Out and About in Pima County
Program information – Phone: 520-724-5375
or email Environmental Education
Nature Walk at Maeveen Behan Desert Sanctuary
Enjoy a naturalist-guided walk through Sonoran Desert habitat on mostly-level trails and learn about the diverse plants and wildlife that inhabit the area. All ages welcome. Free with Membership, Non-Member $5 fee. Online registration required. Arthur Pack Regional Park, 9101 N. Thornydale Road, 85742
Saturday, February 8 • 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Animal Attraction and the Mating Game
Attracting a mate is an important part of life in the animal world. Explore how animals use scent, sound, color, and impressive displays to catch the attention of potential mates. All ages welcome. Free. Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr Branch Library, 7800 N. Schisler Drive, 85743
Saturday, February 8 • 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Full Moon Wander
Join a Pima County naturalist to send off the sun and welcome the full moon. Nature reveals another side in the night hours; there is always something to discover! Dress for the weather, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring water and a flashlight. Ages 12 and up. Free with Membership, Non-Member $5 fee. Online registration required. Feliz Paseos Park, 1600 N. Camino de Oeste, 85745
Sunday, February 9 • 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Animal Attraction and the Mating Game
Attracting a mate is an important part of life in the animal world. Explore how animals use scent, sound, color, and impressive displays to catch the attention of potential mates. All ages welcome. Free. Valencia Library, 202 W. Valencia Road, 85706
Saturday, February 15 • 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Birding Feliz Paseos Park
Bird the urban paradise of Feliz Paseos Park to observe birds of the Sonoran Desert. All ages welcome. Free with Membership. Non-member $5 fee. Online registration required. Feliz Paseos Park, 1600 N. Camino de Oeste, 85745
Tuesday, February 18 • 8:00-9:30 a.m.
Santa Cruz River Walk
Take a guided stroll along the flowing Santa Cruz River on the Loop to discover the effects of water on desert habitats. All ages welcome. $5.00 (Resident) | $6.50 (Non-Resident) | Free for Pima County Members. Online registration required. Group meets in front of Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr Branch Library, 7800 N. Schisler Drive, 85743. For more information: www.maranaaz.gov/recreation, or 520-382-1950.
Sunday, February 23 • 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Birding Maeveen Behan Desert Sanctuary
Enjoy a guided bird walk through the beautiful Sonoran Desert habitat of Maeveen Behan Desert Sanctuary. This site is excellent for Gilded Flicker and many other desert birds. All ages welcome. Free with Membership, Non-Member $5 fee. Online registration required. Arthur Pack Regional Park, 9101 N. Thornydale Road, 85742
Tuesday, February 25 • 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Living River of Words Youth Poetry and Art Exhibit
Local children share their view of the natural world in this exhibition of award winning poetry and mixed media art. All ages welcome. Free
January 7 – February 27: Joyner-Green Valley Library, 601 N. La Canada Drive 85614
Workshop: Hiking Pima County for Beginners
Are you new to Pima County, new to hiking in the desert, or looking for local trails you haven’t explored yet? This indoor workshop will cover the basics hiking safety, introduce you to plants and animals you might see along the trail, and offer ideas for beginner-level hikes in Pima County. Ages 10 and up. Free. Registration not required. Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr Branch Library, 7800 N. Schisler Dr. 85743.
Monday, March 2 • 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Guided Birding Tour at the El Rio Preserve
El Rio Preserve is a birding hotspot that is an interesting mix of Sonoran Desert and riparian habitats. It is a magnet for waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, herons, egrets, and much more. All ages welcome. $5.00 (Resident) | $6.50 (Non-Resident). Online registration required through Marana, www.maranaaz.gov/recreation or 520-382-1950. El Rio Preserve, 10191 N. Coachline Blvd. 85743.
Tuesdays, March 3 and April 7, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
Sweetwater Preserve Hike for Beginners
Explore one of Pima County’s hidden gems: Sweetwater Preserve, an 880-acre, multi-use natural area located in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains. Join us for a guided, 2-3-mile, beginner-level hike on well-maintained trails with low to moderate elevation gain. New to hiking in the desert? When you register, you’ll receive a quick guide for how to prepare and what to bring. Ages 10 and up. $5 fee. Online registration required. Sweetwater Preserve, 4001 N. Tortolita Rd. 85745.
Thursday, March 5, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Gardening for Birds and Butterflies
Want to attract birds and butterflies to your yard? Learn which native and arid-adapted plants, and other elements to include in your landscape to provide attractive wildlife friendly habitat. All ages welcome. Free. Registration not required. Valencia Library, 202 W. Valencia Rd. 85706.
Saturday, March 7, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Full Moon Wander
Join a Pima County naturalist to walk the loop trail at El Rio Preserve as the full moon rises. Nature reveals another side in the night hours; there is always something to discover! Dress for the weather, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring water and a flashlight. Ages 12 and up. $5.00 (Resident) | $6.50 (Non-Resident). Online registration required through Marana, www.maranaaz.gov/recreation or 520-382-1950. El Rio Preserve 10190 N. Coachline Blvd. 85743.
Monday, March 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 7, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Venomous and Poisonous Animals of Arizona
Learn about the biology and adaptations of some of Arizona’s amazing creatures including rattlesnakes, scorpions, spiders, Gila monsters, and toads. All ages welcome. Free. Registration not required. Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr Branch Library, 7800 N. Schisler Dr. 85743.
Saturday, March 14, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Nature Walk at Maeveen Behan Desert Sanctuary
Enjoy a naturalist-guided walk through Sonoran Desert habitat on mostly-level trails and learn about the diverse plants and wildlife that inhabit the area. All ages welcome. $5 fee. Online registration required. Arthur Pack Regional Park, 9101 N. Thornydale Rd. 85742.
Saturday, March 21, 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Introduction to Ethnobotany
The desert is a veritable marketplace. Learn what desert plants have been traditionally used as food and fiber. Explore the harvesting calendar and practices then sample some desert delicacies. All ages welcome. Free. Registration not required. Valencia Library, 202 W. Valencia Rd. 85706.
Saturday, March 21, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Santa Cruz River Walk
Take a guided stroll along the flowing Santa Cruz River on the Loop to discover the effects of water on desert habitats. All ages welcome. $5.00 (Resident) | $6.50 (Non-Resident). Online registration required through Marana, www.maranaaz.gov/recreation or 520-382-1950. Group meets in front of Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr Branch Library, 7800 N. Schisler Dr. 85743.
Sundays, March 22 and April 26, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Birding KERP
Take a stroll with birding expert Jeff Babson to spot wetland and desert birds in the urban habitats of Kino Environmental Restoration Project (KERP) at Sam Lena Park. All ages welcome. $5 fee. Online registration required. Sam Lena Park/KERP, 3400 S. Country Club Rd. 85713.
Tuesday, March 24, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
The Secret Lives of Pollinators
Explore the relationship between plants and their pollinators and discover how heavily we rely on pollinators in our everyday lives. Learn why many of our native pollinators are in peril and what you can do to help. All ages welcome. Free. Registration not required. Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr. Branch Library, 7800 N. Schisler Dr. 85743.
Saturday, April 11, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Birding Cienega Creek
Join Jeff Babson on this guided walk to observe the rich birdlife in the diverse habitats of Cienega Creek Natural Preserve. Spring migration is underway so will be a lot of birds! All ages welcome. $5 fee. Online registration required. Gabe Zimmerman Davidson Canyon Trailhead at Cienega Creek Natural Preserve, 16000 E. Marsh Station Rd. 85641.
Tuesday, April 14, 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Cactus Hike
Enjoy the showy flowers of our local cacti and learn about their ecology and uses during a 2½-3 mile, easy to moderate level hike, along desert trails at Sweetwater Preserve. Ages 12 and up. $5 fee. Online registration required. Pima County Sweetwater Preserve, 4000 N. Tortolita Rd. 85745.
Saturday, April 25 7:30-10:30 a.m.
Living River of Words Youth Poetry and Art Exhibit
Local children share their view of the natural world in this exhibition of award winning poetry and mixed media art. All ages welcome. Free. Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr. Library, 7800 N. Schisler Dr. 85743.
April 18 – May 29