The Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park (EOP) is open to public bird watching tours on Sunday mornings year round. Group size is limited to 15 people, first come, first served. Arrive before the starting time (7:00am) to sign a waiver and secure a spot. The 2-2.5 hours walk is behind locked gates and you must [...]

Join us on this ride up Axle Grease to West Express, Hawknest, and Basalt Ridge, ending with an exciting flowy downhill on Hawknest back to the trailhead. This is an intermediate skills and moderate cardio ride. Please, no road bikes, hybrids, or folding bikes. All our rides are “no drop,” meaning we will not leave [...]

The Legacy Tour will introduce visitors to the rich 100-year history of Boyce Thompson Arboretum and further appreciation of this land and its legacy. Tour participants will receive a BTA Centennial commemorative pin as a gift at the end of the tour. This tour will follow the Main Trail and is on unpaved trails in [...]

Take a gentle 2.5 mile walk with an interpretive guide through the Sonoita Creek riparian area Birding Trail. Visitors will learn about the park's history and ecology of this unique and fragile natural area.

Join a ranger on a ~1 mile, mostly paved, walk through some of the most biodiverse terrain in central Arizona. A combination of plant communities and habitats surrounding the world’s largest travertine bridge supports a wide variety of bird species that call the park home and we will be searching for. Meets between the Waterfall [...]

In this tech-driven world, it's no surprise that kids see more screen than green. Wildlife Explorers makes it cool to be an outsider with educational outdoor play. Explorers learn to experience the natural world around them through creative group games and activities. From weather to insects to birds, a world of exploration awaits outdoors.

What better way to kick off the spring than a sunset and night hike down Slate trail with Ranger Shaun? Look for scorpions along the trail, watch for bats overhead, listen for owls and nighthawk! Who knows what you might encounter in the desert in the dark? This will be a guided hike down the [...]

Meet for a bird walk at Gilbert Riparian Preserve, at the west end of the parking lot at 6:00 a.m.; social time at Coffee Rush starts at 7:30 a.m.. 

  This project has a history of 36 years --  the first Riparian Specialist hired by the Tonto National Forest knew the value of repeat photography in documenting resource conditions.  He had the foresight to initiate a riparian photopoint program in 1988 --  finding important reaches of streamside vegetation and taking clear photographs of the [...]

Bird walk at the San Pedro House led by docents from the Friends of the San Pedro River and other local organizations.

Visit Historic Canoa Ranch, a birding hotspot in Pima County. Explore the pond, cienega, and desert at Historic Canoa Ranch, as we search for waterfowl, sparrows, finches, and many other birds.

Hike the Pipeline Trail with Ranger Derik to learn about the many plants that can be eaten in the desert and about the native peoples that first harvested them. Click program title for more details. We will hike 2.5 miles out and back of the pipeline canyon trail starting from the cottonwood day use area. [...]

Join Volunteers Jim & Judy on the back patio of the Nature Center for a bird meetup! Click program title for more details. Join volunteers Jim & Judy on the back patio of the Nature Center as they observe and identify the various birds at our bird feeders. They will also venture out on a [...]

Join Ranger Kevin on an easy-moderate hike to look for wildflowers and other blooming plants, as well as butterflies. Click program title for more details. Join Ranger Kevin for a 2.1-mile hike along the Moonlight, Stargazer and San Tan trails as we set off in search of wildflowers, blooming trees, shrubs and cacti as well [...]

Need an activity to keep the kids busy this spring break? Drop in on Ranger Kevin and get started in the County Park system’s Junior Ranger program. Click program title for more details. Come see Ranger Kevin between 11:30am-1pm to learn everything you need to know about the Junior Ranger program! He’ll get you set [...]

With warmer weather coming the spiders and scorpions are going the be showing back up. Come visit with Ranger Shaun at his Tarantula Discovery Station! Click program title for more details. Interested in arachnids? Spooked by spiders? Maybe you just want to learn a little more about your friendly neighborhood creepy crawly. Swing by Ranger Shaun’s [...]

Want to learn how you can connect with nature? Join Ranger Kevin for an introduction to Silent Walking and Sit Spots. Click program title for more details. Join Ranger Kevin as we learn how to make - or strengthen - our connection with nature through the practice of Silent Walking and Sit Spots. This is [...]

“Over the Hump” Mountain Bike Ride:  Interrupt your work week with a good ole fashioned trail ride.  Trails are flowy with some moderate climbs and downhill descents, a few technical areas: advanced-beginner to Intermediate skill level. First trail spin at night? Our rides are No Drop.  Bring mountain or gravel bike, helmet, lights (at least [...]

Invasive species are among the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]

Hike with Ranger Derik through pristine Riparian habitat and learn about the many plants and animals that call the Sonoran Desert home. Click on program title for more details.   The hike will be roughly 2 miles and include sections of River Ramble and Lykes Lookout Trails taking you from riparian habitat and transitioning you [...]

Free event, open to the public (weather permitting). Starts outside the Visitor Center, then walks the Peninsula Trail (paved), and the Delta Trail (unpaved). Be prepared to talk about 1.5 miles outdoors. Remember to wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers, and bring water. Directions:  From Lake Havasu City: Travel approximately 17 miles south on Hwy [...]

Watch and interact with fossil preparators as they prepare paleontological specimens found throughout Petrified Forest National Park. Open to the public every Thursday, everyone is invited to observe this fascinating and painstaking process, ask questions, and learn more about the fossils found here. All ages are welcome. Located on the northeast side of the Painted [...]

Welcome to the sport of Flying! If you have ever wanted to learn how to get into one of the most challenging, yet rewarding methods of fishing, then this class is for you! Participant will learn the basics of equipment, rigging lines and flys, and the most challenging part... casting your fly! All equipment will [...]

Maintenance Tutorial - this 1.5 hour maintenance and repair tutorial will take a deep dive into removal, maintenance and installation of common MTB drivetrain components. Please meet at Bike & Bean at 5 pm. Space is limited, so please RSVP. Night Ride - this intermedia difficulty group ride will leave from the Bike & Bean [...]

Our volunteer work day schedule this season continues to address IFNM needs and fencing issues related to wildlife connectivity through the Avra Valley, Altar Valley, Tucson Mountains and Tortolitas to the Catalinas. We began the fencing work several years ago in support of the Avra Valley Wildlife Connectivity Working Group. On Desert Fence Busters fence [...]

Join Ranger Kevin on an easy hike to look for wildflowers and other blooming plants, as well as butterflies. Click program title for more details. Join Ranger Kevin for a 2-mile hike along the Waterfall trail as we set off in search of wildflowers, blooming trees, shrubs and cacti as well as the butterflies that [...]

Watch and interact with fossil preparators as they prepare paleontological specimens found throughout Petrified Forest National Park. Open to the public every Thursday, everyone is invited to observe this fascinating and painstaking process, ask questions, and learn more about the fossils found here. All ages are welcome. Located on the northeast side of the Painted [...]

The areas all along Cave Creek Wash are abundant in desert flora and fauna and steeped in history. P.A. Seitts Preserve at Go John Canyon is no exception. The preserve not only holds a sensitive riparian habitat, it is also rich in archaeology, mining, and ranching history. Join us as we explore this preserve in [...]

Need an activity to keep the kids busy this spring break? Drop in on Ranger Kevin and get started in the County Park system’s Junior Ranger program. Click program title for more details. Come see Ranger Kevin between 11:00am-1:30pm to learn everything you need to know about the Junior Ranger program! He’ll get you set [...]

City Nature Challenge training! Do you like observing nature? Then make your observations count! The City Nature Challenge is a friendly worldwide competition among cities to see whose residents can spot and identify the most wildlife. Join the CNC April 26-29 and become a community  scientist!

Do you like observing nature? Then make your observations count! The City Nature Challenge is a friendly worldwide competition among cities to see whose residents can spot and identify the most wildlife. Join the CNC April 26-29 and become a community  scientist! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Invasive species are among the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]

Invasive species are among the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and increase wildfire occurrences and magnitude. Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on removing invasive species in parks. The Invasive plant species have severely impacted our park’s natural ecosystems and contributed to our most recent [...]

Join Ranger Kevin for a strenuous morning hike within the beautiful scenery of Estrella Mountain Park. Click program title for more details. Are you looking to do a challenging hike, but don’t want to go alone? Join Ranger Kevin for a 6.5-mile hike on the scenic Rainbow Valley and Toothaker trails. We’ll keep an eye [...]

Our volunteer work day schedule this season continues to address IFNM needs and fencing issues related to wildlife connectivity through the Avra Valley, Altar Valley, Tucson Mountains and Tortolitas to the Catalinas. We began the fencing work several years ago in support of the Avra Valley Wildlife Connectivity Working Group. On Desert Fence Busters fence [...]

It's a day of feathers and flora. Discover a birding haven at Veterans Oasis Park on expert-led walks by the lake, recharge basins, desert and riparian habitat to learn about resident birds, their songs and tips for identification. Sun protection, closed-toe footwear, and ample drinking water are highly recommended, binoculars provided by the CNC.

Join one of our local bird enthusiasts for a guided bird walk through the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area! These walks are for everyone: experts, novices, and people who have never gone birding in their entire life. Bring water, and wear sunscreen and shoes for walking. Loaner binoculars and field guides are available for those [...]

The nonprofit Arizona Sailing Foundation is the only school in Arizona teaching kids to sail. This class is intended for children 8 to 12 years old with no prior sailing experience. Kids Introduction to Sailing builds the skills and confidence needed to successfully rig, launch, sail, and put away an Optimist “Opti” sailboat. Students will [...]

Watch and interact with fossil preparators as they prepare paleontological specimens found throughout Petrified Forest National Park. Open to the public every Thursday, everyone is invited to observe this fascinating and painstaking process, ask questions, and learn more about the fossils found here. All ages are welcome. Located on the northeast side of the Painted [...]

Join a walking tour of the Spanish Presidio of Santa Cruz de Terrenate with FSPR docent Jeff Hustad. This fort was operational during the late 1770s, the centerpiece for a planned Spanish occupation of the San Pedro River Valley that failed. This is a three -mile round trip walk over trails and uneven ground. The [...]

The Conservancy has a mission to help sustain the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. 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. Pets are not permitted at our activities due to safety concerns. If you would like to request an accommodation [...]

Hike a majority of the parks trails as you learn about the deserts many inhabitants as you travel through riparian to Sonoran Desert landscapes. Click on program title for more details.   You will get to hike Palm lake, river ramble, mesquite meander and Lykes Lookout as we work our way through the park. The [...]

The Legacy Tour will introduce visitors to the rich 100-year history of Boyce Thompson Arboretum and further appreciation of this land and its legacy. Tour participants will receive a BTA Centennial commemorative pin as a gift at the end of the tour. This tour will follow the Main Trail and is on unpaved trails in [...]