Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

ASARCO Discovery Center & Mine Tours
2026-05-01 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-30 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-29 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-25 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-24 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-23 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-22 09:30 - 10:30 (America/Phoenix) | 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.

Guided Birding Walks at Patagonia Lake State Park
2026-05-01 08:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-24 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​

Gardens of Canoa Ranch
2026-05-01 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.

ASARCO Self Guided Center Tours
2026-04-30 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-29 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-25 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-24 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-23 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.

Santa Cruz River Research Days
2026-04-30 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-29 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-28 13:00 - 17:00 | Pima Community College – Downtown, 1255 N Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85709
This FREE event is a venue for learning about research and conservation efforts while exploring the Santa Cruz River’s natural and cultural resources. With this year’s theme, A Watershed of Protection, we’re highlighting several public land protection and management efforts that have helped protect the river and its surrounding watershed over the last 25 years. With diverse speakers and real-time English–Spanish translation, we aim to inspire new research questions, strengthen your professional network, catalyze collaborative projects, and foster awareness of research and conservation efforts. Registration and program is available on the event page but includes two days of presentations and a guided hike in the Borderlands Wildlife Preserve.

Tubac Nature Center Bird Walk
2026-04-28 07:00 - 10:00 | Tubac Nature Center, 50 Bridge Road, Tubac, AZ, United States
Meet at the Nature Center, 50 Bridge Road, Tubac. Sign in at the door. the leaders will select a section of the Anza Trail for the walk. All expertise levels welcomed. Bring binoculars.

Boat Tours at Patagonia Lake State Park
2026-04-26 09:00 - 12:30, 2026-04-25 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.

Sosa-Carrillo House Grand Re-Opening
2026-04-25 10:00 - 13:00 | Sosa-Carrillo House, 151 S Granda, Tucson, AZ, 85701, United States
Los Descendientes de Tucson is celebrating the reopening of the Sosa-Carrillo House after 2 years of rehabilitation. Event remarks begin at 11am followed by light bites in the back patio. Visitors are encourage to walk through the house and see the new and expanded exhibits on the history of the barrio, the Sosas and Carillos, the Tohono O’odham and Pasqua Yaqui tribes, and art from Ruben Moreno.

Living Lab & Learning Center Tour
2026-04-25 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.

Peña Blanca Family Outdoor Day
2026-04-25 09:00 - 13:00 | Pena Blanca Lake, Pena Blanca Lake Road, Nogales, 85621, United States
This family-friendly community event is designed to connect residents with the outdoors while highlighting the incredible natural resources we have right here in our region. Families will be able to fish for free!
Other activities being planned include:
-Free fishing with borrowed poles and free bait bags
-Guided nature walks (Friends of the Madera Canyon)
-Food trucks
-Dirt Bike demonstrations (Trail Riders of Southern Arizona)
-Outdoor recreation and educational booths
-Celebrity Guests include Smokey the Bear and Woodsy the Owl!
If you are interested in volunteering with SCVNHA at this event, please email: zabrina@santacruzheritage.org

America Semiquincentennial and the Town of Oro Valley
2026-04-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 North Oracle Road, Oro Valley, 85737, United States
This is the last time to visit the season-long celebration of the America Semiquincentennial journey with the Oro Valley Historical Society in the Pusch House Museum at historic Steam Pump Ranch. America Semiquincentennial and the Town of Oro Valley connects national, state, and local stories of perseverance. Volunteers will be available, and tours are complimentary with appreciated donations. We will return to the Ranch for our new season starting in September and look forward to seeing you then – history loves company!

Guided Birding Walks at Patagonia Sonoita Creek
2026-04-25 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
2026-04-25 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.

Highway Cleanup
2026-04-25 08:00 - 10:00 | 10501 N. Casa Grande Hwy (32.39729, -111.12557), 10501 N. Casa Grande Hwy (32.39729, -111.12557)
Join the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection for a highway cleanup within a wildlife corridor!
Help us collect trash along our adopted stretch of highway along the I-10 frontage road near Avra Valley Road and the Santa Cruz River wildlife ramp. Gloves, safety vests, snacks and drinks, trash bags, and pick-up sticks (grabbers) are provided. More specific information and directions will be sent in an email to all RSVPs.
Please bring a reusable water bottle and coffee mug. We recommend sun protection and long sleeves/pants.
This project is funded in part by the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area. Thank you!
Physical requirements: Frequent bending and kneeling, walking in the sun for prolonged periods, walking on potentially uneven surfaces. Due to safety and ADOT regulation, volunteers must be 12 years or older.

Earth Day
2026-04-22 11:00 - 13:00 | Yoemem Tekia Cultural Center and Museum, 4721 W Calle Vicam, Tucson, 85757, United States
Visit the Yoemem Tekia Cultural Center and Museum for lunch and Earth day celebrations.
For more information, please call: 520-879-5776
