Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

Death After Dark Walking Tour
2026-04-19 20:00 - 22:30 (America/Phoenix) | 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.

ASARCO
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, 2026-04-14 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-11 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-10 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-09 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, 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
2026-04-18 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, 2026-04-14 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-11 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-10 09:00 - 17:00 | 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 Sonoita Creek
2026-04-18 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-11 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.

Guided Birding Walks at Patagonia Lake State Park
2026-04-17 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-13 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-10 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​

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.

Growing in the Desert: The History & Culture of the Tohono O’odham
2026-04-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Tubac Presidio State Historic Park & Museum, 1 Burruel St, #1296, Tubac, A, 85646, United States
This program is made possible by Arizona Humanities. Please note that park admission is not included.

Many Arizonans call the Sonoran Desert and its striking landscapes home. Long before our urban centers and city lights lit up the dark desert skies, the Tohono O’odham were cultivating and shaping the land with abundant agriculture—from squash and beans to corn and cotton. For generations they passed down their rich knowledge and culture grown from their connection to the desert. Join us for a program with Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan as she shares her knowledge about the history and culture of her people, the Tohono O’odham.

Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan, of the Tohono O’odham Nation, serves as the Education Liaison for the Kitt Peak National Observatory and as an instructor at the Tohono O’odham Community College. She earned her Ph.D. in American Indian Studies with a minor in Journalism from the University of Arizona in 2023. As part of her dissertation work, she created the first living-document on the history of land and water in the San Xavier District, as told from a Tohono O’odham perspective. She has written for news publications across the US including Indian Country Today and is part of Arizona Humanities’ AZ Speaks Program providing presentations on Tohono O’odham History, Culture, and Foodways across Arizona. Jacelle also serves on several boards and committees including Wecij U’uwi Hemapai (Tohono O’odham Young Women’s Gathering), Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace-Mission Garden, Friends of Saguaro National Park and Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area Partnership Council.

Turquoise Trail Walking Tour
2026-04-11 07:00 - 09:30 | Presidio San Augstin del Tucson, 196 N Court Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85701
Let one of our knowledgeable docents lead you on a walk along the 2.5-mile Turquoise Trail through Downtown Tucson to see historic buildings and hear stories that make Tucson’s history special. Pre-registration required.

Walk the Anza Trail at Tumacácori National Historical Park
2026-04-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Tumacácori National Historical Park, 1891 E Frontage Rd, Tumacacori, 85640, United States
Join an Anza Trail park ranger at Tumacácori National Historical Park for a guided walk!
-Meet at the mission church at 10 am
-Walk to the Santa Cruz River along the Anza Trail
-Return around 11:30 am
We’ll be walking along the same route the Anza expedition followed 250 years ago! This is an easy trail but expect uneven and unpaved surfaces. It’s a 1- to 2-mile roundtrip journey. Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection, water, and an interest in natural and cultural history!

February 13, 2026 from 10:00 – 11:30 am

March 13, 2026 from 10:00 – 11:30 am

April 10, 2026 from 10:00 – 11:30 am

May 8, 2026 from 10:00 – 11:30 am

1891 I-19 Frontage Rd, Tumacacori, AZ 85640

Habitat Restoration Day
2026-04-10 08:00 - 11:00 | Oracle Road wildlife crossings, 14380 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, Arizona, United States, 85739, Tucson, AZ, 85739, United States
Join the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection at the Oracle Road wildlife crossings!
This is a great opportunity to get a hands-on, restoration experience, take a tour of these amazing structures, and learn more about wildlife connectivity projects in Southern Arizona.
Our goals for the day:

Remove invasive plant species (buffelgrass)
Water establishing plants
Build and repair erosion control rock structures as needed

Please arrive for an 8am start time. Gloves and all other tools will be provided. We will have snacks bagels and snacks to share with you! Please bring a re-usable water bottle. We hope you can join us!
RSVP here
Physical Requirements: Frequent bending and kneeling, walking in the sun for prolonged periods, walking on potentially uneven surfaces, carrying water buckets weighing between 15-25 lbs, moving rocks weighing between 5-25lbs.
This project in funded in part by the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area and in partnership with Strategic Habitat Enhancements – thank you!
