Sabino Canyon Recreation Area - 15 minutes from Conference Venue/Westin
Fee: $8/vehicle Amenities: Visitor Center (8am-2pm M-F; 8am-4pm weekends), vending machines, restrooms Located on the northeast corner of Sunrise Blvd and Sabino Canyon Road at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. See soaring mountains, deep canyons, and the unique plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. The wonders of the desert foothills and rocky gorges of the Santa Catalina Mountains are marvelous and accessible. Tram routes provide access to the visitor center, which offers plenty of wildlife and trailside interpretive information. If riding a tram does not stir your sense of adventure, there are miles of hiking trails that wander throughout the area and lead deeper into the Santa Catalina backcountry. Google Map link for Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. |
Biosphere 2 - 37 minute drive from Conference Venue/Westin
Fees: $25.00/Adult; $23.00/Senior The world’s largest living research center focused on the future life of our planet. Dedicated to scientific research in regards to Earth and its different systems. Come tour one of the world's most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. The Biosphere 2 facility serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena for scientific discovery and discussion, and a far-reaching provider of public education. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe; to catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future; to be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and the public; and to distill issues related to Earth. Google Map link with directions from Conference Venue/Westin. |
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Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area - 2 hours from Conference Venue/Westin
No Entrance Fee Amenities: Restrooms, bring snacks and water Located in southeastern Arizona, Whitewater Draw (WWD) is an AZGFD Commission owned property, Many people visit WWD each winter to experience the memorable sights and sounds of more than 20,000+ sandhill cranes. These birds spend the night standing in WWD’s shallow waters to evade predators, and then fly out each morning to feed and socialize in the surrounding area. They return to WWD around 11 am and in the evening around 6 pm. Great site for birding in general, and to see massive amounts of Sandhill Cranes. There are restrooms on site, but no other amenities, so bring water and snacks with you. On the drive to WWD you do pass through historic Tombstone, Arizona (about 35 minutes before you get to WWD) where there are restaurants and other facilities. Link to Google Map directions from the Conference Venue/Westin. |
Tohono Chul Gardens, Bistro, Gallery - 11 minutes from Conference Venue/Westin
Fees: $15 for Non-member adults; $13/Seniors Excellent gardens, good eats, and cool art. The mission of the Tohono Chul is to enrich people’s lives by connecting them with the wonders of nature, art, and culture in the Sonoran Desert region and inspiring wise stewardship of the natural world. Google Map directions from Conference Venue/Westin to Gardens. |
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Pima Air and Space Museum - 28 minutes from Conference Venue/Westin
Entrance Fee: $16.50 for Adults/ $13.75 for Seniors
Google Map Link with directions from the Conference Venue/Westin. |
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Kartchner Caverns State Park - 1.15 hours from Conference Venue/Westin
Fees: $7/Vehicle Hours: 8:30am - 4pm Amenities: tours, visitor center, café Kartchner Caverns State Park offers tours of the magnificent limestone cave. The cave is beautiful with its icicle-like structures called stalactites and tapered mounds called stalagmites. Bat hibernaculum, cool paleontology, neat stuff! Google Map with directions from the Conference Venue/Westin. |
Colossal Cave Mountain Park - 52 minutes from Conference Venue/Westin
Fees: $18/Adult Amenities: Cave tours, museum, Western trail rides, wooded picnic areas Beautiful 2,400-acre desert park, on the National Register of Historic Places, showcasing crystal-filled Colossal Cave and historic La Posta Quemada Ranch. The Colossal Cave Mountain Park provides three different types of tours of the cave. Google Map with directions from Conference Venue/Westin. |
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2022 meeting location: Tucson, Arizona |
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