Desert Defender volunteers needed! Join us in removing invasive species and reducing the wildfire risk in Maricopa County Regional Parks. Participants will learn to identify several invasive species, their phenology and characteristics, and how to remove these invasive plants effectively. Meet at the Main Parking Lot. The goal is to remove invasive plants as a...
Hike the treasured landscapes of the Sonoran Desert surrounding the East Valley. Each trip you’ll discover iconic cacti, canyons peppering the landscapes, and rugged trails. Trips are local and start out with easy terrain and progress to more difficult hikes later in the season. Transportation and entrance fees included. Come prepared with hiking attire, water,...
Learn about the amazing and diverse wildlife of the Sonoran Desert on this guided hike with Arizona State Park volunteers Lisa and Abi. This will be an easy, 1-mile, out-and-back hike with little elevation gain and some loose, steep terrain in parts. The hike will be about an hour at a social pace, as we stop to...
Join Ranger Shaun to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a morning hike! Maybe not as much fun as a pub crawl, but it's early yet. This will be a roughly 3-mile out and back hike on the Pipeline and Yavapai trails. Trails are easy and moderate difficulty with some medium to large rocks and a...
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!
Do you love feeding and interacting with reptiles? Sign up for this half-day camp to act like a volunteer with activities, interactions, and real animal care opportunities! The Keeper Program is designed to give children too young to participate in our Adult Volunteer Program a chance to learn and work at PHS. Each day is three...
Using recyclables plus a dash of imagination, construct a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. You might even find some dino-themed items to build with for Dinosaur Month!
Step back in time for some dino-sized STEAM fun! In this hands-on activity, young paleontologists will explore the fascinating world of dinosaur facts and measurements, comparing their own height, stride, and even “tooth size” to prehistoric giants. Using tools of measurement and simple math, kids will practice estimation, observation, and data collection as they measure...
Step into the Jurassic Sandpit and dig into dino-sized adventures all month long! Young paleontologists can uncover hidden “fossils” using brushes, scoops, and magnifying glasses. This hands-on pretend play experience invites kids to investigate, imagine, and unearth prehistoric treasures right in the Children’s Garden.
Keep your eyes peeled… we’ve had reports of dinosaur sightings all around the Museum! You never know where one might pop up – scaling the Climber, stacking blocks, or showing off disco moves on the 2nd floor. Stay alert, exploders… your mission this month is simple: catch a DINO if you can!
Part art. Part engineering. Totally amazing! Add a pop of wonder and a pinch of nostalgia to your spring with Sean Kenney’s Nature Pop! Marvel at over 40 wildly creative sculptures made entirely of LEGO® bricks at this exhibition, included with Zoo admission and free for Zoo members from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily....
Snake Day camp will focus on the five main snake families: colubridae, boidae, pythonidae, elapidae, and viperidae. Snake camp will use a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) oriented curriculum to do activities like crafts, games, animal interactions, and more all related to our slithering friends! Your child's safety is of the utmost importance...
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...
Education staff invite you on this special behind the scenes tour to learn about the unique adaptations of some of the largest types of tortoises. Learn about how we care for our largest tortoises at the Zoo and how our everyday actions can help protect tortoises in the wild. This experience provides an opportunity to...
Live Raptors at Ron Morriss Park Part of the Tubac Hawkwatch Festival! Thousands of hawks fly through Tubac on their spring migration, and official hawk counters will be counting them throughout the season! The HawkWatch Festival occurs at the peak of the hawk migration.
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...
An engaging and exclusive presentation of the town of Jerome, as told by long-time local, Henry Vincent, in an outdoor setting. Featuring an overview of the geology, United Verde Copper Co. and United Verde Extension mines, and the Douglas family.
Are you mammal obsessed? This is the tour for you! Our Private Mammal Tour is a great option to meet some of our furry friends, watch feeding demonstrations, and learn more about the mammal residents at PHS! Your VIP-Inspired Experience Includes: Capybara interaction for the group. Meet, pet, and feed our adorable capybara "Spud"! Opossum interaction...
Since 2015, Desert Botanical Garden’s researchers have been making trips to the coast of Sonora as part of our columnar cacti studies, along with collecting seeds and herbarium vouchers, in land belonging to one of the most enigmatic indigenous groups in the Sonoran Desert region of Mexico: the Comcaac Nation. The Comcaac, in the past...
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...
Learn the secrets of the “rainforests of the sea” as you embark on an oceanic safari of the world’s most vibrant— and endangered—marine ecosystems. Narrated by Tony Award® winner Lea Salonga, the all-digital Expedition Reef immerses you in the undersea adventure. Audience: General, all ages Style: Fulldome film + live Earth science talk ...
Presented by guest speaker Jennie MacFarland, Director of Bird Conservation, Tucson Bird Alliance. Part of the Tubac Hawkwatch Festival! Thousands of hawks fly through Tubac on their spring migration
Garden on the go with this sampler class about growing plants in jars, take-out trays, and other creative containers. Read a beautiful book of gardens in unexpected places. Create your own tiny green space to take with you! Dress for the weather – this program may take place outside. Presented by Anna Van Devender from Nature...
Diagnosing problems in the garden can be complicated and confusing. We are here to help! This talk focuses on leaves that are torn, chewed, full of holes, or missing altogether. You’ll learn how to recognize the likely culprits and discover practical ways to help your plants recover and thrive. Presented by Pima County Master Gardeners...
Join us in the fight to protect our precious desert pollinators and learn what you can do to be a better friend to butterflies and their allies! Come meet Ranger Kevin between 2pm and 3:30pm. Pick up your free butterfly ID guides and then gain the knowledge you need to start helping out our native...
Did you know natural paints and pigments can be made from many desert plants and rocks? In this class explore colors in our desert environment, learn how to make natural paints and create your own project from natural materials. Ages 6 - 13 Presented by Pima County Environmental Education
Join Ranger Olivia for some St. Patrick’s Day fun searching for gold during this Family-friendly hike. To celebrate we will be heading out on the trail in search of gold that has been left behind by Lucky the Leprechaun. Lucky always seems to be causing trouble here in the park on St. Patrick's Day, and this year...
Come on out and celebrate St. Paddy’s Day than with a fun, family-friendly hike! It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and if you’re looking for something fun to do with the kids,...
Kids dive into the amazing world of insects in this hands-on entomology workshop! Presented by staff from Mad Science, children will examine real insect specimens up close, refresh their insect anatomy skills, and discover what makes bugs so unique. Through fun matching activities, kids connect each insect to its correct habitat and learn how insects...
Come learn fruit tree care basics with Fonz520! Although harsh, our environment is a wonderfully productive setting for bountiful crop production. Join the discussion on plant soil health, irrigation, and basic tree care strategies for fruit trees! We will be learning and working on fruit trees outside in the orchard behind Quincie Douglass Center.
Dive into the deep blue sea with Sounds of the Ocean—a breathtaking fusion of nature sounds, live music, and immersive visual art. This award-winning experience invites audiences of all ages to connect with marine life and find calm in a world of noise. This is a 1-hour experience with a live accompaniment by Joshua Sam...