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Photo: Jay Pierstorff
Ready, Set, Fly!

Ever wondered what it's like to feel the brush of a Harris's Hawk's feathers? Or watch owls dip and dive in the desert? Our popular program, Raptor Free Flight, is back and better than ever! Members: Enjoy a special preview on Friday, October 20, at 10:00 a.m. Opening day for the general public will be on Saturday, October 21, at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Pro tip: Please arrive at least 20 minutes early to park and walk. Our birds of prey are very popular! Join the Raptor Rush!  
Photo: ASDM/Kat Rumbley
Music, Minerals, & Monarchs

A day filled with terrific tunes, fabulous food, and desert conservation games sounds like a great day to us! For the second year, we have partnered with Dusk Music Festival to bring conservation knowledge to the public in fun and engaging ways. Make sure to stop by our booth to have your face painted, play conservation jenga, and  make your own mineral magnet. Bonus: This year, we will be receiving a portion of drink sales from the two-day event to support our conservation efforts. 

Photo: ASDM/Kat Rumbley
3 Parks: 1 Partnership (Part Four)

In 14 days, the Sonoyta mud turtle will be officially listed as an endangered species. This listing comes exactly 99 days after the Desert Museum had three Sonoyta mud turtles hatch in captivity, marking the first ever successful captive breeding for this subspecies. The recent listing is considered a win for these tenacious turtles and the biologists studying them. The endangered listing will increase awareness and attention for the population.  Curious About Conservation?
Photo: Stephen Bernier
Black Lava and White Sand

Have you ever wanted to walk on lava flows and see giant maar craters? Join us for a 4-day adventure exploring the volcanic desertscape of the Sierra Pinacates and the biodiversity of the Sea of Cortez in Sonora, Mexico. Guests will also visit the Sonoran Tohono O'odham village of Quitovac, a special oasis along the ancient salt pilgrimage trail to the sea. Trip includes lodging on the beach in Rocky Point with balconies overlooking the beautiful ocean. $975/Members, $1,072/Non-members. November 3-6 and 25-28.  Book Today!

Photo: Pablo Lopez
Flower Friday

Want to make your backyard a butterfly oasis? Plant these cool "Cosmic Orange" blooms (Cosmos bipinnatus) to attract important pollinators. These flowers are a popular choice in gardens across the country as they offer a sunshine pop of color! They also make gorgeous summer bouquets. The pretty plant is native to Mexico but has naturalized in many different areas of the world. You can see these beauties blooming in our Labyrinth Garden.  Dig Deeper!  
Photo: ASDM/Kat Rumbley
Volunteer Viernes

We would like to congratulate our volunteers of the month, LisaKay Westberry and Glenn Seplak. LisaKay is a School Group Assistant and Survey Volunteer. Her warm smile encourages guests of all ages to enjoy their experience at the Museum. Glenn volunteers with the Interpretive Animal Collection department. He is always willing to go above and beyond to help. We could not do what we do without them. Thank you for being such a great addition to the family.  Volunteer Today!

What's Going Down in the Desert? 
  • Photo Walk (October 7)
  • Coati Kids Club Members Meeting (October 7) 
  • Raptor Free Flight Opening Day(s) (October 20 & 21) 
Want more info on these awesome events? Check it Out!  
 
October 6, 2017