—January '09

Tucson Mountain Park Birding Walk
What: Join birding expert John Higgins for a guided bird walk in Tucson Mountain Park. Spot thrashers, wrens, quail, hawks and other birds of the desert southwest nestled among the saguaros and palo verdes. Be sure to bring binoculars and water.
Date: Saturday, January, 10.
Time: 8:00-9:30 a.m.
Where: Pima County Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area, 1548 S. Kinney Road.
On Kinney 1.5 miles south of Gates Pass Road or 3.8 miles north of Ajo Way.
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Historical Tour of Agua Caliente Park
What: Enjoy a guided tour of the historic buildings and landscape to understand how the year-round presence of water from the spring shaped the lives of people and how people shaped the land.
Date: Saturday, January 10.
Time: 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road.
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

 Sonoran Desert Kids Club: Exploring Watersheds & Writing Poetry
What: Tucson’s River of Words Youth Poetry and Art Contest incorporates science and art for a truly unique experience. Create your own watershed model and discover the power of water. Then, express your knowledge through poetry writing. Contest entry forms will be available at the program.
Date: Saturday, January 10.
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Where: Abbett-Marana Branch Library, 7800 N. Schisler Dr., Tucson 85743.
Cost/Age: free, kids ages 5-12 and their families.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Civilian Conservation Corp in SE Arizona
What: The popular New Deal Program put many unemployed southern Arizonans to work during the mid 30s.  Colossal Cave Mountain Park and the Chiricahua National Monument still stand today.  Join Robin Pinto and JJ Lamb for this presentation and opportunity to see several items from the CCC Museum.
Date: Sunday, January 11.
Time: 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road.
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Buffelgrass in the Sonoran Desert
What: Learn why the spread of buffelgrass is a threat to our desert and our community, and find out how you can join the effort to help manage, control, and eradicate this aggressive, non-native grass.
Date: Monday, January 12.
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Where: Abbett-Marana Branch Library, 7800 N. Schisler Dr., Tucson.
Cost/Age: free, ages 12 and up.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Sonoran Desert Kids Club: Skulls from the Sonoran Desert
What: You can tell a lot about an animal by looking at the size and shape of its skull. Use the skulls of Sonoran Desert animals to learn about what they eat, where they live and how they hunt.
Date: Tuesday, January 13.
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Quincie Douglas Branch Library, 1585 E. 36th Street, Tucson.
Cost/Age: free, kids ages 5-12 and their families.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Wednesday Sonoran Desert Weedwackers
What: Each month the volunteer weed warriors work to eradicate buffelgrass and other exotic weeds. The Wednesday work parties are for the hardiest weed warriors and may require hiking in to infested areas and pulling buffelgrass on steep slopes. These are also some of the most precious and fragile habitats seriously impacted by buffelgrass invasions. Coordinators will provide instruction on plant identification and proper techniques for removal. This is strenuous work and volunteers need to be in very good physical condition. Gloves and digging bars provided. Bring water and snacks; a hat, sunscreen and sturdy shoes. If you plan to attend, please contact eeducation@pima.gov or call 520-615-7855.
Date: Wednesday, January 14.
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where: Pima County Tucson Mountain Park at 2020 N. Kinney Road - call for meeting location.
Cost/Age: free, ages 12 and up.
For more information contact: If you plan to attend, please contact eeducation@pima.gov or call 520-615-7855.

Saturday Sonoran Desert Weedwackers
What: Join the Sonoran Desert Weedwackers and do your part in restoring the health of the desert in Tucson Mountain Park. Each month the volunteer weed warriors work to eradicate buffelgrass and other exotic weeds. Coordinators will provide instruction on plant identification and proper techniques for removal. Gloves and digging bars provided. Bring water and snacks; a hat, sunscreen and sturdy shoes. If you plan to attend, please contact eeducation@pima.gov or call 520-615-7855.
Date: Saturday, January 17.
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where: Pima County Tucson Mountain Park at 2020 N. Kinney Road.
Meet at the Caretakers House, across from the Desert Museum. 
Cost/Age: free, ages 12 and up.
For more information contact: If you plan to attend, please contact eeducation@pima.gov or call 520-615-7855.

Life in the Pond
What: Come and explore how the many pond species are interconnected, and how this desert oasis supports life that otherwise wouldn’t survive in the Sonoran Desert.
Date: Saturday, January 17.
Time: 11:00 a.m.-Noon.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road.
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Sonoran Desert Kids Club: Animal Tracking
What: Many animals are very hard to find but always leave behind one tell-tale clue – their tracks. Use rubber track replicas to recreate animal tracks and learn how to identify them in the wild.
Date: Saturday, January 17.
Time: 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Where: Miller-Golf Links Branch Library, 9640 E. Golf Links Rd., Tucson.
Cost/Age: free, kids ages 5-12 and their families.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Gordon Hirabayashi Prison Honor Camp
What: Mary Farrell, US Forest Service archaeologist, will talk about the camp’s role in one of the most shameful events in U.S. history. The site has played a major role in the recognition, remembrance, and redefinition of this history, and the reconciliation of disparate struggle for civil rights.
Date: Sunday, January 18.
Time: 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road.
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Night Sky for Seniors
What: We take a close look at the constellations and stories about the night sky indoors, followed by an exploration of the night sky using telescopes. Bring lawn chairs!
Date: Thursday, January 22.
Time: 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Where: Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff, Tucson.
Cost/Age: free.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Feliz Paseos Park Birding Walk
What: Join naturalist Doris Evans on a stroll through Feliz Paseos Park, where you’re likely to see thrashers, cactus wrens, Gambel’s quail and other birds of the desert southwest. Beginners are welcome. Bring your binoculars and water.
Date: Saturday, January 24.
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Where: Pima County Feliz Paseos Park, 1600 N. Camino de Oeste.
On Camino de Oeste, ½ mile north of Speedway/Gates Pass Road.
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Nature Walk: Surviving in Winter
What: When winter creeps in, plants and animals have numerous strategies for surviving the cold weather. Join us on this naturalist-guided nature walk where we will discuss how plants and animals are adapted to winter conditions.
Date: Saturday, January 24.
Time: 11:00 a.m.-Noon.
Where: Pima County Agua.
Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road.
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Wednesday Sonoran Desert Weedwackers
What: Each month the volunteer weed warriors work to eradicate buffelgrass and other exotic weeds. The Wednesday work parties are for the hardiest weed warriors and may require hiking in to infested areas and pulling buffelgrass on steep slopes. These are also some of the most precious and fragile habitats seriously impacted by buffelgrass invasions. Coordinators will provide instruction on plant identification and proper techniques for removal. This is strenuous work and volunteers need to be in very good physical condition. Gloves and digging bars provided. Bring water and snacks; a hat, sunscreen and sturdy shoes. If you plan to attend, please contact eeducation@pima.gov or call 520-615-7855.
Date: Wednesday, January 28.
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where: Pima County Tucson Mountain Park at 2020 N. Kinney Road - call for meeting location.
Cost/Age: free, ages 12 and up.
For more information contact: If you plan to attend, please contact eeducation@pima.gov or call 520-615-7855.

Twilight Nature Walk
What: Take a relaxing, naturalist-guided stroll through the park and experience the quiet of the desert at dusk. You’ll also discover why many desert creatures are active at this time of day. One-hour guided walks on paved and gravel paths are open to all ages and abilities.
Date: Friday, January, 30.
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Pima County Feliz Paseos Park, 1600 N. Camino de Oeste.
On Camino de Oeste, ½ mile north of Speedway/Gates Pass Road.
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Sonoran Desert Kids Club: The Life of Birds
What: We will take a peek at the life of birds as the residents and migrants share habitat. Matt Brooks from the Tucson Audubon Society will lead us in the search.
Date: Saturday, January 31.
Time: 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road.
Cost/Age: free, kids ages 5-12 and their families.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Agua Caliente Park Ranch House Gallery
What: Variations by Sheila Hamann includes watercolor and acrylic paintings of animals and scenes from the Sonoran Desert.
Date: November 19 – January 6.
Agua Caliente Park Ranch House Hours, November – April: Wednesday–Friday 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road.
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome.
For more information contact: 520-749-3718 or eeducation@pima.gov

Agua Caliente Park Ranch House Gallery
What: Into the Wild Blue Yonder by Kathy Robbins includes Southwestern images, Mexican scenes, and plant life expressed in a unique style of watercolor that transcends realism.
Date: January 8 – February 19.
Agua Caliente Park Ranch House Hours, November – April: Wednesday–Friday 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road.
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome.
For more information contact: 520-749-3718 or eeducation@pima.gov

Tucson’s River of Words 2008 Traveling Exhibit
What: Tucson’s River of Words is more than a youth poetry and art contest, it is a cycle of activities each building upon the next. The vibrant images and lyrical poems from the 2008 Tucson’s River of Words are expressions of the durable connections to nature that these young artists share.
Date: November 3 – January 4.
Time: Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Pima County Juvenile Court Building, 2225 E. Ajo Way, Tucson 85713.
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Tucson’s River of Words 2008 Traveling Exhibit
What: Tucson’s River of Words is more than a youth poetry and art contest, it is a cycle of activities each building upon the next. The vibrant images and lyrical poems from the 2008 Tucson’s River of Words are expressions of the durable connections to nature that these young artists share.
Date: January 6 – March 24.
Time: Monday – Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Abbett-Marana Branch Library, 7800 N. Schisler Dr., Tucson 85743.
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Wake Up with the Birds
What: Desert meets water at this unique oasis park, providing a unique crossroads for migratory and resident birds, some of which are unique to southeastern Arizona. Spot cardinals, thrashers, hummingbirds, songbirds and raptors nestled among the mesquites and palms. Binoculars are available for use during the walk or bring your own.
Date: Every Tuesday in January.
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road.
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome.
For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov
Reservations not required.

Sandy Reith
EE Program Coordinator
Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation 

Mailing Address:
3500 West River Road, Tucson, AZ 85741

Office Location:
3572 East River Road, Tucson
 
(520) 615-7855 ext. 104
Sandy.Reith@pima.gov

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