Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

ASARCO Discovery Center & Mine Tours
2026-05-28 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-27 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-23 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-22 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-21 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-20 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-16 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-15 09:30 - 10:30 (America/Phoenix) and 2 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.

Plant Propagation at Borderlands Restoration Network
2026-05-28 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-26 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-21 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-19 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-14 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-12 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.

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.

Tour of Historic Canoa Ranch
2026-05-23 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-05-16 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.

Archaeology Day
2026-05-23 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.

Santa Cruz River Restoration
2026-05-20 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.

Birding Canoa Ranch
2026-05-20 07:00 - 09:00 | Historic Canoa Ranch, 5375 I-19 Frontage Rd, Green Valley, AZ, 85614
Visit Historic Canoa Ranch, a birding hotspot in Pima County Canoa Ranch is a great place to do some birding. On this walk, we explore the pond, cienega, and surrounding desert of this hotspot. We expect to see an interesting combination of migrant and resident birds. 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.

Birding at Agua Caliente Park
2026-05-20 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 of Friends of Agua Calente Park.

Turquoise Trail Tour
2026-05-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Presidio San Augstin del Tucson, 196 N Court Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85701
TURQUOISE TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
Walk Tucson’s historic Turquoise Trail—a path marked by a turquoise line painted on the sidewalk. This loop explores the heart of downtown Tucson, highlighting Spanish Colonial architecture, key historic landmarks, and stories dating back to 1775. This slightly shortened tour covers stops 1–14 on the trail before returning to the museum via Church Avenue. Pre-registration is required.
Begins and ends at the Tucson Presidio Museum, 196 N. Court Ave.

America 250 Celebration - Patagonia Lake Mariachi Festival
2026-05-16 10:00 - 16:00 | Patagonia Lake State Park, 400 Patagonia Lake Rd, Patagonia,, A, 85621-1357, United States
On Saturday, May 16, 2026, Patagonia Lake State Park will come alive in a vibrant celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. This festive gathering promises a rich tapestry of culture, music, and culinary delights that capture the spirit of community and the diverse heritage that has shaped our nation.
The celebration will feature musical performances, traditional mariachi, folklorico, food trucks featuring a variety of delicious eats—from fry bread to street tacos and even sushi—and a piñata activity for the kids! Enjoy local wines and regional favorites from the Village of Elgin Wineries.
Join us in celebrating 250 years of America with this day dedicated to community and culture! See the schedule of events and activities below. The event is free, but the standard park entrance fee applies.
This event is part of Outdoors250, our celebration of America’s 250th anniversary! Learn more and sign up to enter to win prize drawings at AZStateParks.com/Outdoors250.

Guided Birding Walks at Patagonia Sonoita Creek
2026-05-16 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.

Birds of Mission Garden
2026-05-14 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
2026-05-14 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.

"A Desert Feast: Celebrating Tucson's Culinary Heritage" with Carolyn Niethammer
2026-05-13 10:00 - 11:30
Join us for the monthly Borderlands Literature and Film Circle (BLFC) on Zoom. This is a free online event, $10 suggested donation.
Carolyn Neithammer is a celebrated Tucson-based author who has spent decades documenting the intersection of food, culture, and nature in the Southwest. Her work is deeply rooted in the Sonoran Desert, earning her a reputation as a leading voice in regional culinary history.
In A Desert Feast: Celebrating Tucson’s Culinary Heritage, Niethammer takes readers on a 4,000 year journey through the Santa Cruz Valley, exploring why Tucson became the first U.S. city to be designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. This award-winning book is a vibrant “food pilgrimage” that traces the lineage of desert agriculture, from the early irrigation canals of the Hohokam and the ancient cultivation of maize to the transofrmative arrival of Spanish missionaries and the rugged traditions of ranch-style cowboy cooking.
More than just a history book, it is a celebration of the people who keep these traditions alive today. Through rich storytelling and over 100 photographs, Niethammer introduces the local farmers, indigenous growers, and innovative chefs who utilize heritage ingredients like prickly pear, mesquite, and tepary beans. It is an essential guide for anyone looking to understand the deep, multicultural roots that make the borderlands’ food scene truly unique.
REGISTER FOR ZOOM LINK

Mothers Day Stewardship @ Danny Lopez Park
2026-05-10 07:00 - 09:00 | Danny Lopez Park, 4300 N Silverbell Rd, Tucson, 85745, United States
Show Some Mother’s Day Love for Mother Earth! Join Tucson Clean and Beautiful and Friends of Danny Lopez Park from 7:00–9:00 AM as they remove invasive buffelgrass and stinknet and pick up trash around the lake at Danny Lopez Park. RSVP / Questions: FriendsOfDLPark@gmail.com What to bring/wear: Long pants and a long-sleeve shirt Sturdy, closed-toe footwear Water and a hat Work gloves (if you have them) This is a flat, easy site—perfect for beginners and all experience levels.
