Tucson Audubon Society

Saturday, March 13 and Sunday, March 14
The Tucson Festival of Books on the University of Arizona Campus
The Tucson Festival of Books is a celebration of literacy, where authors gather to speak about their work and sign books. This free event features writing workshops, panel presentations, children’s activities, storytelling, artists, musicians, and a food court. The 2010 Festival promises to be even bigger and better than last year’s, with more than 400 authors and a wide range of both local and national book vendors, including our Tucson Audubon Nature Shop. For a full schedule visit tucsonfestivalofbooks.org.

Saturday, March 13
11:30–12:30 am “Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What To Do About It”, featuring author Robert Glennon, Professor of Law and Public Policy at the University of Arizona.

1-2 pm "Birds and Birding I, Field Guides Past, Present and Future", with Elizabeth Rosenthal, Birdwatcher: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson, and Jon Dunn, chief consultant for the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 5th Edition. Chemistry - Room 134

3-4 pm Book signing with Jon Dunn at the Tucson Audubon Booth. Dunn was chief consultant to the National Geographic Society’s Field Guide to the Birds of North America, as well as host and editor of Hummingbirds of North America, and co-writer and host of the two-video set Large and Small Gulls of North America.

4–5 pm Book signing with Elizabeth Rosenthal at the Tucson Audubon Booth. Rosenthal’s Birdwatcher: the Life of Roger Tory Peterson has been described by birding guru Kenn Kaufman as a “wonderful biography, bold and surprising and lively, crackling with the adventures of the man who did more than anyone else to create the modern popularity of birdwatching.”

Sunday, March 14
1–2 pm Book signing with Lynn Hassler at the Tucson Audubon Booth. Hassler, a volunteer coordinator at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, has been birding for over 25 years. Her most recent book is The Raven: Soaring through History, Legend & Lore, and she is the co-author of Hot Pots: Container Gardening in the Arid Southwest. Hassler’s other books include Roadrunners, Gambel’s Quail, Birds of the American Southwest, and Hummingbirds of the American West.

2:30–3:30 pm “Birds and Birding II, Writing about Birds,” with Stacey O’Brien, Wesley the Owl, The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl; Lynn Hassler, The Raven: Soaring Through History, Legend, & Lore; and Sheri Williamson, A Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America.

March 18 -- Thursday, 5 PM
Birds and Beer
Come share birding stories and images and beer! At the Historic Y courtyard. BYOB

March 20 -- Saturday, 10 AM
The Exciting Nightlife of Bats! with Karen Krebbs
Living With Nature Lecture Series in Green Valley
Did you know Arizona is home to 28 species of bats? Karen Krebbs, Conservation Biologist at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's Center for Sonoran Desert Studies and local bat expert, will talk about the natural history of these amazing animals and some of her research projects. Bats are fascinating and interesting creatures. Join us for an entertaining and educational program and learn more about these beneficial mammals of the evening! Karen will also present a live bat after the lecture.

April 10 -- Saturday 7:45 - noon
TogetherGreen Volunteer Day to remove giant reed
For a year and a half we have been working with a coalition of groups to remove invasive giant reed (Arundo donax) along Sabino Creek. In the fall, as part of this effort, we removed a lot of giant reed from a parcel along Sabino Creek owned by Hidden Valley Homeowners Association. Now an adjacent land owner has graciously agreed to open up his land along the creek to the removal effort. Bring work clothes and shoes, water and gloves if you have them. We can supply tools and some extra gloves. Work involves lopping reeds and hauling them out, digging out roots and bagging them. TogetherGreen (www.togethergreen.org) is a program of National Audubon, funded by Toyota. Contact Kendall at 971-2385 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to sign up and get directions.

April 24 -- Saturday 7:45 - noon
TogetherGreen Volunteer Day to remove fountain grass
In December we removed invasive fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) from a bit less than half the Tucson Audubon property in Esperero Canyon. There is much more to be done. Join us for another unique volunteer opportunity to visit this remote and scenic canyon in the Front Range of the Santa Catalina Mountains, east of Ventana Canyon. Access is limited due to private property in the area, so Tucson Audubon rarely takes trips to the property. The hike into the canyon is not long, but is somewhat rocky and rough, as will be the removal of fountain grass in the rocky canyon. However, you will be amply rewarded with dramatic scenery. Bring work clothes and shoes, water and gloves if you have them. We can supply tools and some extra gloves. TogetherGreen (www.togethergreen.org) is a program of National Audubon, funded by Toyota. Contact Kendall at 971-2385 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to sign up and get directions.

May 15 -- Saturday, 8am-12noon
Ironwood Festival at the Mason Center
After a year's hiatus, the Ironwood Festival returns this spring with renewed vigor! From 8am to noon there will be a variety of local organizations representing the interests of the plants, animals and people of ironwood forests including, Tucson Audubon Society, Friends of Ironwood Forest, Tucson Herpetological Society and Arizona Native Plant Society. Activities will include a series of lectures, sustainable technology demos, educational fun for kids, live critters, trail walks and a used nature book sale.

Following all the educational fun, enjoy lunch while A Ray of Hope Band plays. We will have hot dogs for sale or bring a picnic lunch.

Admission to this event is FREE! Contact Lia Sansom at 971-6238 for more information.

June 12 -- Saturday, 6-10pm
Live Music at the Mason Center
Mark your calendars for evening of Saturday, June 12 when Wayback Machine, A Ray of Hope Band and others will hold a live concert at the Mason Center. Bring a chair and your dancing shoes! Check back here for more information as the details develop.