Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

Birds of Mission Garden
2026-09-10 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Phoenix) | 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
2026-09-10 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.

ASARCO Discovery Center & Mine Tours
2026-09-09 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-09-05 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-09-04 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-09-03 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-09-02 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-08-29 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-08-28 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-08-27 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
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.

Paton Center Habitat Ambassadors
2026-09-09 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-08-26 09:00 - 11:00 | Paton Center for Hummingbirds, 477 Pennsylvania Ave, Patagonia, 85624, United States
Join Tucson Bird Alliance’s restoration team in enhancing and maintaining habitat around the Paton Center grounds.

Position Description:

TBA’s restoration department has been hard at work acquiring new grounds and developing valuable native habitat types at the Paton Center over the past few years and we need your help to continue this work. Events will focus largely on invasive species removal and weeding but could include any of the following activities:

Weeding and planting the Paton meadow to support pollinators
Trail maintenance and building for improved visitor experience
Invasive grass and vine pulling and management
Brush clearing and hauling
Irrigation system maintenance to support native plants
Paton Center yard and grounds maintenance
Native seed collection

We welcome you to register for these events if you are interested in any of these tasks and a TBA staff member will reach out in advance of each event to provide a more detailed plan for the day.

Requirements:

Please come prepared to work in direct sun and in hot temperatures during warm months. We recommend wearing long sleeves, long pants, and a hat as well as sturdy close toed shoes. Please also bring a refillable water bottle.

Date:

October-May: 10-12 pm
June-September: 9-11 am

Number of Openings:

We are looking for 10-15 volunteers for each date. Registration required. Please click HERE link to sign up for the date(s) you would like to volunteer.

Plant Propagation at Borderlands Restoration Network
2026-09-08 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-09-03 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-09-01 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-27 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-25 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
2026-09-06 09:00 - 12:30, 2026-09-05 09:00 - 12:30, 2026-08-30 09:00 - 12:30, 2026-08-29 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.

Healing Herb Walk
2026-09-05 09:00 - 10:00 | Mission Garden, 946 W Mission Ln, Tucson, AZ, 85745
Learn about some of the 50 medicinal plants in Mission Garden’s Moore Medicinal Garden. The plants are native to the American Southwest deserts and in many cases have been used for millennia. Modern herbalists are keeping this tradition alive at Mission Garden.

111th Sonoita Labor Day Rodeo
2026-09-05 08:00 - 2026-09-07 17:00
111th Labor Day Rodeo!
September 5, 6, & 7, 2026
“Best Little Rodeo in Arizona”
Over 700 entries w/cash & buckles awarded to the top contestants of the Southwest.

Merchandise and Concessions on site
steak Fry & DANCE Saturday & Sunday
Steak Fry 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Live Music starting @ 7 p.m.
Saturday -Southern Rein
Sunday – Zander Rodriguez

National Park Week
2026-08-30 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-29 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-28 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-27 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-26 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-25 08:00 - 17:00 | 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
