Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

Boat Tours at Patagonia Lake State Park
2026-05-10 09:00 - 12:30, 2026-05-09 09:00 - 12:30, 2026-05-03 09:00 - 12:30, 2026-05-02 09:00 - 12:30 (America/Phoenix) | 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.

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.

Docent Led Tour
2026-05-09 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.

ASARCO Discovery Center & Mine Tours
2026-05-09 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-08 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-07 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-06 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-02 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-01 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
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.

Tour of Historic Canoa Ranch
2026-05-09 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-05-02 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.

Guided Birding Walks at Patagonia Sonoita Creek
2026-05-09 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-02 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.

Sunflowers for Mother's Day
2026-05-09 07:00 - 13:00 | San Xavier Co-op Farm, 8100 Oidak Wog, Tucson, 85746, United States
Pick Your Own Sunflowers for Mother’s Day, Saturday, May 9, 7 am-1 pm, 8100 S. Oidak Wog. Prices will be $10 per group to pick as many as you would like and $5 per bouquet for prepared bouquets in the Farm Store. Please bring your own supplies and please note that their flower supply is limited, flowers are first come, first serve.

Walk the Anza Trail at Tumacácori National Historical Park
2026-05-08 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

Plant Propagation at Borderlands Restoration Network
2026-05-07 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-05 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.

Birding at Agua Caliente Park
2026-05-06 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.

Tubac Nature Center Bird Walk
2026-05-05 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.

Advanced Birding Series: Breeding Bird Behavior
2026-05-03 05:30 - 08:30 | Sweet Water Wetlands, 2511 W Sweetwater Drive, Tucson, 85745, United States
Trip Difficulty: Easy. Walking distance: around 1 mile. Trip Duration: 2.5 – 3 hrs. Elevation gain: none, but with chance of slight inclines/declines. Ground condition: groomed gravel trails. Drinking water and restrooms available at park’s entrance. Benches available at periodic intervals around the Wetlands.
By May most of our breeding birds have arrived at Sweetwater Wetlands! Depending on the species they may be singing, courting, brooding, feeding nestlings, or already have fledglings. In this workshop we will focus on observing breeding bird behaviors, finding and identifying juvenile birds (including challenging recently fledged
young), practice safely viewing nests, check nest boxes, and learn how to enter breeding codes on eBird. Breeding birds we could see include: Gambel’s Quail, Anna’s Hummingbird, Common Gallinule, Green Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, Great-horned Owl, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher, Bell’s Vireo, Song Sparrow, Red-
winged Blackbird, and Lucy’s Warbler. Limited to 12 participants. The Wetlands are located at 2511 W Sweetwater Drive.
Leader: Alex Patia (apatia@tucsonbirds.org)

Fiesta de Mayo 2026
2026-05-02 17:00 - 22:00 | Karam Park, 159 N Morley Ave, , Nogales, A, 85621, United States
Nasib Karam Park, Nogales, Arizona, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.The community is invited to celebrate Fiestas de Mayo on May 2, 2026, at Karam Park on Morley Avenue. Hosted by the City of Nogales, the Consulate General of Mexico in Nogales, and the Cultural Arts Committee of Nogales, this vibrant event will feature live music, delicious food, and the crowning of the queen. With free admission, attendees can enjoy an evening of culture, entertainment, and community celebration.

Flower Moon Campout
2026-05-02 14:00 - 2026-05-03 11:00 | Santa Rita Lodge , Madera Canyon, 1218 S Madera Canyon Rd, Madera Canyon, AZ, 85614, United States
Join us for a soul-nourishing overnight experience beneath the luminous energy of May’s Full Flower Moon. Nestled in the serene beauty of Madera Canyon, this intimate campout invites you to slow down, reconnect, and soak in the magic of nature and community. Bring your own tent and bedding, and settle in for a cozy evening on the Santa Rita Lodge property. We’ll gather under the rising full moon in the Yurt for gentle yoga, meditation, and various immersions in sound: crystal bowls, drumming, and our own voices. As the evening unfolds, enjoy meaningful connection around the firepit, complete with s’mores and stargazing. Dinner and breakfast are thoughtfully prepared and included—nourishing, delicious, and shared in good company. Additional offerings include optional tarot card readings, quiet moments in nature, and space to simply be. This is a chance to unplug, breathe deeply, and align with the natural rhythms of the season—honoring growth, renewal, and the beauty of coming into full bloom. What’s included: Overnight campout (bring your own tent + bedding); Dinner + breakfast; Yoga + meditation Sound healing under the full moon; Firepit + s’mores; Optional tarot readings. Come as you are. Leave grounded, restored, and glowing. 18 and up event. Facilitators and Presenters: Jen Rischard, Katie Munger, Emily Dukes

AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration
2026-05-02 11:00 - 14:00 | Tucson Mall, 4500 North Oracle Road, Tucson, United States
Free community event in celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month. This event will be featuring an Asian gift shop, arts and crafts, and cultural performances.
Learn more and RSVP at tucsonchinese.org/aanhpiheritage

Healing Herb Walk
2026-05-02 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.

Brand New to Birding Field Workshop at Sweetwater Wetlands with Alex Patia
2026-05-02 06:00 - 08:30 | Sweet Water Wetlands, 2511 W Sweetwater Drive, Tucson, 85745, United States
Trip difficulty: Easy. Walking distance: About 1.3 miles. Trip Duration: 2-2.5 hours. Elevation gain: None. Ground condition: Groomed gravel trails. Drinking water and restrooms available at the park’s entrance. Benches are available at periodic intervals around the wetlands.
Are you new to birding and looking to learn some of the basics? Then this field workshop is for you! We’ll cover topics like how to use binoculars, finding birds, identifying birds by sight and sound, bird behavior, birding apps, and using field guides. The entire workshop will be conducted outside on a short walk around the birder’s paradise that is Sweetwater Wetlands. Binoculars and fields guides are available if needed, bring a journal and pencil if you want for some field sketching!
Limited to 12 participants. Sweetwater Wetlands is located at 2511 W Sweetwater Drive.
Leader: Alex Patia

Guided Birding Walks at Patagonia Lake State Park
2026-05-01 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.
