Saguaro National Park News Release 19-27
October 2019
Contacts: Saguaro West - Richard Hill (520) 733-5158, 2700 N. Kinney Rd.
Saguaro East - Melanie Florez (520) 733-5151, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail
Saguaro National Park October Program Schedule
Saguaro National Park is offering a variety of walks and talks that explore the park’s wonderful natural and cultural histories. Program listings also are available on the park’s website, www.nps.gov/sagu, or visit us on Facebook. Interpretive programs are free, but park entrance fees apply. Program schedules are subject to change; visitors should call the visitor centers for updates or reservations.
Naturalist Programs at Tucson Mountain District (West District), 2700 N. Kinney Rd.:
Programs are offered on most days in the morning at 10:15 and/or 11:15, and in the afternoon at 2:15 and/or 3:15 and last 30 to 45 minutes. Topics include mountain lions, lizards, coyotes, javelinas, kangaroo rats, insects, birds, survival strategies, the saguaro cactus, and other topics related to the desert. All programs are subject to change. Call the visitor center at (520) 733-5158 for updates the day of the program.
October 6, 13, 20, 27 3:15 p.m. Cooking With Prickly Pear Talk: 30 minutes
Learn how you can incorporate prickly pear into your diet. This program will show you how to collect and prepare prickly pear. Prepare for a sweet treat! Wheelchair accessible
Oct. 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 3111:15 a.m. Living With Giants Talk: 45 minutes
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
October 4, 11, 18, 24, 25, 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. Wheelchair accessible
October 8, 22 11:15 a.m. Life Cycle of the Saguaro: Seed to Giant Talk: 45 minutes
Hear some astonishing reasons about why so few Saguaro seeds make it to fruition. Wheelchair accessible.
October 4, 11, 18, 25 11:15 a.m. Marvelous Mimicry Talk: 30 minutes
Oct. 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28 2:15 p.m.
Not all is as it appears… Come learn all about the optical illusion that is mimicry and adaptation, of which has helped shape some of the life in the Sonoran Desert! Wheelchair accessible.
Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 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 cougar remains threatened by human encroachment. Wheelchair accessible
October 9, 23 2:15 p.m. Raptors! Talk: 30 minutes
Southern Arizona and the Sonoran Desert Region are renowned for the large variety of animal and plant species, especially birds, that can be found in the area. Among the most fascinating of those are the raptors, top predators of the avian world, who either live here year-round, or migrate through the area. Wheelchair accessible
Oct. 12, 19, 26 10:15 a.m. Spiny, Shady, and COOL! Walk: 45 minutes, 100 yards
Come for a short walk and discover the great variety of cacti that inhabit this unique and fascinating desert. Wheelchair accessible
Naturalist Programs at the Rincon Mountain District (East, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail):
Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 9:30 a.m. Showers of Saguaros Presentation
The majestic Saguaro depends on the billions of tiny raindrops shed by the mighty summer monsoon storms for its long-term survival. Accessible Program
Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 11:00 a.m. What’s New at Saguaro NP? Presentation
Saguaro National Park is best known for its variety of cactus, including the Giant Saguaro. Join park staff in the visitor center theater to take a look at the Rincon Mountains and the new plant species recently discovered up there. Accessible Program
Oct. 2, 9.16, 23, 30 2:00 p.m. The Saguaro Community Presentation
Join us in the visitor center theatre to discover how this area went from being a source for building supplies and food to Saguaro National Park, which protects this community of young and old saguaros. Accessible Program
October 5, 12, 19, 26 1:00 p.m. A Sticky Situation Presentation
A look at the cacti of Saguaro National Park, their flowers and fruit, and a few interesting facts. This program ends by answering the top twenty questions asked about our namesake saguaros. Theater presentation. Accessible Program
October 7, 14, 17, 21 10:00 a.m. Sonoran Lifestyles Guided Walk
25, 28, 29
Join a park naturalist on this 2-hour, 1-mile walk to discover how plants and animals adapt to life in the desert. Comfortable walking shoes and water are recommended.
October 7, 14, 21, 28 2:00 p.m. Adventures of Thelma the Tortoise Presentation
Go on a fantastic trip across the Sonoran Desert with one adventurous tortoise who called Saguaro National park her home - until she set her eye on farther horizons! Accessible Program
October 13 5:30 p.m. Full Moon Hike Guided Hike
Join a ranger on this 2.8 mile, 2.5 hour hike to see the full moon rise over the Rincon Mountains. Comfortable walking shoes, water and a flashlight are recommended. Reservations are required. Call the Visitor Center at (520) 733-5153.
Oct. 27, 31 11:00 a.m. Is it a Cactus or A … sparagus? Garden Walk
We all know a cactus when we see it, right? Maybe not! Find out how our two families of spiny succulent plants are the same, but different. Accessible program
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
Saguaro National Park
3693 S.Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, AZ 85730
https://nps.gov/sagu
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
