Field Trip - Biodiversity Survey

Program Content

This program explores the diversity of living organisms that make the Sonoran Desert their home and the tools of observation that scientists use to study them. Students will engage with:

• Binoculars and birding
• Saguaro measurement
• Holes as habitat
• The animal highway of a desert wash

 

Planning Your Field Trip

Where does it take place?

• West district - Ez-Kim-In-Zin Picnic Area

How many students can attend?

• Maximum group size: 60

How long is it?

• 2 hours

What about transportation?

If you need financial support for your transportation, the Friends of Saguaro National Park can help! Title 1 schools from the Tucson area can request a subsidy of us to $250. Schedule the bus through your district transportation office. After your field trip is complete, have your transportation department send the invoice to Environmental Education at 2700 N Kinney Rd. Tucson, AZ 85743 to apply for the transportation subsidy. If transportation requires more than 1 bus to accommodate your students, please let us know.

 

Before Your Field Trip

 

 

 

Getting To Your Field Trip

This program takes place on the WEST side of Saguaro National Park. Limited availability may be accomodated on the east district.

 

From north of Tucson:

• Take I-10 to Avra Valley Road (exit 242) and drive west 6 miles to Sandario Road.

• Turn left (south) on Sandario Road and drive for 14 miles.

• Turn left onto Golden Gate Road.

• Take it all the way to the end, turning left into the Ez-Kim-In-Zin Picnic Area.

From the center of Tucson:

• Travel west on Speedway Boulevard over Gates Pass to Kinney Road. NOTE: Vehicle weight limit 12,000 lbs. Vehicles over 25 feet not recommended. School buses should instead use directions from north or south of Tucson (above and below).

• Turn right (north) on Kinney Road and drive for 4 miles.

• At the junction of Kinney and Mile Wide Roads (one mile past the Desert Museum) turn right into Saguaro National Park.

• Continue north on Kinney Road, past the Red Hills Visitor Center.

• Turn right onto Sandario Road.

• Turn right again onto Golden Gate Road.

• Take it all the way to the end, turning left into the Ez-Kim-In-Zin Picnic Area.

From south of Tucson:

• From I-19 exit onto Ajo Way (State Route 86) and travel west to Kinney Road.

• Turn right (north) on Kinney Road and drive for 18 miles.

• At the junction of Kinney and Mile Wide Roads (one mile past the Desert Museum) turn right into Saguaro National Park.

• Continue north on Kinney Road, past the Red Hills Visitor Center.

• Turn right onto Sandario Road.

• Turn right again onto Golden Gate Road.

• Take it all the way to the end, turning left into the Ez-Kim-In-Zin Picnic Area.