Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

Healing Herb Walk
2026-06-06 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Phoenix) | 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.

Volunteer Work Day at Empire Ranch
2026-06-06 08:00 - 12:00 | Empire Ranch, 16655 E. Empire Ranch Rd, Sonoita, 85637, United States
You are invited to become part of the great team of dedicated volunteers at the Empire Ranch! Volunteer and make a difference! Volunteer Workday, 8 am to noon. Meet at the Visitor Contact Station. Breakfast and lunch provided.

ASARCO Discovery Center & Mine Tours
2026-06-05 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-06-04 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-06-03 09:30 - 10:30, 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 | 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.

Gardens of Canoa Ranch
2026-06-05 08:00 - 09:30 | Historic Canoa Ranch, 5375 I-19 Frontage Rd, Green Valley, AZ, 85614
Enjoy a guided tour of the gardens of Historic Canoa Ranch. Join Raydine Taber from the Green Valley Gardeners to explore the variety of themed gardens within the ranch headquarters. 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.

Cathay Williams: A Female Buffalo Soldier Presentation
2026-06-04 19:30 - 21:00 | Presidio San Augstin del Tucson, 196 N Court Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85701
“Cathay Williams: A Female Buffalo Soldier” in-person presentation by Floyd Gray in the Territorial Patio at Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum, 196 N Court Ave, Tucson*

7:30-9 pm. $13 with preregistration, $15 at the door, Presidio Museum members $10.
Cathay Williams, an African American woman, successfully posed as a man and served in the US Army in the 1860s. Floyd Gray will discuss her experiences as a Buffalo Soldier, serving in the 38th Infantry (one of six segregated, all-black regiments) during the Civil War. Floyd Gray, an Adjunct Researcher in the University of Arizona Department of Geosciences, on the boards of Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace and the Greater Southern Arizona Area Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers 9th and 10th Horse Cavalry Association.

Plant Propagation at Borderlands Restoration Network
2026-06-04 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-02 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-28 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-26 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.

Birding at Agua Caliente Park
2026-06-03 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 from the Friends of Agua Caliente.

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.

Death After Dark Walking Tour
2026-05-30 19:00 - 21:00 | 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.
Begins and ends at the Tucson Presidio Museum, 196 N. Court Ave.
$35 general | $20 member
Contact info@TucsonPresidio.com to make a special reservation for a group of 6 or more.

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!

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.

Living Lab & Learning Center Tour
2026-05-23 10:00 - 12:00 | 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.
