Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

National Park Week
2026-08-25 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-24 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-22 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix) | Saguaro National Park West-West at the Red Hills Visitor Center, 2700 North Kinney Road, Tucson, 85743, United States
Join in celebrating America’s stories during National Park Week August 22-30, 2026!
Love national parks? There’s a holiday for that! Join the weeklong celebration of all things “national parks” happening August 22 to 30, 2026. Wrap up summer by coming out to explore nature and history, join ranger programs, earn your Junior Ranger badge, and more. Entrance fees are waived for US citizens and residents on August 25, 2026, for our 110th birthday.
Celebrate America’s Story
This year’s National Park Week theme is “Celebrate America’s Story” in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Come visit where many of America’s important stories are shared—in our national parks. Make your own stories exploring stunning natural landscapes, reflecting on our nation’s inspiring history and rich culture, and enjoying the great outdoors.
Share your national park stories on social media using #NationalParkWeek, #NationalJuniorRangerDay, and #NPSBirthday.
National Park Week Theme Days

Satuday, August 22: Kickoff Saturday and America 250 Grand Pix
Sunday, August 23: Safety Sunday
Monday, August 24: America in Motion Monday
Tuesday, August 25: National Park Service 110th Birthday & Fee-Free Day
Wedneday, August 26: Watch Wildlife Wednesday
Thursday, August 27: Thankful Thursday
Friday, August 28: Freedom Friday
Saturday, August 29: Staff Saturday
Sunday, August 30: Junior Ranger Day

National Park Service Birthday
2026-08-25 | Saguaro National Park West-West at the Red Hills Visitor Center, 2700 North Kinney Road, Tucson, 85743, United States
Come join the National Park Service birthday celebration on August 25! The National Park Service was created on August 25, 1916, to “preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.” Over the hundred plus years, they have grown into more than 400 national parks and many programs that reach communities around the country—and even the world!
Their birthday is part of National Park Week this year so come celebrate all week! Join the birthday fun on social media using #NPSBirthday, #NPS110, and #NationalParkWeek.

Docent Led Tour
2026-08-22 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-08 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.

ASARCO Discovery Center & Mine Tours
2026-08-22 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-08-21 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-08-20 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-08-19 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-08-15 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-08-14 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-08-13 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-08-12 09:30 - 10:30 and 3 more dates | 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.

Historic Empire Ranch 150th Anniversary Celebration
2026-08-22 09:00 - 13:00 | Empire Ranch, 16655 E. Empire Ranch Rd, Sonoita, 85637, United States
Celebrating Our History While Preserving Our Future
The Empire Ranch was established 150 years ago on August 22, 1876. Join us for a special celebration of the history, significance, and endurance of the Empire Ranch plus plans for its continued preservation.

Saturday, August 22, 2026
9 am to 1 pm
Schedule of Events

9 am—Opening Presentation: Danger Road – The Perils of Travel Through the Sonoita Valley by Rick Collins–Adobe Haybarn
10 am—Ranch History Presentations (ERF docents will provide repeating 10-minute presentations on aspects of Empire Ranch history at 10:00, 10:20, 10:40, 11:00, 11:20)

Early history–Room 1, Commissary
Cowboy/Ranch life–Rooms 3/6, Cowboy Quarters
Families–Room 22, Master Bedroom
Movies Filmed in Empire Ranch territory–Room 8, Foreman’s Quarters
Preservation–Room 20, Living Room

10:30 to 11:30 am–Walter Vail: Arizona and California Rancher, book signing by Alison Bunting– Front Porch, Victorian Addition
12 pm—Closing Remarks and Refreshments, Adobe Haybarn
Learn about the Empire Ranch Foundation’s plans for the future and enjoy a piece of birthday cake and iced tea.

All Day Activities

Strolling musical entertainment by Ken Brown and John Anderson
Visit the ERF Gift Shop which is stocked with many 150th anniversary items.

Archaeology Day
2026-08-22 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.

Celebration of All Things S-cuk Ṣon / Tucson 251+
2026-08-20 18:30 - 22:00 | Presidio San Augstin del Tucson, 196 N Court Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85701
POP-UP EXHIBIT COCKTAIL RECEPTION FOLLOWED BY LIVE MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT
FREE to Tucsonans who enjoy a summer evening.
While the Tucson basin has been inhabited for thousands of years, the formal inception date of the City of Tucson is August 20th, 1775. Today, we use this date to celebrate our rich TucSonorense culture and its many inhabitants. Did you know the name Tucson originates from the native O’odham word “s -cuk ṣon” which means “at the base of the black hill”
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If you are interested in volunteering at this event with the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area, please email: outreach@santacruzheritage.org or sign up here

Plant Propagation at Borderlands Restoration Network
2026-08-20 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-18 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-13 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-11 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-06 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.

Birds of Mission Garden
2026-08-13 08:00 - 09:30 | Mission Garden, 946 W Mission Ln, Tucson, AZ, 85745
At Mission Garden, meet at the front gate

Walk around beautiful Mission Garden with one of the garden’s expert birders. We’ll look for seasonal and resident birds and learn to identify some common calls and songs. The garden is a good place for beginning and intermediate birders to learn about many of the birds common to the greater Tucson area. Check in with the roadrunners. We always check the hummingbird feeder! Take the opportunity to learn about the history of Tucson’s agriculture and some of the crops that have been important here.

Monthly Bird Walk
2026-08-13 08:00 - 09:30 | Mission Garden, 946 W Mission Ln, Tucson, AZ, 85745
Walk around Mission Garden to look for seasonal and resident birds. Learn to identify some common calls and songs of the birds here. The garden is a good place for beginning and intermediate birders to learn about many of the birds common to the greater Tucson area. Check in with Kevin (the roadrunner) and our resident chickens. We always check the hummingbird feeder to see what hummingbirds are visiting it!
Walks usually last about one and half hours. Walking is easy in the garden and the paths, while not paved, are made of compacted material that is ADA compatible and suitable for wheelchairs and walkers. The length of this walk is 0.50 to 0.75 mile.

Tucson Bird Alliance Southeast Arizona Birding Festival
2026-08-12 00:00 - 2026-08-16 00:00 | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tucson – Reid Park, 445 S Alvernon Way, Tucson, 85711, United States
The spectacular biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert and the Sky Island mountains comes alive during the summer monsoon rains. Celebrate the special birds and wildlife of southeastern Arizona in August, sponsored by the Tucson Bird Alliance. The Southeast Arizona Birding Festival offers expert-guided birding, wildlife, and cultural field trips; photography and bird-ID workshops; free nature presentations, vendors, and activities.
Featured Guests:
Paul Bannick
Paul Bannick is an award-winning author and photographer who makes images to inspire education and conservation.
Bonner Black
A songwriter and birder, Bonner Black is a 12-year Music City veteran, accumulating 900k+ streams and 142k social media followers.
Rosemary Mosco
Rosemary Mosco is an author, illustrator, and speaker whose work connects people with the natural world.

Festival Details

Registration Fee
There is a $35 non-refundable registration fee for all festival participants that are attending fee based activities: field trips, workshops, and evening programs. In addition, each activity previously mentioned has its own associated fees. No registration or fee is required to attend the Nature Expo.
Registration Tips & Tricks: Make your registration process as smooth as possible!
All activities (unless otherwise noted) for the Festival will be based out of the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Tucson – Reid Park, 445 South Alvernon Way, Tucson, Arizona, 520-881-4200. “Van Trips” will depart from and return to the hotel, while “Drive Yourself and Meet On-Site Trips” will meet at the birding location and you will receive detailed instructions. The Nature Expo, social hours, evening programs, and most workshops will also be onsite. Please check the description of the event that is on your schedule for any details.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received on or before Friday, July 17, 2026 will be refunded less a 10% processing fee. No refunds will be issued after July 17. Tucson Bird Alliance reserves the right to cancel or revise any event for any reason. If it becomes necessary to cancel a paid event (field trip or dinner) for which you have a reservation, we will notify you and issue a full refund. No refunds will be issued for no-shows.
Proceeds from this event support Tucson Bird Alliance’s mission to inspire people to protect and enjoy birds. Thanks for being part of our effort; your presence shows a commitment to our endeavor!

Times and events vary. Please check website.
Questions?
For festival questions, please email lsafford@tucsonbirds.org

Native Plant Propagation and Nursery Management Workshop
2026-08-08 10:00 - 14:00 | Borderlands Nursery & Seed, 42 San Antonio Road, Patagonia, 85624, United States
Join us for an informative class to learn about all things related to running and managing a native plant nursery, such as propagating native plants from both seeds and cuttings, seed and plant sourcing, plant lists, dormancy, mechanical scarification, temperature stratification, transplanting, pot sizes for retail vs. restoration needs, irrigation, soil type, timelines, and more.
