Step into the desert outdoors for half an hour of captivating storytelling, then stretch your legs with a scenic walk through the nearby Saguaro Hill Preserve. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the desert while learning about the natural and cultural history of this unique landscape. Be sure to bring water, sun protection, and a [...]
Get ready for an epic day of adventure, endurance, and navigation in the rugged beauty of the Lower Salt River drainage! The Phoenix Metro Navigation Games bring together athletes and outdoor enthusiasts for a full day of running, biking, paddling, and more across the challenging desert terrain. Choose your challenge:🚵 Adventure Races: 6-hour and 12-hour [...]
Celebrate our community’s deep connection to nature at Nature Fest PHX—a full day of discovery, inspiration, and family fun in the great outdoors! 🌿 What to Expect: 🐾 Interactive Exhibits – get hands-on with engaging displays that bring nature to life 👩🔬 Meet Local Experts – chat with biologists, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts 🎨 Family-Friendly [...]
Join Dr. Aaron Wright from Archaeology Southwest for an enlightening history lecture on Native American petroglyph art. Explore the fascinating symbols and imagery created centuries before the United States was formed and learn about the cultural, spiritual, and historical significance of these ancient works. This presentation offers a unique opportunity to connect with the voices [...]
🌵 Desert Discovery Day – November 15, 2025 🌵 Join us for Desert Discovery Day on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Jewel of the Creek Preserve in Cave Creek! This FREE family-friendly event, hosted by Desert Foothills Land Trust, invites you to explore the Sonoran Desert ecosystem through: [...]
Cancelled due to threat of rain! Join us for a full day of exploration, learning, and fun at the Sonoran Desert during our 13th annual Desert Discovery Day! This family-friendly event is packed with hands-on activities, games, and educational experiences that let you discover the plants, animals, and unique landscapes of this incredible desert ecosystem. [...]
Family event! Join Miss Earth Arizona and Be Outdoors Arizona on a nature walk at Veterans Oasis Park Saturday! We'll be meeting at the Curved Bill Thrasher pavilion near the Chandler Nature Center. We'll take a guided hike around the park and learn about local wildlife and plants! We'll have some refreshments and some show, touch [...]
Ready to take your first steps into the world of hunting? Join us at this hands-on youth hunting camp, designed to teach the basics of predator hunting and more! 🔹 What You’ll Learn: Predator hunting fundamentals – calling, stands, and tracking Small game hunting for rabbits and desert quail Outdoor and survival skills Mentorship from [...]
Discover Nature Play at the Children’s Garden Unplug and Reconnect with Nature! Join us for Nature Play at the Children’s Garden, where families can escape the screens and dive into the wonders of the great outdoors. Every Saturday, bring your kids to explore, play, and learn using nature-based activities.
Join us for an extraordinary evening under the desert sky at the Sonoran Speaker Series: Starry Desert Nights on Tuesday, December 2nd at 6:00 PM at the Holland Center. Jenny Hall from Paradise Valley Community College will take you on a fascinating journey through the science of stars, unraveling the mysteries of our universe in [...]
How long do saguaros really live? Can you tell their age by counting their arms? Join us for an exciting evening learning about Arizona's famous saguaro cactus! Ali Schuessler from the Desert Botanical Garden will uncover the amazing adaptations these amazing desert giants, discuss common misconceptions, and share the research being done to better understand [...]
Join Arizona State Park Volunteer Lisa for a scenic, guided one-hour hike through the Sonoran Desert, where you’ll explore the plants and animals that call this remarkable landscape home. Covering approximately one mile on an easy out-and-back trail, this walk offers a relaxed pace with gentle elevation changes and a bit of loose terrain—perfect for [...]
Discover Nature Play at the Children’s Garden! Unplug and Reconnect with Nature! Join us for Nature Play at the Children’s Garden, where families can escape the screens and dive into the wonders of the great outdoors. Every Saturday, bring your kids to explore, play, and learn using nature-based activities.
Step away from the screens and into the sunshine at Nature Play in the Children’s Garden! Families are invited to slow down, get curious, and immerse themselves in the simple joys of the great outdoors. From hands-on exploration to imaginative play, this experience encourages kids (and grown-ups!) to connect with nature, spark creativity, and make [...]
Who are you calling a pig? Javelina, also known as Collared Peccaries, are actually not pigs, even though they are commonly confused with them. Join us and learn more about these highly sociable, widely distributed, and often seen animals here in Arizona! We will talk about their history, behavior, adaptations, and practical tips for peaceful coexistence [...]
Did you know Arizona is home to 29 amazing bat species? These incredible animals do far more than flutter through the night sky—they protect our crops, pollinate desert plants, and help keep our ecosystems healthy and thriving. Whether you’re a lifelong bat enthusiast or someone who’s still a little unsure about our nocturnal neighbors, this [...]
Join us for the Tumamoc Hill Youth Program, a free monthly series designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and a love of nature in young learners. Each month features a new theme, guest speaker, and hands-on art activity, making every session a fresh adventure. This Month’s Theme: Sonoran Desert Native Plants Discover the amazing plants that [...]
Join Desert Foothills Land Trust for a magical outdoor screening of Cactus Hotel, set beneath the wide-open skies of the Sonoran Desert. Inspired by the beloved children’s book Welcome to the Cactus Hotel, this charming film brings to life one towering saguaro cactus and the bustling community of desert creatures who call it home. From [...]
Join us for a fun, family-friendly event that blends science and creativity! Kick things off with a quick, kid-friendly science presentation led by Alex La Pierre of Borderlands, where children will learn about the fascinating plants that thrive in our desert landscape. Discover how native plants grow, adapt, and support life in the Sonoran Desert. [...]
Join us for the Tumamoc Hill Youth Program! This free monthly program invites youth and families to explore the natural and cultural history of the Sonoran Desert through hands-on learning, creativity, and fun. Each month features a new theme, guest speaker, and art activity, making every session a fresh experience. 🌵 Theme: Ethnobotany of the [...]
Nature lovers, rejoice! This festival showcases the plants, animals, sustainability, and ecological relationships of our local nature area. Between guided bird tours, beautiful eco-crafts, and endless discoveries to be made about Southwest wildlife, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Arizona's beautiful spring season. The festival highlights the ways humans make connections with our [...]
Did you know Arizona was once covered by oceans, rocked by volcanoes, and reshaped again and again over nearly 2 billion years? Join Dr. Steve Semken of Arizona State University for a fascinating, story-driven journey through the forces that built the landscapes we love today. With stunning visuals and easy-to-follow storytelling, you’ll travel through deep [...]
Get up close and personal with Bob the Gopher Snake and Elvis the King Snake. Learn fun facts about these fascinating reptiles along with proper handling. Drop in the first Wednesday and Friday of the month to Meet the Snakes.
Get ready to dig in and celebrate all things plants at Plant Stravaganza, a free, family-friendly community event held at the base of beautiful Tumamoc Hill! Meet local plant organizations, connect with plant experts, and learn more about the incredible plants of the Sonoran Desert—and beyond. What’s Happening Stop by the Tumamoc Historic Boathouse to [...]
Come on out to Cactus Park for a family outdoor skills festival! It's FREE! The Outdoor Fest is for kids of all ages. We will be teaching some basic outdoor skills such as pitching a tent, animal track identification, using a compass, archery and a host of other activities. Play some fun games and learn [...]
Do you love books? 📖📚A generous Tumamoc Hill community member has donated a wonderful collection of books, and we’re excited to share them with you! Join us Friday, March 13th from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM at the Tumamoc Hill Historic Boathouse for a free book swap. Browse through a variety of titles and take home something [...]
Now everyone can experience Night Camp! Twice a year, the Zoo offers camps just for families! Groups will bring and set up their own tents on the lawn outside of the Red Barn. These camps have prepared activities, plus pre-set dates and sleeping locations. All Night Camps include: Pizza dinner | Evening snack | Souvenir water bottle | Guided trail [...]
Join us for the Tumamoc Hill Youth Program! Every month brings a brand-new adventure with a fresh theme, a special guest speaker, and a hands-on art activity—all completely free! 🌞 Sonoran Desert Animal Painting Kids will enjoy a fun, bite-sized science talk with Robert Villa (Desert Laboratory & Tucson Herpetological Society), then dive into a [...]
Join us for nature-themed stories, songs, puppets and sensory activities! Kids of all ages are welcome, but is geared toward 2-7 year olds. Garden Story Time will be held rain or shine, hot or cold – location is based on conditions. Check on arrival at the Gardens. Included in Gardens admission.
We are thrilled to host the 28th Annual Hike for Hope! Your support helps us continue to provide pathways to self-sufficiency through quality employment and housing. The Worker helps guide and empower individuals to save for stable, market-rate housing while attending our critical life skills classes. Your support ensures participants receive the tools they need [...]
Want to add your event? Go to Build A Nature Walk.