May 14 – Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Learn Your Lizards
8:30 am – 11:00 am. The Arboretum’s unique series of summertime ‘Lizard Walks’ continues May 14 with a guest leader To Be Announced, then ‘Wild Man Phil’ Rakoci returns June 11, July 9 and Aug. 13. Expect to see native lizards such as Tree, Side-blotched and Western Whiptail scampering across the Arboretum trails. Bring binoculars for close-up views of our most colorful little reptiles, and make sure to carry water and wear plenty of sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat. Bring a camera, too; tour guides for these walks are enrolled Arizona State Parks volunteer and are allowed to safely catch-and-release a few lizards so visitors can get up-close-and-personal views and photographs. Park rules prohibit others from disturbing wildlife here, so please leave your own lizard nooses and butterfly nets at home. Read Margie Klein’s article about looking for lizards here.
Migratory Bird Day
6:00 am – 11:00 am. Help count cardinals, tally towhees and census sparrows at the Arboretum, up Queen Creek, at Oak Flat and other nearby avian hotspots with other Pinal County volunteer surveyors participating with the annual Migratory Bird Day count. To volunteer or for more information contact Pinal County coordinator Doug Jenness by phone at 520-909-1529 or by email to d_jenness(at)hotmail.com
Girl Scout Badge Workshops
9:00 am. Badge workshops offer scouts, and also family members, a chance to study subjects ranging from photography to desert critters, wildlife and even finding your way in the outdoors! Badge workshops for Cadettes will earn the “Wildlife” badge May 14. Fees are $5.00 per scout and $7.50 per adult; Girl Scout families may also bring non-scout participants for a $3.00 for other kids between age 5-12. To sign up and prepay, have a credit card ready and call Arboretum staff at 520-689-2723.
May 14 & 15 – Homolovi State Park
7:30 am to 3:30 pm. The Arizona Archaeological Society will be stabilizing (repairing the mortar) the 5 rooms and kiva at Homolovi II May 7-8 and May 14-15. They are very willing to talk to the visiting public about the work they are doing and will even take groups on impromptu tours of the ruins.
May 15 – Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Tree Tour With Terry Mikel
8:30 am. “What’s an Arboretum?” Terry Mikel is our special guest as tour guide for a Sunday walk where visitors learn the answer to that often-posed question during a relaxed and leisurely guided tour through the forested areas of the Arboretum. Join us for a chance to learn about the towering sycamore and cottonwood trees, native hackberry, mesquite and many more.
May 16 & 17 – Red Rock State Park
Moonlight Hikes
April – October. (Dates and start times vary, contact the park for information.) An unforgettable experience, Red Rock State Park’s very popular Moonlight Hike includes a naturalist-led interpretive hike on the park’s beautiful trails. Enjoy the sunset and moonrise from an overlook and return by the light of the moon. The hike lasts for approximately 2 to 2-2½ hours, has an elevation climb of 200-250 feet and covers 2 miles. Dress comfortably, wear appropriate hiking shoes, and bring water, a flashlight and insect spray. The Park recommends that you come through the gate approximately 30 minutes before the starting time to ensure your participation. No late arrivals will be allowed to join the hike. Please wear suitable clothing and shoes (prepare for cool nights) and bring water, a flashlight, and insect spray. Please call for starting time and reservations, which are required. A $5.00 per person program fee will be charged at the time of the reservation. There is also a $10.00 entrance fee to the Park for a car of four adults.
May 21 – Patagonia Lake State Park
Mariachi Festival: Dances, Food & Fun!
Spice up your spring with the Annual Mariachi Festival. Enjoy a wide variety of Southern Arizona Mariachi bands on stage. There are also concessions, but visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic basket. In addition, Patagonia offers picnicking, birding and nature walks. Come join the fun.
Photograph Courtesy Ballet Folklórico Tapatío, who will be performing at this event!
May 21 – Jerome State Historic Park
Jerome Lecture Series
10 am. Armed Forces Day Ceremony A Salute to the World War II Veterans. Come join us as we present presentations on history, prehistory and natural history of Arizona.
May 21 – Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Plants Of The Bible Walk
8:30 am. Dave Oberpriller teaches participants about botany, history and scripture on a slow-paced and relaxing weekend walk down smooth and flat trails that are wheelchair-accessible. Frankincense is among the most famous plants referenced in scripture, and Dave often has a few of his own potted, rare frankincense plants available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Arboretum. Editor’s Note: daily hours are 6:00am to 3:00pm from May-through-August, and this tour moves to an 8:30 am start time May 21, June 18, July 16 and August 20.
May 22 – Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Edible – Medicinal Desert Plants Walk
8:30 am. Learn about desert plants which have fed, healed and clothed Sonoran desert peoples for more than a thousand years. This tour explores the Curandero Trail, which has steep sections that are not suitable for visitors who use wheelchairs or walkers. Daily hours are 6:00am to 3:00pm from May-through-August.
May 28 – Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Geology Tour
8:30 am. The Arboretum’s once-a-month geology tour teaches about some of the rocks and volcanic formations seen along the main trail — and compresses almost two billion years of geologic history into just over one educational hour. Learn about Pinal schist, the volcanic origins of Picket Post Mountain and the Apache Leap tuff with tourguide Ben Henderson. Editor’s Note: daily hours are 6:00am to 3:00pm from May-through-August. Tour start is 8:30 am May 28, June 25, July 23 (with tourguide Steve Semken); August 27 and September 24
Butterfly Walks
9:30 am. Learn about butterflies on a guided walk lead by Marceline Vandewater May 28 and again June 25. Marceline is among board members of the Central Arizona Butterfly Association, read about other guided walks around the state at https://www.cazba.org. View photos of butterflies commonly seen in the Arboretum gardens at https://ag.arizona.edu/bta/butterflies.html.