for the pollenators.
Interested in learning more about cacti? Ask your cactus questions to Ranger Eric and learn about them! Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station table in the garden in front of the Visitor Center. There are several live varieties of cacti to see in the native plants...
Join us to walk around Liberty Wildlife during our public open hours and see us fulfilling our mission! In the months of May, June, July and September, we are open...
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 Kartchner Caverns State Park for a talk on insects of southern Arizona. "Industrious Insects" Exploring Entomology" is the latest in Kartchner Caverns State Parks' Desert Dialogues educational series, presenting expert speakers on issues surrounding the park's ecosystem. This presentation will be held in the Tenen–Tufts Theater. See the session topics and speakers below. The program is...
COME PLAY IN THE DIRT! ZooLittles is an exciting and dynamic program designed for pre-schoolers (ages 3 - 5) to help develop young children's’ physical, emotional, and intellectual growth through exciting hands-on experiences. This includes working in the zoo’s organic garden to understand soil, plant, and insect relationships. Children participate in worm composting & understanding its...
Join Willow Bend Environmental Education Center and the Northern Arizona Audubon Society for a fun, hands-on morning exploring what it means to be a naturalist! 🌿 Engage with nature in the Willow Bend Gardens, document your discoveries, and enjoy interactive games and demonstrations designed for all ages. This family-friendly event is a great way to learn, play, and connect with...
Join Ranger Olivia to learn more about the cacti that live in the desert. Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! In this casual drop-in program, there will be live samples of cacti to touch and learn about. Bring any questions you might have about how our cacti not only survive...
Nature Niños is a free community program for families with children ages 0-8 in the Greater Prescott Area! Park Rangers and community partners (including the Natural History Institute!) lead child-centered play events at different family-friendly parks and trails each month. At each event, there are free take-homes, creative nature activities, games, storytime, a raffle, fun...
Stop by the Nature Center to learn about and meet San Tan’s animal ambassadors with Ranger Nikki during this drop-in session. Ranger Nikki will introduce you to San Tan’s animal...
Sow the seeds of knowledge in discovering how to identify native plants by recognizing key characteristics, distinguishing common species, and understanding their natural habitats! Presentation by University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. Adults 18+. First come first serve, as seating is limited.
Meet Ranger Jacque and our animal ambassadors at feeding time! Join us for an up- close look at some of the desert’s most fascinating creatures! Watch as our animal ambassadors, namely snakes!- devour their juicy meals. This experience will give visitors the chance to pet our friendly gopher snake, learn about the unique characteristics of...
Students will become paleontologists. Students will learn about fossils, dinosaurs, rocks and so much more. Students will learn through read-aloud's, dino digs, the study of fossils/rocks, and projects/crafts. No class on 6/21. A $28.00 materials fee will be due to the instructor on the first class date, March 28 Ages 4 - 6 Jun 7, 2025...
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...
Beat the heat and explore the outdoors with Reid Park Zoo’s Summer Safari Nights on Friday and Saturday evenings! Come to Summer Safari Nights, presented by TMC Health and enjoy the Zoo in the cooler evening hours! Each week will feature keeper chats, animal encounters, artifact stations, giraffe feedings, carousel rides, crafts and games. Face painting and...
Spend National Trails Day on a guided night hike with Ranger Jacque! : Have you been avoiding summer hikes because of the heat? There’s a way to enjoy the desert in summer while avoiding the scorching sun. Enjoy hiking under the stars instead on this Night Fitness Hike, where you’ll take Blevins, Cat Peaks, and...
Want to learn about scorpions and see them glow under a black light while hiking on a beautiful trail at Oracle State Park? Then join us at Oracle State Park for an exciting evening searching for and learning about scorpions! Please meet at the Group Use parking lot at 7 p.m., and be prepared to hike roughly one mile...
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy 2-mile stroll to search for scorpions and other nocturnal critters. Ranger Nikki will lead you on an out-and-back 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, kangaroo rats, stink bugs and...