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Adult Classes and Trips
Cholla Bud Harvest
April 14, 2024  | Participate in the centuries-old Sonoran Desert springtime ritual of harvesting cholla buds. You will learn how to collect, de-thorn and prepare this food for longer-term storage by drying or pickling. We will demonstrate cooking a few dishes that incorporate the buds. The flavor is mild, something like asparagus. The natural history of the cholla and its sister cactus the prickly pear will be discussed, along with the health benefits of desert foods in general. Prices and Registration Details |
Exploring Arizona’s Pygmy-OwlsApril 18 or April 23  | Arizona is fortunate to host two distinct species - the Northern Pygmy-Owl and the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl. This classroom program is a deep dive into the lives of these fascinating birds, shedding light on their biology, ecology, and conservation status, with a special emphasis on how they adapt to the unique Arizona desert environment. What sets this class apart is the invaluable firsthand observations of Steve Vaughan, a seasoned owl expert with decades of experience. This means you'll get a firsthand account from someone with an intimate knowledge of these remarkable creatures. Prices and Registration Details - April 23 |
Venomous Creatures of the Sonoran Desert
April 20, 2024  | The Sonoran Desert is home to a wide variety of venomous reptiles and arthropods and myths about them abound, yet only a handful are capable of producing medically significant injuries in people. Spend the morning learning which creatures are truly dangerous, how to identify them, avoid their bites and stings, and provide appropriate first aid. The class will discuss common myths and answer your questions about these interesting animals while providing the opportunity to view some of them up close. Prices and Registration Details |
Spring Plants and Wildflower Walks
May 1, 2024  | Join the Botany staff for a walk and lesson on identifying dozens of local canyon shrubs, forbes and, if we have good rains, wildflowers. You will learn about plant adaptations to living in a dry environment. We will follow a sandy wash up a canyon near the Museum. There are a few places where we will need to walk over small rock ledges. Total distance traveled will be two miles. Prices and Registration Details |
Valle Guadalupe: Exploring Baja’s Hinterlands
May 12 - 17, 2024 | 
| Valle de Guadalupe is set on a spectacular alluvial plain surrounded by olive orchards, beautiful vineyards and expansive ranch lands. The area has evolved into a wine and culinary mecca. On this tour we visit the best wineries and farm-to-table restaurants, and learn about the history of native cultures, as well as colonial ones, and their relationships with the land. Distinctively significant is the indigenous community of San Antonio Necua, connecting early Spanish and Russian settlers to the valley. Highlights include an afternoon at a tribal community, several wine tastings, over-the-top culinary experiences and Pacific ocean-front hotel accommodations. Itinerary and Trip Details Prices and Registration Details |
Birding the Chiricahuas
June 3 - 5, 2024  | Southeastern Arizona is a paradise for birders. Join us for three full days exploring different elevation habitats as we search for great birds! Among our targets will be the Mexican Chickadee, Elegant Trogon, Montezuma Quail, Painted Redstart and Red-faced Warbler. We will also do some owling at night and set up a blacklight to see what insects we can attract. Our leader is Jeff Babson, owner of Sky Island Tours, who is an expert birder, plus has a keen eye for butterflies and dragonflies. The price of this tour is all-inclusive covering three meals a day, lodging and transportation from Tucson. We will stay at the Southwest Research Station nestled in the oak-pine woodland of Cave Creek Canyon. Itinerary and Trip Details Prices and Registration Details - Dorm Rooms Prices and Registration Details - Triplex Rooms |
Saguaro Fruit Harvest
June 27 or 29, 2024  | High summer is the beginning of the O’odham calendar, as this is the time to harvest saguaro fruit. Spend the morning gathering fruit in the O’odham manner, using a harvesting pole made from the ribs of the giant cactus. The class begins with a blessing and song by our O’odham friends who share their family stories about the importance of the saguaro. We learn about different ways that the fruit is prepared and preserved, and about the animals that use the saguaro for food and shelter. This class will take place entirely outdoors at a site a couple of miles from the Museum. Prices and Registration Details - June 27 Prices and Registration Details - June 29 |
Northern Spain via the Slow Train
September 12 – 26, 2024  | The rain in Spain falls mainly north of the plain. And that is why the land is emerald green. This is the land that the Celts originated from and that the Basques continue to inhabit. On this tour we learn about Bronze Age castros, Roman gold and iron mining, and Asturian and Cantabrian traditional lifeways. As a counterpoint to the old, we visit Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum of modern art, and learn about and taste Basque culture. We explore the hinterlands of farms, forests and hamlets, walking a stretch of the Camino de Santiago. Our coastal route follows the narrow-gauge local train, the FEVE, from which we hop on and off for stays at seaside towns, where we drink apple cider and enjoy regional seafood and Asturian fabada. Then there is the fairytale scenery: the northern edge of the peninsula falls dramatically into the Cantabrian Sea in steeply tilted rock walls. To complement the landscape, we share lessons on the geology of the Iberian Peninsula. | |
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