Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

Birding at Agua Caliente Park
2026-06-03 07:00 - 08:30 (America/Phoenix) | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
In southern Arizona the natural world begins to think about spring in March. This walk at Agua Caliente Park offers opportunities to view our desert denizens alongside some pond-loving riparian birds. Registration recommended. Drop-ins welcome when space permits. Now free thanks to the generous support from the Friends of Agua Caliente.

Plant Propagation at Borderlands Restoration Network
2026-06-02 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-28 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-26 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-21 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-19 09:00 - 12:00 | Borderlands Nursery & Seed, 42 San Antonio Road, Patagonia, 85624, United States
Spend your morning at Borderlands Nursery & Seed with a great group of plant lovers propagating native plants that will restore the landscapes of the borderlands. Bring water and be prepared for outdoor work.

Boat Tours at Patagonia Lake State Park
2026-05-31 09:00 - 12:30, 2026-05-30 09:00 - 12:30, 2026-05-24 09:00 - 12:30, 2026-05-23 09:00 - 12:30 | Patagonia Lake, 400 Patagonia Lake Rd, Patagonia,, AZ, 85624, United States
Every Saturday and Sunday, $7 per adult, $5 per child (13 years and under)

9 a.m. Avian Adventure Tour
10:15 a.m. Avian Adventure Tour
11:30 a.m. Lake Discovery Tour
Twilight Tour on Saturdays only. Time varies.

Please call the park to make your reservation: 520-287-2791.
Boat rentals are available at the Patagonia Lake Marina.

Volunteer at the Sosa-Carillo House!
2026-05-30 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-28 10:00 - 15:00 | Sosa-Carrillo House, 151 S Granda, Tucson, AZ, 85701, United States
Los Descendientes & The Mexican American Museum could not do it without all of the help of their beloved volunteers. Join one of the volunteer committees and meet new people while helping to preserve. RSVP and fill out this form for one of these summer trainings to support the work of Los Descendientes & The Mexican American Museum. They are especially in need of docents!

ASARCO Discovery Center & Mine Tours
2026-05-30 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-29 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-28 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-27 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-23 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-22 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-21 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-20 09:30 - 10:30 | ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center, 1421 W Pima Mine Rd, Sahuarita, 85629, United States
The ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center & Mine Tours’ vision has been to educate communities on the vital importance of the copper mining industry to civilization, to educate students and teachers in earth sciences, and to preserve Arizona’s mining history.’
Join the mine tour for a firsthand look at the copper transformation process. Ticketed mine tours are approximately 65 minutes long.
Tours at 9:30 am, 11:15 am
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MINE TOUR

Closed-toed shoes are required to take the tour. No Crocs, sandals, or flip-flops will be allowed.
We suggest bringing a water bottle (filtered water station is available in the Center).
Please dress comfortably.

Tour of Historic Canoa Ranch
2026-05-30 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-05-23 09:00 - 10:30 | Historic Canoa Ranch, 5375 I-19 Frontage Rd, Green Valley, AZ, 85614
Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters. Visit the historic buildings and corrals and enjoy the special exhibits of the people of Canoa. 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 around the traffic circle until you are heading east. Turn left (north) on the east side frontage road for about ½ mile and turn at the Hacienda de la Canoa sign on your right. Please carry water and wear sturdy walking shoes.

Creatures of the Night: El Rio Preserve
2026-05-28 19:30 - 21:30 | El Rio Preserve, 10190 N. Coachline Blvd., Tucson, AZ, 85743, United States
Bats, and frogs, and snakes – oh my! Join Pima County Conservation Lands & Resources naturalists as we seek flying, slithering, and hopping creatures that come out at night.
Explore the nocturnal world using bat detectors to discover which species are flying above our heads, and flashlights to observe snakes and other creatures active during summer nights. Learn about the diversity, ecology, and conservation of these interesting nocturnal animals.

Dates: Thursdays, May 28 & June 11
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Location: El Rio Preserve, 10191 N. Coachline Blvd. Tucson 85743
Cost: $10.00 (Resident) | $12.50 (Non-Resident)
Registration: www.maranaaz.gov/recreation
For more information: www.pima.gov/CLR, EEducation@pima.gov or 520-724-5375

Creatures of the Night at El Rio
2026-05-28 19:30 - 21:30 | El Rio Preserve, 10190 N. Coachline Blvd., Tucson, AZ, 85743, United States
Bats, and frogs, and snakes – oh my! Join Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation naturalists as we seek flying, slithering, and hopping creatures that come out at night.
Explore the nocturnal world using bat detectors to discover which species are flying above our heads, and flashlights to observe snakes and other herpetofauna creatures active during summer nights.
Learn about the diversity, ecology, and conservation of these interesting nocturnal animals.
All ages encouraged.
For your safety and comfort:

Wear closed-toe shoes
Bring water & snacks
No pets please (Service dogs are OK)

Docent Led Tour
2026-05-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Empire Ranch, 16655 E. Empire Ranch Rd, Sonoita, 85637, United States
Docent Led Tour of the Empire Ranch House. 11 am to noon. Reservations are required by 5 pm the day before the tour. Click here to make a reservation. Free. Meet at the Visitor Contact Station.

Archaeology Day
2026-05-23 08:00 - 11:00 | Mission Garden, 946 W Mission Ln, Tucson, AZ, 85745
At our monthly (fourth Saturday) Archaeology Day, representatives of Tucson’s archaeology community come to Mission Garden to teach practical hands-on skills. Archaeology Southwest will be doing their Hands-on Archaeology program. It allows kids of all ages to try out fascinating ancient technologies. Old Pueblo Archaeology Center is represented at these events, also presenting interactive programs about things like pinch pots, pendants, and cordage. John Palacio speaks about and demonstrates making replicas of petroglyphs. Come join in any time between 8am and 11am.

Santa Cruz River Restoration
2026-05-20 09:00 - 11:00 | Ron Morriss Park, 31 Calle Iglesia, Tubac, AZ, 85746
Join Tucson Bird Alliance habitat restoration professionals for a Santa Cruz River Community Stewardship Event! We will be working to restore habitat along the Santa Cruz River in Tubac, starting with invasive plant removal. Monthly community restoration volunteer events will be held every third Wednesday from 9-11am, through May 2026. This project is a joint effort between the Tubac Nature Center and Tucson Bird Alliance.

Birding Canoa Ranch
2026-05-20 07:00 - 09:00 | Historic Canoa Ranch, 5375 I-19 Frontage Rd, Green Valley, AZ, 85614
Visit Historic Canoa Ranch, a birding hotspot in Pima County Canoa Ranch is a great place to do some birding. On this walk, we explore the pond, cienega, and surrounding desert of this hotspot. We expect to see an interesting combination of migrant and resident birds. 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 around the traffic circle until you are heading east. Turn left (north) on the east side frontage road for about ½ mile and turn at the Hacienda de la Canoa sign on your right. Please carry water and wear sturdy walking shoes.

Birding at Agua Caliente Park
2026-05-20 07:00 - 08:30 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
In southern Arizona the natural world begins to think about spring in March. This walk at Agua Caliente Park offers opportunities to view our desert denizens alongside some pond-loving riparian birds. Registration recommended. Drop-ins welcome when space permits. Now free thanks to the generous support of Friends of Agua Calente Park.

Turquoise Trail Tour
2026-05-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Presidio San Augstin del Tucson, 196 N Court Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85701
TURQUOISE TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
Walk Tucson’s historic Turquoise Trail—a path marked by a turquoise line painted on the sidewalk. This loop explores the heart of downtown Tucson, highlighting Spanish Colonial architecture, key historic landmarks, and stories dating back to 1775. This slightly shortened tour covers stops 1–14 on the trail before returning to the museum via Church Avenue. Pre-registration is required.
Begins and ends at the Tucson Presidio Museum, 196 N. Court Ave.
