Date: September 16, 2016
Contact: Melanie Florez , (520)733-5153
Contact: Richard Hill, (520)733-5158
Naturalist Programs at Tucson Mountain District (West District), 2700 N. Kinney Rd.:
October 1, 18, 22 11:15 a.m. Play Sonoran Desert Bingo! Game: 1 hour
Learn about the plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert while enjoying a rousing version of Bingo! Get five in a row –down, across, or diagonally –and win a non-monetary prize. Wheelchair accessible.
October 26 10:15 a.m. Mountain Lions: Beyond the Myth Talk: 45 minutes
Envision a puma stalking its prey, then uncover the true nature of this elusive but essential predator. Misunderstood, maligned, and nearly eradicated by settlers, the mountain lion remains threatened by human encroachment. Wheelchair accessible.
October 7, 14, 21, 28 3:15 p.m. Lizards are Hot, Lizards are Cool Talk: 30 minutes
Lizards are small denizens of the desert that are a critical component of our desert community. Find out what it means when they do pushups or exhibit other odd behaviors. Wheelchair accessible.
October 6, 13, 20, 27 3:15 p.m. Kangaroo Rat: Super Survivor Talk: 45 minutes
Learn about the remarkable behavioral and physical adaptations these rodents possess that allow them to survive harsh desert environments. Find out how this nocturnal animal escapes predators, evades heat, and endures aridity. Wheelchair accessible.
October 4, 18 3:15 p.m. Meet the Cuckoo of the Desert: The Roadrunner Talk: 30 minutes
The Greater Roadrunner is a popular and charismatic member of the desert community. Join a park naturalist for a Power Point presentation about the natural history, behaviors, and other facts about this colorful creature. Wheelchair accessible.
October 1, 14, 21, 28 2:15 p.m. Desert Dragons Talk: 30 minutes
What's a desert dragon? Clue: It's not a bearded dragon and Google isn't going to help much. Come discover these fascinating creatures and what's myth or fact in this fun and informative talk. Wheelchair accessible.
October 11, 25 3:15 p.m. How Do They Do It? Walk: 15 minutes, 100 yards
Discover how the plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert have adapted to the harsh conditions of this unique environment. (This program also is offered in Spanish October 4, 18 at 12:15 p.m.) Wheelchair accessible.
October 1, 8, 15, 18, 22, 26 2:15 p.m. Javelinas: Our Desert Neighbors Talk: 30 minutes
Sometimes referred to as the "desert pig," the javelina is not a pig at all. Learn about this intriguing creature and how it survives in this arid environment. Wheelchair accessible.(This program also will be given in Spanish October 1, 22 at 12:15 p.m.)
October 17, 19, 25, 29 2:15 p.m. Creepy Crawlers: The Silent Majority Talk: 30 minutes
Learn about some of our most feared and misunderstood arthropods who call this park home. Come discover how essential they are for our desert community and why we shouldn't fear these mostly harmless creatures.
October 6, 13, 20, 27, 29 11:15 a.m. Living With Giants Talk: 45 minutes
ALSO October 8, 15 3:15 p.m.
The saguaro celebrates events and faces challenges throughout its life. A biologist explains how it provides shelter and substance for wildlife; when it flowers;its growth patterns; and how it fights for survival against drought, lightning, frost, and other dangers. Wheelchair accessible.
Daytime Walks
October 11, 25 10:15 a.m. Adaptations: Recipe for Survival Easy 100-yard walk: 30 minutes
Take a walk in our Cactus Garden to discover some physical and behavioral adaptations of desert plants.
October 11, 25 11:15 a.m. Life Cycle of the Saguaro: Seed to Giant Walk: 45 minutes, 100 yards
Hear some astonishing reasons about why so few Saguaro seeds make it to fruition.
October 5, 19 10:15 a.m. Sonoran Secrets to Desert Survival Talk &Walk: 60 minutes, 200 yards
Begin with comments on the shaded patio, then stroll a sidewalk next to the Visitor Center and identify the most common hazards hidden in the desert, uncover survival strategies of native plants and animals, and acquire practical tips to ensure your safety, particularly as temperatures rise with the approach of summer. Wheelchair accessible.
October 17, 18, 19, 26 11:15 a.m. Spiny, Shady, and COOL! Walk: 30 minutes, 100 yards
Come for a short walk and discover the great variety of cacti that inhabit this unique and fascinating desert.
October 8, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 10:15 a.m. Cactus Garden Stroll
Enjoy a stroll in our Cactus Garden while learning about the park's cacti, trees, and more. Keep an eye out for birds and lizards and discuss the day's "catch", you'll never know what you'll see this day! Wheelchair accessible.
October 27 2:15 p.m. Synergy in the Desert: The Sonoran Habitat Talk and Walk: 45 minutes
For all of life, "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts" is true. The iconic Saguaro is the focal point for a discussion of how the parts of the Sonoran Desert work together to create a rich living desert that is unique in the world.
Spanish Language Programs
October 4, 18 12:15 p.m. ¿Como Pueden Sobrevivir? Walk: 15 minutes, 100 yards
(Spanish version of How Do They Do It?) Charla en Español donde discutiremos como las plantas y animalesdel desierto Sonorense se han adaptado a través de los años para poder sobrevivir y florecer en nuestro único y duro ambiente. Wheelchair accessible.
October 1, 22 12:15 p.m. Jabalíes, Nuestros Vecinos Del Desierto Talk: 30 minutes
(Spanish version of Javelina: Our Desert Neighbors) Usted está invitado a acompañar a un naturalista delparque durante su presentación "Jabalíes, Nuestros Vecinos del Desierto." A veces referido como el cerdo deldesierto, averigüe por qué el jabalí no es un cerdo. Descubra la historia natural de este fascinante animal y cómose las arregla para sobrevivir en este ambiente árido. Wheelchair accessible.
Naturalist Programs at the Rincon Mountain District (East, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail):
October 1 &22 1:00 p.m.. The Point of the Matter is Cactus Presentation
October 12 11:00 a.m
Cacti are much more than strange plants with spines. They are uniquely equipped to thrive in the desertenvironment, and every year bloom with spectacular flowers. This theater presentation will highlight these survivalmarvels with a beautiful photo gallery. Wheelchair accessible.
October 5 & 26 11:00 a.m. A Sticky Situation at Saguaro Presentation October 15 1:00 p.m.
Here at Saguaro national Park East we have over 30 species of cacti and each is beautiful in its own way. Findingthem all is hard, but we will look at them in a stunning photo gallery and learn a few uses these plants have tothose living here and beyond. Wheelchair accessible.
October 8 & 29 1:00 p.m. Flash, Whoosh, Gush & Growth: Monsoons Presentation October 19 1:00 p.m.
The summer heat and humidity bring the mighty and sometimes destructive monsoon rain. Saguaros, toads andothers depend on these drenching afternoons to begin a new season of life in the dry desert. A fabulous videoopens this theater presentation. Wheelchair accessible.
October 14, 21, 28 10:00 a.m. Cactus Caravan Auto Tour
Begin your exploration of the Cactus Forest Drive with a park ranger and become familiar with some of thecommon cacti. A great introduction to the park! Wheelchair accessible.
October 14 & 28 7:00 p.m. Night Walk 1 mile guided walk
Join a park naturalist for this easy two-hour hike to explore and experience the Sonoran Desert at night. Dress forthe weather, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring water and a flashlight. As space is limited, advancedreservations are required, and can be made by calling (520) 733-5153.
October 15, 16, 23 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. Cactus Garden Walk Easy Walk
Join a park naturalist to discover the many secrets of our Sonoran Desert plants. Wheelchair accessible.
October 20 7:00 p.m. Star Party illustrated program & activity
Join park naturalists for an introduction to astronomy and a look at the desert night sky. Telescopes andbinoculars will be available. Reservations required. Call 733-5153. Wheelchair accessible.
Both visitor centers are open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, except Christmas Day.
Red Hills Visitor Center (Saguaro WEST)
2700 North Kinney Road
Tucson, AZ 85743
(520) 733-5158
Rincon Mountain Visitor Center (Saguaro EAST)
3693 South Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, AZ 85730
(520) 733-5153
For more information about Saguaro National Park and some of its partners, Friends of Saguaro National Park,Western National Parks Association, and the Rincon Institute, visit these websites:
www.nps.gov/sagu
www.wnpa.org
www.friendsofsaguaro.org
www.rinconinstitute.org
