If you are intrigued by the complex web of living things that makes up your environment, explore these interactive programs to further examine the relationships between living organisms and their role in the natural world.
Birds are a window to the natural world–those who become more aware and observant of birds often become more sensitive to all facets of nature. Former president of the Audubon Society of Portland Carlos Oldham shares his amazing birding enthusiasm and expertise. Designed specifically for beginning birders or anyone wishing to become more familiar with birds, this class combines interactive classroom sessions with fun outdoor field trips to great local birding hotspots. Students will be introduced to the enjoyment of bird watching and learn techniques of field identification, become familiar with common desert birds, and gain understanding of birds–how they work, why they behave the way they do, how they adapt to various habitats.
Students will also:
• Learn how to use binoculars and spotting scope (discussed in first class)
• Learn to identify 30 common desert birds by sight and then by sound
• Become familiar with terms used to describe birds and field marks
• Gain a basic understanding of bird life cycles and biology
• Learn about the Arizona hotspots birders flock to around our state
• See live birds of prey up close and personal in an exciting encounter.
Students will need binoculars and a birding field guide (recommended field guide is Sibley’s Field Guide to Birds of Western North America). Alternatively, National Geographic’s Field Guide to the Birds of North America is a good choice. Do not miss this great opportunity to start birding. Limit 20.
Click here to register on-line.
We are excited to offer this new workshop taught by research botanist and director of the Garden’s Herbarium Wendy Hodgson. Wendy’s enthusiasm for desert plants is contagious, and her years of field experience and research of Arizona flora make this offering a rare opportunity to learn from a renowned expert in the field. Students will gain a basic understanding of botanical terms, concepts, identification using a dichotomous key, major plant families of Arizona. Through hands-on exercises, learn techniques of plant collection, use of dissecting scopes, pressing and preservation of specimens, and herbarium resources. Workshop will be held in the herbarium and includes a Garden tour in the final session, featuring a behind the scenes look at Garden research operations. Limit 12.
Click here to register on-line.
