Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

Border Bioblitz 2026
2026-04-04 08:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix) | Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve Visitor Center, 150 Blue Haven Road, Patagonia, Arizona, 85624, United States
Be a part of this citizen science effort to document the unique biodiversity along the U.S.-Mexico border!

ASARCO Self Guided Center Tours
2026-04-03 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-02 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-01 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-31 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-27 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-26 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-25 09:00 - 17:00 and 2 more dates | 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 Lake State Park
2026-04-03 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-30 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-27 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-23 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​

Guided Birding Walks at Patagonia Lake State Park
2026-04-03 08:00 - 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 at 9:00 a.m through April.​ 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​

Tumamoc Talks: Desert Purple Martins – Star Birds of the Arizona Monsoon
2026-04-01 05:30 - 18:30 | Tumamoc Hill Boathouse, 1675 W Anklam Road, Tucson, United States
Desert Purple Martins – Star Birds of the Arizona Monsoon with Jennie MacFarland
The Desert Purple Martin (Progne subis hesperia) is a distinct subspecies that times its nesting to monsoon abundance and nests almost exclusively in saguaros or other large columnar cacti. Desert Purple Martins are extremely understudied with large gaps in knowledge about their nesting, migration, and wintering grounds. Very recent discoveries and data results will be shared along with lots of video and audio that showcases the charming and fascinating Desert Purple Martin. Jennie MacFarland is the Director of Bird Conservation at Tucson Bird Alliance. She co-coordinates the Arizona Bird Areas Program with Tice Supplee and also coordinates the Tucson Bird Count, a city-wide, urban spring bird count.

Tour of Historic Canoa Ranch
2026-03-28 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-03-21 10:00 - 11:30 | 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.

America's Semiquincentennial and the Town of Oro Valley
2026-03-28 09:00 - 12:00 | Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 North Oracle Road, Oro Valley, 85737, United States
The Oro Valley Historical Society continues its year‑long America Semiquincentennial celebration with the third installment of its exhibit. Visit the Pusch House Museum at historic Steam Pump Ranch to explore America Semiquincentennial and the Town of Oro Valley, highlighting the nation’s early struggles, Arizona’s path to statehood, and the challenges that shaped Oro Valley’s founding under the leadership and vision of Jim Kriegh. Volunteers will be available to share insights, and complimentary museum tours are offered with donations gratefully accepted.

Guided Birding Walks at Patagonia Sonoita Creek
2026-03-28 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-21 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.

Archaeology Day
2026-03-28 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.

Tour of Historic Canoa Ranch
2026-03-27 13:00 - 14:30 | 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.
Ready to register for this event? Follow these easy steps.
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Register for Programs:

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For programs with a fee, you will be asked to Add new payment method – for free programs, you can proceed directly to place order
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If you need assistance, contact the Environmental Education Team:
Phone: 520-724-5375
Email: EEducation@pima.gov

Death After Dark Walking Tour
2026-03-22 20:00 - 22:30 | 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.

A Brief History of the Santa Cruz River in Tucson
2026-03-21 13:00 - 14:30 | Historic Canoa Ranch, 5375 I-19 Frontage Rd, Green Valley, AZ, 85614
A Brief History of the Santa Cruz River in Tucson With Mauro Trejo, Trejo Walking Tours Description: This talk will cover the history of Tucson’s water and its relationship with the river. We will discuss what the river looked like before industrialization and how it got to the state it is in today. Bio: Mauro Trejo is a local public historian, and staff and board member of The Tucson Presidio Trust, Los Descendientes de Tucson, and The Anza Trail Foundation. In addition he is a commissioner with the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission. He has spent most of his life studying the history of Tucson and gives numerous talks and walking tours sharing the history of this amazing place. Mauro also runs Trejo’s Tucson Walking Tours and is a 7th generation native with family roots dating back to 1780 in Tucson.
Ready to register for this event? Follow these easy steps.
Create Your Account:

Visit www.explore.pima.gov
Click on the Create Account button in the upper right
Add your email address and password
Click Continue
Set up your profile by completing the First Name, Last Name, and Date of Birth fields
Click Get Started

Explore Programs:

Click on the Environmental Education tile
Explore our offering or navigate to a specific event

our programs are grouped by activity type; you may need to scroll through other categories to find what you are looking for
Use the Keyword search feature to narrow down the selections

Register for Programs:

Select the program
Click Register (or view details if you want to know more)
Choose who will be participating – you may need to add more household member if registering for others (you can select more than one participant to register in the same transaction)
Click Add to cart
Click Continue to checkout
Confirm account details
For programs with a fee, you will be asked to Add new payment method – for free programs, you can proceed directly to place order
Click Place orderIf you need assistance, contact the Environmental Education Team:
Phone: 520-724-5375
Email: EEducation@pima.gov

Backyard Techniques to Harvest The Rain
2026-03-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Tubac Presidio State Historic Park & Museum, 1 Burruel St, #1296, Tubac, A, 85646, United States
Join ecologist Caleb Weaver of Ecotone Biodiversity LLC for an engaging presentation overviewing rainwater harvesting in Southern Arizona. Attendees will learn methods to collect, convey, and store this free resource to grow food for wildlife and people alike, protecting critical groundwater and natural water reserves to stay in the ground. We’ll then tour the rain garden that Ecotone Biodiversity designed and installed on the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park grounds so attendees can see multiple examples of rainwater being harvested.

America Semiquincentennial and Arizona Statehood
2026-03-21 09:00 - 12:00 | Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 North Oracle Road, Oro Valley, 85737, United States
Last chance to visit the Pusch House Museum to celebrate the founding of our country and why it took 137 years for Arizona to become a state!

World Water Day Celebration
2026-03-21 09:00 - 12:00 | Verdugo Park, 902 S Verdugo Ave., Tucson, AZ, 85745
Join community members, local organizations, land management agencies for a day of fun and stewardship!
Days of Connection celebrating World Water Day is taking place at Verdugo Park right-off of the Santa Cruz River. Join Favor Celestial, Barrio Kroeger Lane, Tucson Clean and Beautiful, Pima County, Sonoran Institute, Tucson Water, Ironwood Tree Experience, United Way and other partners as we come together to celebrate the World Water Day through a day of fun, stewardship and connecting with nature and community!
World Water Day of Connection is happening on Saturday, March 21st between 9AM-12PM at Verdugo Park located at 902 S Verdugo Ave, Tucson, AZ 85745.
These experiences bring together local groups and individual passionate about the natural world and environmental stewardship. At this Day of Connection you can expect to;

Enjoy music, snacks and beautiful green space with a broad community of stewardship and nature lovers.
Create seed bombs with Pima County Department of Environmental Quality and Ironwood Tree Experience
Steward the Santa Cruz by picking up trash with TCB and Sonoran Institute or learn to identify and remove invasive giant reed (Arundo donax) with specialists from Tucson Bird Alliance.
Experience the on-going neighborhood conservation and restoration efforts in the area being lead by Friends of Favor Celestial and Watershed Management group.
Connect with Educators with Pima County Conservation Lands and Resources and Regional Flood Control District to learn more about what our county is doing to conserve and celebrate our public lands
