-
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...
Free with Park Fee
35 events found.
Botany
Events
Calendar of Events
|
Monday
|
Tuesday
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
Saturday
|
Sunday
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 events,
-
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...
Free
|
4 events,
-
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...
Free with Park Fee
-
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!
Free with Admission
-
Join us in the Children’s Garden as we learn about plants & flowers! We’ll dissect and create a flower diagram from real flowers to take home while supplies last.
Free with Admission
|
0 events,
|
0 events,
|
5 events,
-
Join a naturalist for a guided hike along Brown Mountain in Tucson Mountain Park. Explore the natural history of the Brown Mountain area at the western edge of Tucson Mountain Park. Hike among Saguaros to get a closer look at the interesting and diverse flora and fauna that helps make the Sonoran Desert so unique....
Free
-
Join this Desert Defenders event to help make seed pellets using native seeds that will later be used to improve the health of our desert ecosystem. Estrella Mountain Regional Park October 3 8 am – 11:30 am Meet at the Nature Center. Participants will learn to make pellets by mixing native seeds with clay, soil/compost,...
Free with Park Fee
-
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. DIRECTIONS: Historic Canoa Ranch, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley 85622 From Tucson - Take 1-19 south to exit 56 - Canoa Road. Go...
Free
|
6 events,
-
Join our community effort to restore Tanque Verde Creek! We invite people of all ages, diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, beliefs, and many other diverse communities to participate in restoring our heritage of seasonal and year-round water flows. Come work with WMG staff and other River Run Network volunteers at these 2 - 4 hour workshops in...
Free
-
Explore the seldom seen north end of Lake Pleasant with Ranger Derik and be rewarded with sweeping views of cacti and towering mountains. The hike will cover 5 miles and...
Free with Park Fee
-
This is a free event for avid gardeners, people looking to grow their first plant, and everyone in-between! Speakers giving Free Classes Information Booths for Local Resources Plant Sale Education for Adults and Children Children's Activities Planting Booth Animal Ambassadors by Liberty Wildlife and Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary. Meet and learn about reptiles and birds of prey!
Free
|
3 events,
-
Join us for a stroll along the Santa Cruz River to discover the seasonal rhythm of the desert. Phenology is nature’s calendar – the timing of annual life-cycle events that are influenced by climate and weather, like blooming, migration, and nesting. Join us for a stroll along the Santa Cruz River as we gather data...
Free
-
The UA Campus Arboretum is home to many trees and plants that provide us with delicious and nutritious food. Some have been imported from other parts of the world and others have been here for thousands of years. Join us for a specially curated tour of the Edibles! After you register you will receive a...
Free
-
Join Ranger Jacque for a scenic hike, where we'll uncover the secrets of the mighty saguaro and its place in the desert ecosystem. Experience the beauty of the desert at sunset on this saguaro walk! This 1.3-mile loop along the Little Leaf and Goldmine Trails offers the perfect setting to learn about the towering saguaros...
Free with Park Fee
|
|
0 events,
|
1 event,
-
|
1 event,
-
Help us fill our seed packets for the seed library, hear from Master Gardeners, ask questions about your home garden, & learn about Earth Heart Park and Community Garden! Ages 12 and up are welcome; no registration is required. Help us fill our seed packets for the seed library, hear from Master Gardeners, ask questions...
Free
|
4 events,
-
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy/moderate terrain hike to see plant life that may have been invigorated by any monsoon rains. Join Ranger Nikki on an easy-paced hike to observe...
Free with Park Fee
-
Interested in learning more about cacti? Learn and ask your cactus questions to Ranger Eric. Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station at the Nature Center. Nearby there are live examples of a variety of cacti to see along the trails and around the...
Free with Park Fee
-
Master Gardener Lecture with Q & A
Free
|
5 events,
-
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy/moderate terrain hike to see plant life that may have been invigorated by any monsoon rains and butterflies searching for food. Ranger Nikki will lead you on a hike to look for blooming vegetation and pollinators such as butterflies, beetles and bees that may be visiting flowers. Learn how to...
Free with Park Fee
-
Explore a 2-to-3-mile section of the Anza Trail during an easy, level interpretive hike. Learn about the cultural and natural history of the Santa Cruz Valley. Travel on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail to the area of La Canoa where the expedition to found San Francisco camped after leaving Tubac Presidio in...
$5
-
Interested in learning more about cacti? Learn and ask your cactus questions to Ranger Eric. Come learn about cacti of the Sonoran Desert and Phoenix area! Ranger Eric will host this discovery station at the Nature Center. Nearby there are live examples of a variety of cacti to see along the trails and around the...
Free with Park Fee
|
8 events,
-
Join our community effort to restore Tanque Verde Creek! We invite people of all ages, diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, beliefs, and many other diverse communities to participate in restoring our heritage of seasonal and year-round water flows. Come work with WMG staff and other River Run Network volunteers at these 2 - 4 hour workshops in...
Free
-
Learn more about the gardening growing seasons and the foundations of growing in Arizona with Master Gardener Pam Shields. This program supports the City of Mesa’s Climate Action Plan (MCAP), a Mayor and Council priority initiative to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, build resilience in our community, and address the negative outcomes of a changing climate....
Free
-
The City of Goodyear Water Services presents this watering workshop. Instructor: Jon Manning
Free
|
2 events,
-
Plants have been used as medicine for hundreds, if not thousands of years. They are part of the history and lore of almost every society on earth. Join us to learn how these plants—from the Sonoran Desert and elsewhere--have been traditionally used to treat different ailments, diseases and other conditions.
Free
-
This talk will examine the use of plants and other organisms such as algae and fungi traditionally grouped with plants as evidence in criminal investigations. Starting with the wood grain...
Free
|
|
0 events,
|
2 events,
-
Get out and explore the more remote parts of the park with Ranger and hunt for the many cacti species that call the park home. The hike is rated as...
Free with Park Fee
-
The Catalina Garden Club is a staff-led gardening, composting, sustainability focused collaborative group. Members will learn about desert and container gardening, hear some guest speakers, get hands on experience with some local flora, etc. in a relaxed atmosphere of sharing and caring.
Free
|
0 events,
|
10 events,
-
Join a naturalist-guided walk along Big Wash in Oro Valley, on an easy- to moderate-level trail. In addition to great views of the Santa Catalina Mountains, this area is designated an important wildlife corridor, so we’ll keep an eye out for native birds such as Gila woodpeckers and cactus wrens, and other desert wildlife Trekking...
Free
-
Spend the morning hiking through cactus covered hills and learn about the ecology of the Sonoran Desert with Ranger Derik. The hike will cover 3 miles out and back along the State trail on relatively flat trail with a few short rocky sections. Hikers should bring 1-2 liters of water and come prepared for the...
Free with Park Fee
-
Join Ranger Kevin for an informative hike about the history and significance of this vital desert river. The Gila River has a storied past, a tenuous present, and perhaps a hopeful future. We’ll discuss the importance of rivers like the Gila to the health and diversity of desert life as we explore the riparian habitat...
Free with Park Fee
|
2 events,
-
What makes a tree the best choice for your landscape? Consider what you want in a tree. Do you want lifespan, shade, form, evergreen, flower? These are characteristics to consider when choosing that perfect desert landscape tree. Learn about many under-appreciated gems, and how to choose, plant and care for that special tree. Gardeners of all experience levels are welcome....
Free
-
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...
Free
|
15 events,
-
Join our community effort to restore Tanque Verde Creek! We invite people of all ages, diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, beliefs, and many other diverse communities to participate in restoring our heritage of seasonal and year-round water flows. Come work with WMG staff and other River Run Network volunteers at these 2 - 4 hour workshops in...
Free
-
This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive. Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of walk.
Free
-
Join us as we hike part way up this extinct volcano, to enjoy spectacular views of the aspens on the San Francisco Peaks. What you'll need: Transportation to and from the trailhead, water, snacks, sun protection, and shoes for hiking. Please no dogs on this adventure. How to get there: from Flagstaff, take Highway 180 north...
Free
|
2 events,
-
Join us for a stroll along the Santa Cruz River to discover the seasonal rhythm of the desert. Phenology is nature’s calendar – the timing of annual life-cycle events that are influenced by climate and weather, like blooming, migration, and nesting. Join us for a stroll along the Santa Cruz River as we gather data...
Free
-
Landscaping in the 21st Century in the desert can be challenging, but this tour demonstrates how you can have a water-wise, low-maintenance but beautiful yard and garden. We will focus on the plantings right around the Old Main Building, UA’s oldest and most historic building. After you register you will receive a confirmation email with detailed...
Free
|
3 events,
-
Dig in, de-stress, and grow something beautiful with our hands-on gardening program for adults! Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or just curious about starting your first herb pot, this outdoor program offers practical gardening skills in a relaxed, social setting.
Free
-
Make a beeline for this class buzzing with creativity. Investigate the tiny world of bugs and plants through handmade creations in clay. Participants will learn how to turn pinch pots, slabs and coils into creative creepy-crawly keepsakes. All supplies, including clay, are provided. Participants must be picked up inside at the end of class. Parents...
$65
-
During our cool season the weather is great, the insects and annoying critters are less active, watering frequency declines, and the vegetables have higher nutritional value than warm season vegetables. So go for it! Learn about both in- ground and raised bed approaches, and the key steps to successful vegetable and herb gardening in the cool...
Free
|
7 events,
-
Spend the morning hiking through the desert with Ranger Jacque and learn about the many medicinal and edible plants that can be found in your own backyard. Participants will hike for 3 miles through rolling hills and sandy washes on the North Loop trail. The trail is rated as easy and only has a few...
Free with Park Fee
-
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...
Free
-
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...
Free
|
8 events,
-
Join Ranger Jacque for a scenic walk, where we'll uncover the secrets of the mighty saguaro and its place in the desert ecosystem. Experience the beauty of the desert on this saguaro walk! This 1.5-mile loop walk along the Black Rock Trail offers the perfect setting to learn about the towering saguaros and the wildlife...
Free with Park Fee
-
Join Tucson Bird Alliance for a garden bird walk at Tohono Chul! This popular destination near the intersection of Ina and Oracle Roads has cultivated gardens, art exhibits and winding trails with many typical birds of the Sonoran Desert and its suburban habitats. Hummingbirds, in particular, flock to the gardens to enjoy the abundance of flowers....
Free
-
A late morning walk and talk about the interconnectedness of desert wildlife with Ranger Shaun. Come alone for a walk through the desert as we have a look at various plants (and hopefully animals) and discuss their many roles on the grand stage of the desert's ecosystem. How each plays a small (or large) part...
Free with Park Fee
|
2 events,
-
This program invites preschoolers and their caregivers to explore the exciting world of STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. *Space and supplies are limited! 10/23: Pumpkins: Follow the life cycle of a pumpkin, test whether it sinks or floats, and create a pumpkin craft.
Free
-
Digging in the mud has never been so much fun as you build garden-inspired creations with clay. Experiment with basic hand building techniques to form berry bowls, leaf-shaped trinket trays and pinch pot planters. Practice your pottery skills while taking inspiration from plants. Participants must be picked up inside at the end of class. Parents...
$65
|
5 events,
-
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy to moderate hike to learn about the fascinating plant life in our Sonoran Desert. Join Ranger Nikki on a hike to learn about desert plants, shrubs and legume trees including bursage, palo verde and creosote and any monsoon vegetation that may be flourishing. The route uses Blevins, Spillway, Levee...
Free with Park Fee
-
Join Ranger Jacque for a guided hike along the Wild Burro Trail, where we’ll explore the desert and uncover some of the hidden mysteries of the Sonoran landscape — including the chance to spot wild burros! Take a scenic 3-mile hike with Ranger Jacque on the Wild Burro Trail. As we walk, we’ll uncover some...
Free with Park Fee
-
Explore the world of pumpkins and bats through engaging activities that spark imagination and learning. Perfect for young minds ready to discover and create! Join us for STEAM Jr. every fourth Friday and discover simple Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) concepts through interactive learning centers. This program is appropriate for ages 2 – 5...
Free
|
6 events,
-
Join our community effort to restore Tanque Verde Creek! We invite people of all ages, diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, beliefs, and many other diverse communities to participate in restoring our heritage of seasonal and year-round water flows. Come work with WMG staff and other River Run Network volunteers at these 2 - 4 hour workshops in...
Free
-
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy to moderate walk to explore riparian and desert trails at the preserve. Learn about the plants and animals of the preserve’s riparian and desert areas on a 3-mile guided walk with Ranger Nikki. The route follows the easy terrain of Palm Loop, Mesquite Meander, Lion’s and River Ramble Trails...
Free with Park Fee
-
How can we have a lush but water-wise garden in the middle of a densely populated city? Join us at the Environment and Natural Resources 2 Building (ENR2), a LEED Platinum certified structure to learn how to create your own urban oasis. Please note: this tour is given on Saturday mornings and we meet in...
Free
|
2 events,
-
This will be a "moderate" difficulty-level two mile hike through the Papago Preserve. The ranger guiding the hike will teach you about flora, fauna, and geological features of the southwest desert. The hike will start at 8:00am on Sunday, October 26th. Come prepared with weather-appropriate clothing, plenty of water, and closed-toe shoes. Parking/meeting note: We will...
Free
-
What do plants have to do with the history of the University of Arizona? Everything. This tour traces the story of Arizona’s oldest university from its beginning in the 1890’s to the present through its trees—and what a story they have to tell! After you register you will receive a confirmation email with detailed information...
Free
|
|
0 events,
|
1 event,
-
Arizona wildflowers are stunning—but also unpredictable. What makes one year a spectacular bloom and another a disappointment? And how can you improve your chances of growing wildflowers successfully in your own landscape? Join this Master Gardener presentation to explore the secrets behind wildflower success and learn practical tips to bring more color to your garden....
Free
|
2 events,
-
Let's walk the lovely Scenic trail and have a look at the local ecosystem. We'll examine and identify plants and animals we see (or try to, at least) and talk about how they interact to make our desert unique. This roughly 4-mile medium difficultly hike will take us down the aptly named Scenic trail which...
Free with Park Fee
-
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Wild Chile Botanical Area, home to over 25 different crop wild relatives (native progenitors of cultivated plants) including some of the northernmost populations of chiltepin in the world. Join renowned ethnobotanist Gary Nabhan, along with representatives from ASDM, Native Seeds/SEARCH, and Borderlands Restoration for a salon-style discussion considering the...
$10 – $15
|
1 event,
-
Join this Desert Defenders event to help spread native seeds and improve the health of our desert ecosystem. Cave Creek Regional Park October 30, 2025 8 am – 11:00 am Meet at the Nature Center. It is time to toss our seed pellets! Join us! We will fling native seed pellets created early this year...
Free with Park Fee
|
4 events,
-
The Devil’s Playground: Exploring a Crazy Landscape October 31, 2025 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm MST Instructor: Christa Sadler Petrified Forest National Park is one of the most interesting landscapes in the world. Geologically, the deposits of petrified wood and colored rocks tell an incredible story of this region more than 200 million years ago. Ancient peoples have called this...
$150 – $185
-
Learn about the incredible plants and animals of our Sonoran Desert during this hike with Ranger Nikki. Ranger Nikki will point out a variety of plants, cacti, birds, lizards and more as you learn how these organisms adapt and survive in our extreme desert climate. We will also visit some of the tallest saguaros in...
Free with Park Fee
-
Join this Desert Defenders event to help spread native seeds and improve the health of our desert ecosystem October 31 8 am – 11:00 am Meet at the Nature Center. It is time to toss our seed pellets! Join us! We will fling native seed pellets created early this year into the desert of Maricopa...
Free with Park Fee
|
4 events,
-
Join this Desert Defenders event to help spread native seeds and improve the health of our desert ecosystem November 1, 2025 8 am – 11:00 am Meet at the Nature Center It is time to toss our seed pellets! Join us! We will fling native seed pellets created early this year into the desert of...
Free with Park Fee
-
Learn about some of the 50 medicinal plants in Mission Garden's Moore Medicinal Garden. The plants are native to the American Southwest deserts and in many cases have been used for millennia. Modern herbalists are keeping this tradition alive at Mission Garden. The walk will be led by Apryl Krause, one of the local herbalists...
$10.00
-
Walking through the desert gives you half the story. There is a hidden world of nocturnal critters. If you look carefully, you can see the evidence of their middens, burrows, and holes. What else is concealed around you? Let us unlock those mysteries on the Camino Campana Trail and reveal the hidden desert. Restrooms are...
Free
|
2 events,
-
In the Land of Color: An Exploration of Petrified Forest’s Wilderness Loop Through the Black Forest November 2, 2025 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm MST Instructor: Christa Sadler Petrified Forest National Park is known as one of the best records of Late Triassic paleontology and geology in the world; important new finds are being made regularly here. But the thing...
$150 – $185
-
The best of the Sonoran Desert can be found right here in the heart of Tucson! We will visit the Joseph Wood Krutch Garden, home to many fine specimens of Sonoran Natives, and learn what makes them perfect for our own yards and gardens. After you register you will receive a confirmation email with detailed...
Free
|
