Arizona Site Steward Program -- Region Six

The following are organizations that provide memberships, lectures and tours involving Southwest Archaeology. If you would like to add experience and/or a stronger background to your southwest archaeology expertise, please become familiar with these groups.

Mar 13th
1-3 pm
tour is 2 hours long and reservations are required
Contact 791-6412 or susan_wells@nps.gov

Saguaro National Park is offering special programs this spring that explore the park’s wonderful natural and cultural history. Come along on a naturalist-led evening walk in the park, or join a local expert for a presentation in one of our visitor centers. Programs are offered at both the east and west districts. Interpretive programs are free, but park entrance fees apply. Program schedules are subject to change – call the visitor centers for schedule updates or for reservations.

Special Programs at Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West)

March 5 3:45 p.m. Silhouettes at Sundown 2.5 miles, 3 hour hike
Trek along an arroyo as the setting sun magically silhouettes the Southwest’s most famous icon – the giant saguaro. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 733-5158. This program also offered March 12 and 19.

March 13 3:00 p.m. “Death by Fire” Guest Speaker
NPS Fire Ecologist Perry Grissom helps the park’s ecosystems keep their natural fire regimes. In the desert portions, that means keeping fire out, as well as non-native plants that can spread fire in the park. He will discuss buffelgrass’s impact on the Sonorans Desert’s plants, animals and human residents. Learn the results of recent research into fire behavior in buffelgrass. This program is wheelchair accessible.

March 25 3:00 p.m. “Wasson Peak Moonlight Hike” 8 miles, 6½ to 7 hours
This 8-mile round-trip hike climbs 1,700 feet to the highest point in the Tucson Mountains, arriving in time to enjoy the 360 degree view of the sunset; the descent is by the light of the moon. The hike is at an easy pace but considered somewhat difficult. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 733-5158.

March 26 5:00 p.m. “Twilight Glow to Moon Shadows Hike” 2½ miles, 3½ hours
This easy 2½-mile stroll bridges sunset and darkness, letting hikers experience the desert both in the twilight glow and in moon shadows. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 733-5158.

March 27 4:30 p.m. “Sunset Hike” 3½ miles, 3½ to 4 hours
A 3½-mile round-trip route gains 700 feet (with some switchbacks) before attaining a beautiful ridgeline for sunset; the descent is by the light of the moon. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 733-5158.

March 28 5:15 p.m. “Moon Take Night Make Day Hike” 2½ miles, 3 hours
Hikers on this gentle, relatively flat, 2½-mile hike travel up a desert wash during the transition from day to night, enjoy the sunset atop a hill, then return under the moonlight. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 733-5158.

March 30 8:15 p.m. “Moonrise Over the Mountains” 45 minute patio talk
Relax around a campfire on the visitor center patio as the full moon rises above the cactus forest. Bring a lawn chair and warm clothing. No reservations required. This program is wheelchair accessible.

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Special Programs offered at the Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) include:

March 5 9:00 a.m. “Cowboys in the Rincon Valley” 2 ½ miles, 2 hour hike
Join a park naturalist on this 2½-mile hike to explore the history and nature of the Rincon Valley. Meet at the visitor center, then caravan to the Hope Camp Trail. Wear comfortable hiking shoes, a hat and bring water and a trail snack. This program will also be offered March 12, 19 and 26.

March 6 10:00 a.m. “4th Annual Fiesta de Saguaro”
Join Saguaro National Park as we celebrate our Hispanic heritage, history and culture. A full day of activities is planned, including craft demonstrators, Mariachi music and folklorico dancers, special presentations, and children’s arts and crafts. Traditional Mexican food will be available for purchase. Free shuttle service will be offered from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. from the Sahuaro Baptist Church (northeast corner of Houghton Road and Old Spanish Trail). Call the visitor center at 733-5153 for more information.

March 11 7:00 p.m. “Star Party”
Join park naturalists for an introduction to astronomy and a look at the desert night sky. Telescopes and binoculars will be available. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 733-5153. Program is wheelchair accessible.

March 12 & 26 7:00 p.m. “Night Walk” 1 mile, 2 hours
Join a park naturalist for this easy 2-hour hike to explore and experience the Sonoran Desert at night. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring water and a flashlight. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 733-5153.

March 18 7:00 p.m. “Venomous and poisonous Creatures” Guest Speaker
Join naturalist Sandy Reith in the visitor center auditorium to learn about the biology and adaptations of some of Arizona’s amazing creatures, including rattlesnakes, scorpions and Gila monsters. Program is wheelchair accessible.

March 20 6:15 p.m. “Sunset and Crescent Moon Hike” 3 miles, 3 hours
Watch the sun set (along with the crescent moon) over the Tucson Basin, then follow a ranger into the evening darkness of Saguaro National Park’s Rincon Valley for an exploration of the lore of both earth and sky in our Sonoran Desert sanctuary. Bring a flashlight, snack, water, rugged footwear. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 733-5153. (Directions to trailhead will be provided.)

Daily Programs

The park’s two districts offer additional daily interpretive programs not listed here. Contact either of our visitor centers for updated schedules, or visit our website online at http://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/things2do.htm.

For members only:
March 2010
Events Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Snaketown Excavations
Brought to you jointly by the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society and Arizona State Museum. Keep an eye out for details!

Tuesday–Thursday, March 9–11, 2010
CASA GRANDE TO CABORCA: 12,000 Years of Arizona/Sonora History
See Our Travel Tours Page

April 2010
Mammoth Lecture Series
Thursday evenings in April. Saturday site tour. Stay tuned for details!

June 3–13, 2010
TUCSON, TULA & TLAXCALA: 4,000 Years of Cultural Interaction
See Our Travel Tours Page

Lecture Series:

The Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society’s monthly meetings and lectures are held the 3rd Monday of each month, except August, at 7:30 p.m. at Duval Auditorium, University Medical Center, 1501 North Campbell Avenue (north of Speedway).

Mar 15th
Chimney Rock and Chaco Canyon, Pinnacle and Mesa Verde: Ancestral Pueblo Regional Dynamics
by Steve Lekson, Univ. of Colorado

Duval Auditorium can be reached by proceeding either north or south on North Campbell and turning west into the UMC between the two traffic lights - one is at Speedway and one is at Elm. Free parking is available south of Mabel Street, across from the College of Nursing. The Front Entrance is on the top level of the parking structure. Duval Auditorium is on the 2nd level of the Hospital. Upon entering the Front Entrance, turn right and then follow the signs to Duval Auditorium.

Building a Preservation Archaeology Network across the Greater Southwest

The Center for Desert Archaeology, a private nonprofit organization, promotes the stewardship of southwestern archaeology and historic resources in the American Southwest and Mexican Northwest through active research, preservation, and public education.
For information on their programs go to http://www.cdarc.org/

Mar 16th-6pm
Where Did the Mimbres Go, Where Did Casas Grandes Come From
by Steve Lekson
Casa Vicente, 375 S Stone

FREE PRESENTATIONS THIS MONTH

Mar 6: 7-3
Tour Rock Art and Archaeology of Ventana Cave
Meet at parking lot Pima Community College-401 N Bonita Ave
reservations required-fee
call 798-1201
March 13, 2010 “Vista del Rio Archaeology Celebration” featuring children’s activities and guided archaeological site tours at the City of Tucson’s Vista del Rio Cultural Resource Park*
Mar 20: 8-12
Los Morteros and Picture Rock Petroglyphs-Spring Equinox Tour
Meet at NE corner of Silverbell Rd and Linda Vista in Marana
reservations required
call 798-1201
Friday June 11-Tuesday June 15, 2010
(Reservation deadline Friday June 4, 2010)
"Mimbres Ruins, Rock Art, and Museums of Southern New Mexico" archaeology
education “flex-tour” tour with Registered Professional Archaeologist
Allen Dart, sponsored by Old Pueblo Archaeology Center, van departing
from Pima Community College, 401 N. Bonita Ave., Tucson, or drive your
own vehicle and meet tour in Silver City, NM
3 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Tuesday. $799 per person includes van transport
and lodging (double accommodations; single $839); or $200 if you provide
your own transport and lodging; $25 discount for Old Pueblo Archaeology
Center and Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary members
Registered Professional Archaeologist Allen Dart leads this “flex-tour” –
featuring your choice of whether the tour sponsor or you will provide the
transportation and lodging – to Classic Mimbres and Early Mogollon
village archaeological sites, spectacular petroglyph sites, and a museum
with probably the finest Mimbres Puebloan pottery collection in the
world, all in southwestern New Mexico’s Silver City, Mimbres, and Deming
areas. Places tentatively to be visited include the original Mogollon
Village and Harris sites excavated by archaeologist Emil W. Haury; the
Gila Cliff Dwellings; Classic Mimbres sites (Beauregard-Montezuma,
Cottonwood, Gattons Park, Lake Roberts Vista, Mattocks, Old Town, and
Woodrow); the Frying Pan Canyon and Pony Hills petroglyph sites; and the
Western New Mexico University Museum. The tour will be based in Silver
City and depart from a hotel there each morning. Hotels, camping, and
other accommodations for those who wish to arrange their own lodging and
transport are available in Silver City. Registrants are responsible for
their own meals. Van tour includes transportation and lodging.
Reservations required: 520-798-1201 or info@oldpueblo.org