Tucson Weekly: Outdoors (February 15

OUTDOORS

ARCHAEOLOGY DIG. Old Pueblo Archaeology Center offers hands-on training in archaeological excavation at the Sabino Canyon Ruin February 17 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Excavate pottery, stone, bone and seashell artifacts and learn about archaeological interpretation. Cost of the session is $35 per person or $50 for a two-day program. Minimum age to participate is 12. Directions to the ruin are provided upon pre-registration. Call 798-1201 for information and to register.
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS HIKE. Join the Sky Island Alliance February 23-25 for a hike and bike through the Chiricahua Mountains to conduct road surveys. There is a training session February 22 for the free, overnight outing. For more information call 624-7080.
NIGHT WALKS. Saguaro National Park East. 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail. Take a walk on the wild side with a naturalist-guided excursion into the Sonoran Desert twice a month on Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m. Naturalists discuss and demonstrate nighttime adaptations and scan the skies with an audible bat detector. The free program is open to all, and reservations are required. Call 733-5153 to reserve a space.
ORIENTEERING CLUB. Catalina State Park. Orienteering is a fun, challenging outdoor activity in which participants navigate their way on foot using a map and compass. Each participant is given a specially prepared topographic map marked with a series of checkpoints to be visited. This month's event takes place February 18. Cost is $3 per individual for members and $8 for non-members, and $5 per team of members and $10 for non-members. Bring a compass and whistle or rent them at the event for $1 each. Call 628-8985 for more information.
TOHONO CHUL PARK. 7366 N. Paseo del Norte. 742-6455. Walk in the Park tours, overviews of the park's 48 acres and its flora and fauna, are offered at 9 a.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and at 1 p.m. Sundays. Art in the Park tours, docent-guided looks at gallery exhibits, are at 11 a.m. Tuesday and Thursdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. 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. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Grounds are open from 7 a.m. to sunset daily. Exhibit hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Greenhouse hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is $2. Call 742-6455 for a daily event schedule.
TUCSON AUDUBON SOCIETY. Join experienced birders for several field trips each week visiting areas around Tucson and southeastern Arizona. Admission is free. Call 629-0510 for schedule and information.