Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

Highway Cleanup
2026-04-25 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Phoenix) | 10501 N. Casa Grande Hwy (32.39729, -111.12557), 10501 N. Casa Grande Hwy (32.39729, -111.12557)
Join the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection for a highway cleanup within a wildlife corridor!
Help us collect trash along our adopted stretch of highway along the I-10 frontage road near Avra Valley Road and the Santa Cruz River wildlife ramp. Gloves, safety vests, snacks and drinks, trash bags, and pick-up sticks (grabbers) are provided. More specific information and directions will be sent in an email to all RSVPs.
Please bring a reusable water bottle and coffee mug. We recommend sun protection and long sleeves/pants.
This project is funded in part by the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area. Thank you!
Physical requirements: Frequent bending and kneeling, walking in the sun for prolonged periods, walking on potentially uneven surfaces. Due to safety and ADOT regulation, volunteers must be 12 years or older.

ASARCO
2026-04-24 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-23 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-22 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-21 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-18 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-17 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-16 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-15 09:30 - 10:30 and 1 more date | 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, 1:15 pm, & 3:00 pm
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.

ASARCO Self Guided Center Tours
2026-04-24 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-23 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-22 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-21 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-18 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-17 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-16 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-15 09:00 - 17:00 and 1 more date | ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center, 1421 W Pima Mine Rd, Sahuarita, 85629, United States
Since we opened our doors in 1997, the ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center & Mine Tours’ vision has been to educate communities on the vital importance of the copper mining industry to our civilization, to educate students and teachers in earth sciences, and to preserve Arizona’s mining history.
We invite you to take our free self-guided tour of the center’s indoor and outdoor exhibits, which walks through the copper transformation process. Afterward, peruse the Company Store for unique and educational gifts.

Guided Birding Walks at Patagonia Lake State Park
2026-04-24 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-20 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-17 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-13 09:00 - 12:00 | Patagonia Lake, 400 Patagonia Lake Rd, Patagonia,, AZ, 85624, United States
Guided bird walks are back!​ Join park rangers at the Birding Trail kiosk (next to campsite #12) for a ranger-led hike to learn about the diverse avian wildlife at Patagonia Lake and Sonoita Creek.
The event repeats each Friday and Monday at 9:00 a.m.​ For more information, These walks are limited to 15 people. Sign up in advance at the Visitor Center or by calling (520) 287-2791 or please visit https://azstateparks.com/patagonia-lake/events/bird-walk-patagonia​

Death After Dark Walking Tour
2026-04-19 20:00 - 22:30 | Presidio San Augstin del Tucson, 196 N Court Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85701
Escape the heat and join Mauro Trejo on an after-dark and unique and macabre tour that covers some of the most memorable deaths that have taken place in Tucson’s history. From executions to suicides, and gunfights to accidents, this 2 mile tour will take you back in time to some of Tucson’s most fascinating tragedies.

The Arizona Trail: An 850-mile Mountain Bike Exploration of Climate Change
2026-04-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Tubac Presidio State Historic Park & Museum, 1 Burruel St, #1296, Tubac, A, 85646, United States
Along the 850-mile Arizona Trail from Utah to Mexico, climate change is reshaping ecosystems and communities across the Southwest. In fall 2025, Arizona Republic climate reporter and ecologist Joan Meiners spent seven weeks mountain biking the entire trail to document these changes and explore solutions with scientists, tribes, and local experts. Through vivid photos, video, and storytelling, this presentation traces Arizona’s most urgent environmental challenges and opportunities—mile by mile—from fire-scarred forests and deepening drought to renewable energy efforts and humanitarian issues at the border. This free program is made possible by AZ Humanities and space is limited. Please note, park admission is not included.

Santa Cruz River History Tour
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Mission Garden, 946 W Mission Ln, Tucson, AZ, 85745
This two-mile walking tour is led by Mauro Trejo and focuses on our relationship with the Santa Cruz River, how it supported Tucson’s early residents, and the factors in the 19th and 20th century that affected its demise.
The tour begins at Tucson’s Mission Gardens and includes the sites of the former Spanish mission and the O’odham village that was the origin of our modern city. Attendees also visit Tucson’s tallest tree and the Garden of Gethsemane, a holy site of statues made by WWI veteran and artist Felix Lucero in the 1940s.

Guided Birding Walks at Patagonia Sonoita Creek
2026-04-18 08:00 - 17:00 | Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve Visitor Center, 150 Blue Haven Road, Patagonia, Arizona, 85624, United States
Join us for guided birding walks at Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve in Southern Arizona on Saturday mornings, starting November 1st, 2025!
Learn about the resident and migrating birds, ranging from gray hawks to vermilion flycatchers to thick-billed kingbirds. Tours will also touch on the environmental history of the region surrounding the preserve. Birders of all levels are welcome.
The start time of the walks will vary depending on the point in the season, so be sure to check the sign-up form to see when they will begin each week. The fee is $8 per person, or $5 for Santa Cruz/Cochise County residents and TNC members. Free to Patagonia/Sonoita/Elgin residents and children under 17. Registration is required.
Please bring comfortable clothes and footwear to walk 1-2 miles, a water bottle, sun protection and snacks. We suggest bringing your own binoculars, but the preserve has a limited number available for checkout. Read more about preserve regulations here.
For more information, contact Preserve Manager Aaron at aaron.mrotek@tnc.org.

Summer Sunsets at Mission Garden
2026-04-16 17:00 - 20:00 | Mission Garden, 946 W Mission Ln, Tucson, AZ, 85745
Sunsets at Mission Garden can be magical. In the hot summer season, you’re invited to enjoy the evening sunset glow and cooler temperatures at the garden. Bring your family and friends!
Summer Sunsets at Mission Garden are held on the Third Thursday evening of each month during the summer.

Santa Cruz River Restoration
2026-04-15 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.

Living Lab & Learning Center Tour
2026-04-11 17:00 - 19:00 | Watershed Management Group, 1137 N Dodge Blvd., Tucson, AZ, 85716
Our guided Living Lab Tours happen every 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. You’ll be led through our demonstration site by one of our Docents to learn about our many water harvesting systems firsthand.
