Tucson Weekly: Outdoors (July 20

OUTDOORS

ARCHAEOLOGY TOURS. The Center for Desert Archaeology offers group or individual tours of the significant sites in the Tucson Basin. Choose from ancient rock art, Hohokam ballcourt villages and more. Call 885-6283 for information; reservations are requested 24 hours in advance.
DIG IT. Old Pueblo Archaeology Center. 1000 E. Fort Lowell Road. Join archaeologist Allen Denoyer for an Arrowhead-Making and Flintknapping workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 22. Admission is $25 and pre-registration is required. The Center offers opportunities to dig with archaeologists at the Sabino Canyon Ruin starting at 7 a.m. Saturday, July 22. Experience the thrill of discovering buried pottery and other items left behind by prehistoric Arizonans, as the professionals show you how archaeologists excavate, interpret, and care for ancient finds. Admission is $35 or $50 for a two-day program. Reservations are required by 5 p.m. July 21. Call 798-1201 for information.
HUMMINGBIRD BANDING. See what the buzz is about at the Southern Arizona Bird Observatory. From 4 to 6 p.m. every Saturday through September 30, biologists capture, band, measure and release hummingbirds as part of long-term studies of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. The Observatory also offers opportunities to participate in naturalist-led bird walks beginning an hour after sunrise on Tuesdays and Thursdays through September 21. Bird walks are $12, $8 for SABO members. Hummingbird banding is free at the San Pedro House, Highway 90, seven miles east of Sierra Vista. Call 1-(520) 432-1388 for further information.
SABINO CANYON VOLUNTEERS. The Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists are looking for people who enjoy the outdoors and working with children for their desert ecology program. Training begins in September. Call 760-8807 for information.
SIERRA CLUB HIKES. Explore the beauty of the Sonoran desert with the local chapter of the Sierra Club during free hikes and outings on most weekends. Both beginning and experienced hikers are welcome. Non-members are welcome to participate. For a listing of upcoming events, visit www.sierraclub.org/chapters/az/outings.asp.
SONORAN DESERT MOUNTAIN BICYCLISTS. Beginners and intermediate riders can take on an 8- to16-mile loop beginning at Kinney Road. Meet at 7 a.m. Saturday, July 22, at Bianchi's Pizza, 1110 N. Silverbell Road. Call Ray at 745-2832 for details. Intermediate cyclists get rolling with an optional ride to the top of Mt. Hopkins. Meet at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, July 23, at the Hopkins Visitor Center. Call Lee at 398-2268 or 398-2435 for directions and information. Intermediate riders can enjoy an east Rincon exploration. Meet at 7 a.m. Sunday, July 16, at Fry's, 7050 E. Golf Links Road. Call Ray at 745-2832. Instructional rides offer groups of one to three beginning and aspiring riders the opportunity to learn cycling skills without the pressure of a group ride. Call Chuck Cook at 219-4398 or Mark Flint at 299-9151 for a free appointment. For updated ride information, visit www.sdmb.org.
TOHONO CHUL PARK. 7366 N. Paseo del Norte. 742-6455. Regular 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 2 p.m. Sunday. The park offers additional guided tours for your enjoyment. Birds of Tohono Chul provides opportunities to observe the many species frequenting the park, and meets at 8 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. 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. Greenhouse hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is $2. Call 742-6455 for a daily events schedule.
TUCSON AUDUBON SOCIETY. Join experienced Audubon birders for several field trips each week visiting areas around Tucson and southeastern Arizona. Admission is free. Call 629-0510 for schedule and information.
WILDERNESS VOLUNTEERS. Experience the beauty of wild lands while reinvesting in them this summer and fall. The Wilderness Volunteers is a non-profit organization that works with public land agencies to organize volunteer services to benefit U.S. wild lands. Trips are one week long and cost less than $200. For information, call 1-888-737-2888 or visit www.wildernessvolunteers.org.