Professional guide Homer Hansen will focus on characteristics, behaviors, and other clues for the identification of the flycatchers of SE Arizona. This field trip will visit many habitats to study these birds in the wild and will be useful for both the expert and beginner alike. It will start in the lowlands seeking kingbirds, Myiarchus flycatchers and Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet...
Join professional guide Jennie MacFarland on an exploration of one of the finest Huachuca Mountain Canyons. Miller Canyon is known to local birders as a reliable place to find Red-faced Warblers and there may even be a chance of a Mexican Spotted Owl. Other SE Arizona specialties including Arizona Woodpecker, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Painted Redstart, Grace’s Warbler and...
Enjoy a full day birding with professional guide, Matt Brown, on Arizona’s largest military base, famous for over a century for its Arizona specialties. We will cover a wide range of habitats from grasslands to pine-oak woodlands. At higher elevations, we will hope to encounter Coppery-tailed Trogon, Arizona Woodpecker, and Dusky-capped and Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers in Huachuca Canyon....
Join professional guide and environmental educator Jeff Babson on an exciting day-long excursion to see what's new or unusual in SE Arizona. This trip's destinations will be based on recent bird reports in the area as well as the needs of the group. With no pre-planned destination, Rick will be free to chase after what's available in any...
Sierra Vista is the Hummingbird Capital of the United States, so what better place can there be to hunt for hummingbirds. This exciting trip is led by professional bird guide Kristy Gallo, and will visit all of the best locations for hummingbirds in the Huachuca Mountains. As well as the regulars such as Rivoli’s, Broad-billed and...
Join professional guide Peg Abbott on a half-day exploration of the San Pedro River which starts at the renowned Casa San Pedro. After a look at the feeders which attract many hummingbirds...
Journey through history on the Beale Wagon Road, a significant route developed between 1857 and 1859 by Navy Lieutenant Edward Fitzgerald Beale. Commissioned by the U.S. government to support westward expansion, this 1,240-mile trail stretches from Fort Smith, Arkansas, to the Colorado River, offering a glimpse into the past through the landscapes of New Mexico...
Ranger Nikki will lead the way as we search for signs that any monsoon rains have greened up the desert trees, cacti, and perennial shrubs and possibly nudged summer annuals to sprout and bloom. We will trek on Gray Fox and Ironwood Trails and return to the trailhead by walking on a short portion of paved...
Enjoy a guided tour of the gardens of Historic Canoa Ranch. Join Raydine Taber from the Green Valley Gardeners to explore the variety of themed gardens within the ranch headquarters. All Ages
This class connects you and your child to the garden through hands-on activities, where you’ll learn where food comes from, explore nature, and create fun nature-inspired crafts. Ages 0 - 5
Do you have a garden problem? Need help with your landscape plants? Don't know what to plant when? Want to start a vegetable garden, but don't know where to start? Join us to get answers to your home garden and landscape questions during this free twice monthly LIVE ONLINE ZOOM Q&A session with Maricopa County Master Gardeners....
Ranger Nikki will share information on a variety of desert mammals including coyote, fox, bobcat, mountain lion, javelina, jackrabbit and more! You can examine replica skulls to compare features of carnivores, herbivores and omnivores as well as tanned hides to understand how camouflage is an important defense mechanism in our desert environment. Take home information...
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...
Have a question about local gardening, local insects, and local plants? Come ask a master gardener your questions the first Friday of each month from 12-2 and learn about all these and more! Registration not required.
Sitting in the Highlands Center ramada while the wind rustles through the ponderosa pine needles and a robin chirps, there is a moment of silent contemplation. Natural history is complicated – personal and universal at the same time. Our Natural History book club met beginning in 2021 and the discussions occasionally resulted in these special...
Beauty can be found in nature, music, and art. Join us as we create our own wind chimes using beads and found materials. Let your creativity shine as you design a unique piece to hang outside. Sit back, watch it dance in the breeze, and listen to the music it creates. Ages 5 - 12
Deep beneath the earth's crust, hundreds of kilometres below the surface, with no light, no air, and very little water, in pores and fissures of hard rock, scientists have found an enormous biodiversity of micro-organisms that thrive in extreme conditions. The Dark Biosphere challenges everything we thought we knew and challenges us to rethink not...
Hummingbird banding sessions at Casa de San Pedro Bed & Breakfast are open to members of SABO and guests of the B&B at no charge, though donations are appreciated. Only two (2) parking spaces are available for visitors who are not guests of Casa de San Pedro B&B, and registration is required. Casa de San...
This talk will be in Spanish with no English translation. Las mariquitas son icónicas, pero son solo una parte del vibrante tapiz de insectos beneficiosos que habitan nuestros jardines de Tucson. Desde avispas parasitoides hasta elegantes moscas sírfidas, existe un fascinante mundo de aliados que protegen tus plantas. Nos enfocaremos en su identificación, sus características...
Join Ranger Jacque for a roughly 1.8-mile round-trip hike to the Clay Mine, where Leila Irish built a unique business based on a remarkable natural discovery. In the spirit of America 250,...
New this summer! Twelve light installations now on view at Garden After Dark throughout the Garden trails. This brand-new shimmering display creates a playful break from the summer heat with cooling colors and designs inspired by the monsoon season. All Ages
Ranger Olivia leads this picturesque hike to watch the sunset while also learning about saguaros along the way. We will see the sunset, saguaros, saguaro blossoms, and maybe some evening critters as well. You may bring your black light and regular flashlight to look for evening critters(optional). This hike will be about 2 miles starting on the Spur Cross...
Join bat aficionado Karen Krebbs as we visit the semi-desert grassland to see agave food plants of bats up close. After sunset we’ll watch hummingbird feeders and/or agaves for Lesser Long-nosed Bats and Mexican Long-tongued Bats flying in for dinner. Attendees on this field trip will benefit from Karen's free lecture on Friday 1:30 PM (not a...
Celebrate our America's 250 milestone by exploring the desert after dark! Join Ranger Jacque for a family-friendly night hike in search of the striped-tail and giant hairy scorpions - resilient residents that have called the Sonoran Desert home since long before our country’s founding. This nighttime adventure begins outside the Nature Center, where restrooms and water fountains are...
Join us after dark on a night-time adventure with our Education Staff and Docents! Discover the amazing world of nocturnal life in the Sonoran Desert on this family friendly ‘crawl’. Guests will learn about Sonoran Desert ecology while taking a closer look at the local critters. Plus, you will get the knowledge you need to be prepared for your own night-time treks. Preregistration is required and limited to 24 guests. For your safety, children ages 4 and under and pets are not permitted. Register: https://7830.blackbaudhosting.com/7830/Critter-Crawl-Night-Tour-07Aug2026 Distance: Each...
Join a naturalist for a guided hike through the desert after dark. Experience the Sonoran Desert as it comes to life after the sun sets. This 2-mile or less family-friendly hike will help us explore the nocturnal adaptations of desert wildlife that help them survive. All ages welcome. Meet at: precise location will be given...