The learning never stops at Tohono Chul – discover this for yourself in our Classes, Lectures, & Workshops!
We’re all about connecting our members and visitors to the amazing world around us, offering them opportunities to make their own discoveries about the nature, art, and culture of our region. Read on for our latest listings of classes, lectures, and workshops designed to engage and delight!
Cancellation Policy
We reserve the right to cancel or postpone an event due to lack of enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances, in which case, a full refund will apply. If you cancel your registration in a workshop within two weeks of the scheduled class – a full refund will be issued if your space can be filled. No refund will be issued for a class or lecture retailed at $15 or less.
Weekly Programs
Nature Journaling
Thursday Mornings
8:00 AM
Park Entrance
Free & Open to the Public
December 2024
Desert Dialogues | Birds of Southern Arizona
Thursday, December 12
1 – 2:30 PM
Wilson Room
Did you know that Southern Arizona has the highest number of bird species compared to other inland states? Aside from our costal states, we have the highest bird diversity in the country, and we do not need to leave Tucson to enjoy them. Join Tohono Chul Docent Ray Deeney as he leads a discussion of the most common birds found at Tohono Chul and the Tucson area. This lecture will include a 30 minute Q&A with Ray to answer your birding questions.
Members | $5
General Public | $10
Crepe Paper Crafts with Sandy Luna (Bilingual) | Poinsettia
Friday, December 13
9 AM – 12 PM
Education Center Classroom 1
Join Sandy Luna of Luna Paper designs to create crepe paper Poinsettias, also known as Noche Buenas or Pascuas in Spanish. Native to Mexico and Central America, poinsettias decorate homes, churches, and streets throughout the country during the holiday season. In this class, you will learn how to assemble three beautiful red poinsettias using crepe paper, glue, and wire. Additionally, you will learn about the history behind this traditional decoration. This is a one-day class that will last approximately three hours. English or Spanish speakers of all levels are welcome to join this bilingual class.
Members | $95
General Public | $115
Mosaic Mondays with David Jarvinen | Mini Mosaic Tower
Monday, December 16
10 AM – 4 PM
Education Center Classroom 1
Make a standing Garden Sculpture with Mosaic Artist David Jarvinen as he walks you through the mosaic process to create an 8 x 24″ art piece to display in your garden or entryway. Participants will learn how to manipulate porcelain 2×2 tiles to create designs and images for their project. The finished piece will sit in a custom stand and a grout kit will be provided to complete your design after the tile adhesive dries (24hrs). A wonderful project to explore mosaics with!
Members | $140
General Public | $170
January 2025
Lecture | An Exuberance of Cranes
Friday, January 3
2 – 3:30 PM
Wilson Room
Delve into the fascinating natural history, habits, and behaviors of Sandhill Cranes! We’ll explore the life of cranes from courtship and nesting, to raising their colts, their migration to southern Arizona, and how to interpret crane language and behavior. Join guest speaker Pinau Merlin for an engaging look at these charismatic birds. Illustration from Birds of America by John James Audubon.
Want to see the cranes in action? Sign up for one of our upcoming field trips on February 4th or February 14th to experience the magic and splendor of the Sandhill Cranes at Whitewater Draw!
Members | $10
General Public | $15
Desert Dialogues | Ethnobotany
Thursday, January 9
1 – 2:30 PM
Wilson Room
Take a deep dive into the cultural uses of many of our desert plants. From Prickly Pear juice to agave sewing needles, our docents Barb Carolus and Marlene Shamis will walk you through the historical usage of Sonoran Desert plants and ways they are being used today. This lecture will include a 30-minute demonstration on utilizing these arid adapted plants.
Members | $5
General Public | $10
TMA Art Talk | All Aboard for Streetcar Art
Thursday, January 16
10 – 11 AM
Wilson Room
Take a ride on the Tucson streetcar to see the public art created for this major project. This presentation will focus on the historical connection to art and transportation in general: how the project was funded; and the process for selecting works; show-and-tell about each work’s title and artist; and how each work interprets the theme “flow.” This talk will be given by TMA Docent, Alinda Hakanson.
TMA Members | Free
Tohono Chul Members | $5
General Public | $10
February 2025
Desert Dialogues | Butterflies
Thursday, February 13
1 – 2:30 PM
Wilson Room
In preparation for the spring, this upcoming Desert Dialogues covers the most common butterflies found at Tohono Chul. From year-round residents like Cloudless Surlfers (Phoebis sennae) and Bordered Patches (Cholsyne lacinia) to our seasonal residents like Gulf Fritillaries (Argaulis vanillae) and Monarchs (Danaus plexippus), our Docent Peggie Allen will discuss their lifecycles and hostplants so you can provide the best garden possible for these fluttering beauties.
Members | $5
General Public | $10
TMA Art Talk | A Perfect Red – Its Fascinating History of Desire and Discovery
Thursday, February 20
10 – 11 AM
Wilson Room
Throughout history, people have sought to create a bright, beautiful red to wear on themselves, see on their walls and everything in between. This is the story of how one insect changed the way the entire world was able to produce the most perfect red. This talk will be given by TMA Docent, Diane Foray.
TMA Members | Free
Tohono Chul Members | $5
General Public | $10
March 2025
TMA Art Talk | Beyond the Traditional – Contemporary Native
American Art
Thursday, March 20
10 – 11 AM
Wilson Room
A journey with contemporary Native American artists. Their works are creative, innovative, and modern while maintaining elements of tribal traditions and cultures. This talk will be given by TMA Docent, Judy Tracy.
TMA Members | Free
Tohono Chul Members | $5
General Public | $10
April 2025
TMA Art Talk | Art that Piqued our Childhood Imaginations – 80 Years of Caldecott Awards
Thursday, April 17
10 – 11 AM
Wilson Room
Picture books are often people’s first experience with art. Revisit several winners of the Caldecott Medal for children’s book illustration and experience the magic! This talk will be given by TMA Docent, Jan Weidenhammer.
TMA Members | Free
Tohono Chul Members | $5
General Public | $10
May 2025
TMA Art Talk | America in Stone and Steel
Thursday, May 15
10 – 11 AM
Wilson Room
The American landscape is dotted with statues, memorials and other sites designed to inspire, educate, and honor specific events or individuals. This Art Talk takes the time to analyze these as works of art. This talk will be given by TMA Docent, Chuck Tampio.
TMA Members | Free
Tohono Chul Members | $5
General Public | $10