Friends of Oracle State Park

Friends of Oracle State Park, Inc.
P.O. Box 8405
Tucson, AZ 85738
(520) 825-0488

News from the Park

Oracle State Park, Center for Environmental Education
Upcoming Events:

Saturday, August 9 @ 7am: MUSHROOM EXPLORATION:  Trail hike with volunteer Stan Bembenek. Call for a reservation, 896-2425.

Friday & Saturday, August 22 & 23: FOURTH ANNUAL BUG FEST:  Southeastern Arizona is home to some of the most spectacular insects in North America. Special guests will share their knowledge of the insect world with kids of all ages. Learn more about scorpions, bees, butterflies; identify local moths, beetles and more. Also on the menu: edible bugs, and eco-friendly bug bio-control. Ask about camping overnight to participate in an outdoor "research" experience. Bug Fest begins at 6pm Friday with activities continuing through noon on Saturday. Presentations by entomologist, Michael Wilson; local specialists Casey Egan and Fred Terry; Central AZ Butterfly Association Founder, Marceline Vandewater; and ARBICO ecoproducts of Catalina. Call the park for reservations, 896-2425.

More Fall dates to be announced for guided bird walks, bike rides and more…

FULL!! Saturday, September 13: WORKSHOP: PAPERMAKING WITH DESERT PLANTS (Sunday, September 14 repeat class also full). Instructor Val Bembenek has been making paper from desert and garden plants for many years. Her goal is to use “wild” papers to strengthen people’s appreciation of nature. $20 includes the park entrance fee. Space is limited! Reservation required: 896-2425.

Saturday, September 27:  PRESENTATION: Gemstones of Arizona.  Mineralogist, Wolfgang Mueller, returns to give a program on the diversity of mining in Arizona, that has provided a variety of minerals used for decorative jewelry making. Learn more about Arizona as one of the leading producers of gemstones. Meet at the Kannally Ranch House at 3pm. No reservation needed; free with the park entrance fee.

Wednesday, October 1, 15, 29, 6:30-8:00pm. CAC ARCHAEOLOGY lectures held at Oracle State Park: PREHISTORICAL ORACLE: POTTERY, PETROGLYPHS, PIT HOUSES, taught by Sarah Luchetta. To register, call Priscilla at Central Arizona College: (520) 357-2817. The series is $75 and includes three Wednesday evening lectures, and three Saturday field trips (Oct. 4, 18 & Nov. 1, from 9am-2pm). Join archaeologist Sarah Luchetta to visit prehistoric sites near Catalina and along the San Pedro River. Her discussions will include religion and rituals in the Southwest; also why archaeologists dig things up and what happens to those artifacts. A detailed class description is available upon request.

Saturday, October 4: WORKSHOP: Edible & Medicinal Plants with Herbalist, Charlie Kane, 8am-noon.  Join Charlie Kane on a trail walk to identify edible and medicinal plants that grow in Oracle. Charlie Kane is considered a leading authority on Southwestern edible and medicinal plants. He uses native plants therapeutically as chief herbalist and director of the Tucson Clinic of Botanical Medicine. Also a teacher and author, Charlie will discuss edible and medicinal usages of plants identified on the trail walk, and include useful details on collection, preparations and cautions. 8am to noon along the trail. $20 fee; reservation required. Call the park for more information, (520) 896-2425.

Saturday, October 25: NINTH ANNUAL FIESTA DE LAS CALABAZAS, 10am-5pm.  This community festival features live music, art, food, hands-on activities for kids, pumpkins, gourds, outdoor fun and education for all ages. If interested in volunteering, call the park at (520) 896-2425. 

Wednesday, November 12, 6-7:30pm.  CAC GEOLOGY lecture held at Oracle State Park: ARIZONA’S AMAZING MOGOLLON RIM, with Bob Scarborough. To register, call Priscilla at Central Arizona College: (520) 357-2817. $90 includes one Wednesday evening lecture, and a three-day weekend field trip (November 14-16).  Ponder BIG GEO evidence on a guided exploration of Gila River Gorge, Salt River Canyon, Mogollon Rim overlook; Casa Malpais archaeological ruins near Springerville; through Payson-Strawberry, Verde River Valley, and home through Apache Junction-Florence. Carpooling, meals and lodging not included in reservation fee. A detailed trip description is available upon request.

ONGOING Weekends: HISTORIC KANNALLY RANCH HOUSE GUIDED TOURS, each Saturday, Sunday and holidays, beginning at 10am and again at 2pm; 45-minute duration. The four level Mediterranean revival style adobe ranch house was built from 1929-33 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Guided tours are also scheduled by reservation, call 896-2425.