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Special Events for 2024

Mark your calendars now for these fun events! And as always, we'll send you an invitation and program links before each one.

Bonus Event: Rockin’ Minerals — Family Fun Fair and Mineral Sale:
Saturday and Sunday, January 13-14 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily on grounds.

Start your own mineral collection at stations around the grounds and enjoy our mineral sale to add more! Coati Kids Club members (and two accompanying adults and siblings 5 and younger) get free admission to the events either day.

No Hurry, We’re Thirty:
Saturday, January 27, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in the Education Annex Classrooms 1-2.

The Coati Kids Club is turning 30 this year! Celebrate this milestone by meeting some long-lived desert dwellers and identify how they thrive at 30 and beyond.

Outdoor Explorers: Ironwood Forest National Monument Hike.
Saturday, February 24, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.*

This protected area northwest of Tucson is home to amazing plants and animals including hardy ironwood trees, desert tortoises, and bighorn sheep. Join Friends of Ironwood Forest naturalists on a hike to explore this little-known natural treasure. *We will meet at Marana Airport at 9:30 to be led to the site. Longer event time includes commute and option to bring and eat lunch there.

Bountiful Beans:
Saturday, May 4, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in the Education Annex Classrooms 1-2.

Our desert is full of plants in the legume family – their fruits are a bounty of beans. Explore the many varieties of wild and cultivated beans in our region and how they benefit desert dwellers.

Riveting Roadrunners:
Saturday, July 27, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in the Education Annex Classrooms 1-2.

Roadrunners are one of our region’s most charismatic birds. Investigate truths and myths about these curious cuckoos.

Bats Incredible!
Saturday, August 17, 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Education Annex Classrooms 1-2.

With their super-senses and athletic flight, bats perform amazing feats. Uncover the secrets of these night flyers then enjoy the desert evening throughout the grounds on a bat-themed Cool Summer Night.

Exceptional Eyes:
Saturday, September 21, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in the Education Annex Classrooms 1-2.

Special color vision? Reflective mirrors? Lots of lenses? Heat sensors? You may not believe your eyes as we explore the many ways different animals see the world.

Ravin’ About Raptors:
Saturday, October 19, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. in the Education Annex Classrooms 1-2 and on grounds.

From falcons to owls to hawks, discover the wonders of our desert’s birds of prey. We’ll figure out what tools these winged hunters need to find, catch, and eat their prey. And we&ll meet one of our Animal Experiences trainers and birds to talk about our Raptor Free Flight upcoming season.

Packrat Playhouse Overnighter:
Saturday, Nov. 16-17, 5 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. in the Education Annex Classrooms 1-2 and on grounds.*

Explore the beauty of a desert fall night as we meet nocturnal animals, take a night hike, stargaze, and more. We’ll also play like a packrat and set up cozy sleeping spots in our Packrat Playhouse! *Space limited to one adult per child member. $20/person additional fee includes dinner and breakfast.

More Events of Interest:

• Save Our Saguaros, January through March. Get involved in activities to protect our desert from buffelgrass, learn about this threat, and what we can do to help. Participate in a buffelgrass pull! Find out more.
• Summer Museum Explorers kids’ camps: June 3-7, 10-14, and 24-28. Coati Kids Club members receive a discount!