UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT AGUA CALIENTE PARK

Pima County Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Activities Announcements for additional events and detail (includes other Natural Resources Parks/Events):

NATURAL WONDERS IN THE PARK (Agua Caliente Park Specific-includes a couple non-Agua Caliente Park)  - July 2009        (See Below for August 2009 Programs)

Wake Up with the Birds

What: Desert meets water at this unique crossroads for migratory and resident birds. Spot wetland birds, hummingbirds, songbirds and raptors nestled among the mesquites and palm trees. Binoculars are available for use or bring your own.
Date: Every Tuesday in July
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Dragonflies and Damselflies

What: They are strange and fascinating, living part of their lives in water before they take to flight. Come and observe these jewels of the desert oasis. Activity is best suited for children ages 5-12 accompanied by adults.
Date: Saturday, July 11
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road
Cost/Age: free, ages 5-12 accompanied by adult
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Tree-Rings, Hunting, and Migrants:  The Evidence from Whiptail Ruin

Old Pueblo Archaeology Center's "Third Thursday" Presentation.  Learn about the Whiptail Ruins near Agua Caliente Park.  In this talk, Linda Gregonis will discuss the archaeological evidence from this site and describe the challenges of working with this nearly 40-year-old data and field notes that were amassed by avocationalists and archaeological students for the Whiptail project.
Date:  Thursday July 16
Time:  7:30 to 9 p.m.
Where:  Old Pueblo Archaeology Center, 2201 W. 44th Street, Tucson
Cost:  Free

Click on the link for more information:  

Chill-out Family Excursion: Watchable Wildlife

What: Observing wildlife it is not as easy as it seems... learn the art of careful observation on a cool mountaintop. This program is open to children ages 5 and up, accompanied by adults. Reservations required. Fee $10 per family.
Date: Saturday, July 18
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Mt. Lemmon Community Center, 12949 North Sabino Canyon Parkway
Mount Lemmon, AZ 85619
Cost/Age: $10 per family, children ages 5 and up, accompanied by adults.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations required.

Cooking with Mesquite

What: Unlock the mysteries of baking with mesquite. Learn about the history of this native tree and the proper ways to gather and process mesquite pods. Nutritionist and cooking instructor Deb Hilbert will lead us in the preparation of foods made with locally harvested and milled mesquite flour. Reservations required. Fee $15.
Date: Saturday, July 25
Time: 9:00 a.m. - noon
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road
Cost/Age: $15, ages 12 and up
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations required. 

Sonoran Desert Kids Club: Monsoon Animals

What: Thunder, lightning and rain bring the dry summer desert to life. Desert toads and other animals emerge to feed, breed and grow during the monsoon season of rain. Come and look for these creatures before they disappear for another year. Activity is best suited for children ages 5-12 accompanied by adults.
Date: Saturday, July 25
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road
Cost/Age: free, ages 5-12 accompanied by adults
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Insects: The Dominant and Fascinating Microworld

What: We encounter insects every day but since we know little about them they are often misunderstood. Join U of A “Bugman” Carl Olson as he shares incredible stories of the little animals of the Sonoran Desert. After the indoor presentation we will explore the park in search of insects that are active during the monsoon. Reservations required.
Date: Friday, July 31
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations required.

NATURAL WONDERS IN THE PARK (Agua Caliente Park Specific-includes a couple non-Agua Caliente Park)  - August 2009

Wake Up with the Birds

What: Desert meets water at this unique crossroads for migratory and resident birds. Spot wetland birds, hummingbirds, songbirds and raptors nestled among the mesquites and palm trees. Binoculars are available for use or bring your own.
Date: Every Tuesday in August
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Tarantulas and Toads On The Move

What: Sonoran Desert wildlife spring to life with the arrival of the summer monsoon. Enjoy a close up look at live desert critters following an engaging digital slide presentation.
Date: Friday, August 7
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Mt. Lemmon Birding with Rick Taylor

What: Join master birder Rick Taylor for a day of birding on Mt Lemmon. Rick is the founder of Borderland Tours, and author of A Birder’s Guide to Southeastern Arizona. Participants will visit several habitats. Reservations are required. Fee $20.
Date: Friday, August 14
Time: 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Mt. Lemmon, 12949 N. Sabino Canyon Parkway, Mount Lemmon, AZ 85619
Cost/Age: $20, ages 12 and up
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations required.

Mt. Lemmon Medicinal Plants with Charlie Kane

What: Medicinal plant expert Charlie Kane, author of Herbal Medicine of the American Southwest, will discuss the many therapeutic uses of our high elevation trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. Reservations are required. Fee $10.
Date: Friday, August 21
Time: 8:00 a.m. – noon
Where: Mt. Lemmon, 12949 North Sabino Canyon Parkway, Mount Lemmon, AZ 85619
Cost/Age: $10, ages 12 and up
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations required.

Sonoran Desert Kids Club: Prickly Pear Harvest

What: Come with us into the desert to collect the juicy red fruits of the prickly pear cactus. We will make punch and enjoy the bounty of the desert in summer. Reservations required.
Date: Saturday, August 22
Time: 10:00 a.m. – noon
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road
Cost/Age: free, kids ages 5-12 and their families
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations required.

Mt. Lemmon Wildflowers with Meg Quinn

What: Learn to identify the profusion of high elevation, post-monsoon wildflowers in the cool forests and meadows above 7,000 feet with Pima County naturalist Meg Quinn, and author of Wildflowers of the Mountain Southwest. Reservations are required. Fee $10.
Date: Friday, August 28
Time: 8:00 a.m. – noon
Where: Mt. Lemmon, 12949 North Sabino Canyon Parkway, Mount Lemmon, AZ 85619
Cost/Age: $10, ages 12 and up
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations required.

CULTURAL/HISTORIC LECTURE SERIES (Monthly):
The Lecture Series has concluded for the 2008-2009 season.  See you later this year for the next season (2009-2010). 

                                  

For information contact: Pima County Natural Resources Parks and Recreation at (520) 615-7855, or email eeducation@pima.gov.  Volunteer-led activities are subject to change or cancellation.

Other Activities

Historic Ranch House Hours:  See below for Ranch House hours and Art Gallery Artists.  Phone:  749-3718 for actual hours or any questions. 

Audubon Nature Shop Hours:  Tues only July-August.  Call for specific hours -- Phone: (520) 760-7881.

Ranch House Gallery Artists (2009)

Agua Caliente Park Ranch House Gallery

What: Tucson’s River of Words Youth Poetry and Art Traveling Exhibit. See how the local children express their understandings of watershed and share their view of the natural world in this exhibition of award winning poetry and mixed media art.   
Date: July 9 – August 5
Agua Caliente Park Ranch House Hours: May – October: Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov

Agua Caliente Park Ranch House Gallery

What:  “Abstracts and Landscapes”, acrylic and oil paintings on canvas and paper by Joan Scott.
Date: August 7 – September 16
Agua Caliente Park Ranch House Hours: May – October: Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov