Tucson Weekly: Listings: Outdoors (March 12

OUTDOORS
ARCHAEOLOGY AWARENESS MONTH. Old Pueblo Archaeology celebrates Arizona Archaeology Awareness Month with the following fun and educational activities for the entire family: Join Tucson archaeologist Allen Dart for a free presentation of "Arts and Culture of the Prehistoric Hohokam Indians," a discussion of Hohokam culture and religion, with a slide show depicting more than 140 artifacts recovered from Hohokam sites dated from A.D. 400-1450. Call 798-1201 for registration and information.
Listings DESERT ARCHAEOLOGY TOURS. The Center for Desert Archaeology offers whole and half-day tours of local archaeological treasures, including: the Romero Ruin Tour, a look at the remnants of the four great cultures that once inhabited the Catalina State Park area; the Rock Art Tour, an in-depth look offering hikers a chance to visit petroglyph sites near Tucson; and the Downtown Tucson Tour, featuring more than 30 centuries of history. Tours available for individuals and groups. Wear long-sleeved clothing and a hat, and make sure you've got sturdy shoes with ankle support and good traction. Water is provided. Call 885-6283 for information.
FIELD BOTANY CLASS. The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum offers Field Botany for the Amateur Naturalist, a one-day class in the techniques used by professional ecologists to describe plant communities, species diversity and species richness. Join ASDM researcher Ton Van Devender and nursery horticulturist John Weins from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15, for a morning gathering expedition and afternoon lab session. Pre-registration is required. Class fees are $35 for members, $45 for non-members, and include admission to museum grounds. Call Barbara Yates at 883-3022 for information and registration.
ORGAN PIPE TOURS. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument presents free, guided drives along the Ajo Mountain Drive. This two-and-a-half hour tour includes desert landscapes, geological formations and more. Tours are offered at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, through April. Tours are free, and begin at the Visitors Center. There is a $4 monument entrance fee. Call 1-520-387-6849 for directions and information.
TOHONO CHUL PARK. 7366 N. Paseo del Norte. 742-6455. Birds of Tohono Chul, a docent-led birdwatching tour, meets at 8 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Walk in the Park tours, an overview of the park's 48 acres and its flora and fauna, are offered at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and at 1 p.m. Sunday. Art in the Park tours, docent-guided looks at gallery exhibits, are at 11 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday. The park offers additional guided tours for your enjoyment. Grounds are open from 7 a.m. to sunset daily. Exhibit hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2. Call 742-6455 daily events schedule.
WILDFLOWER TOURS. Tohono Chul's grounds curator Russ Buhrow has scouted out some of the best areas to view the desert's breathtaking wildflowers. Wildflower tours continue through April 29. They last approximately 45 minutes to one hour, and are at 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reservations are not required. Call 742-6455 for meeting location and information.