Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

ASARCO Discovery Center & Mine Tours
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, 2026-08-08 09:30 - 10:30 (America/Phoenix) and 7 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.

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, 2026-08-04 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-30 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

Docent Led Tour
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.

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.

Sonoita Vineyards' HARVESTFEST 2026
2026-08-01 10:00 - 13:00 | Sonoita Vineyards, 290 Elgin Canelo Rd., Elgin, A, 85611-8001, United States
Celebrate the start of harvest season at HarvestFest 2026 at Sonoita Vineyards!
Guests can enjoy a day of wine, live music, food vendors, artisan and craft booths, and the popular grape stomping competition at 1:00 p.m. Sample new releases from local wineries, discover unique handcrafted goods, and experience the beauty of Arizona wine country.

Healing Herb Walk
2026-08-01 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.
