Join us for our 6th annual celebration of dragonflies on the Santa Cruz River with a Dragonfly Festival. There are many ways to learn and explore, from a community science bioblitz, to making a dragonfly craft, to joining a tour with local experts. Find a way to participate that will be fun for you!
ACTIVITIES:
Dragonfly BioBlitz – All September: Join our community science bioblitz, partnering with Dr. Michael Bogan, to learn how to spot dragonflies and contribute sightings using iNaturalist. Details: Dragonfly BioBlitz
Bugs & Bites – September 18, 6-9 PM: Explore the captivating world of dragonflies, tarantulas, and scorpions with Michael Bogan, Rocio Guzman, and Jorge Jimenez, in collaboration with the Sonoran Institute. Register: Bugs & Bites
Dragonflies: Their lives before adulthood – September 19, 7-8 PM Attend a virtual presentation to learn about dragonfly larvae with Jeff Babson from Pima County Conservation Lands and Resources. Register: Dragonflies: Their lives before adulthood
Make Your Own Dragonfly – September 23: Craft a dragonfly with a family-friendly kit developed by Pima County Conservation Lands and Resources; share your creation on social media with #scrdragonflyday. Kits will be available for pick-up while supplies last at Pima County libraries and at Mission Garden.
Order Up! Damsels and Dragons – September 24, 7-8 PM: Attend a virtual presentation to learn about dragonfly diversity, life cycle, and identification with Jeff Babson from Pima County Conservation Lands and Resources. Register: Order Up!: Damsels and Dragons
Guided Dragonfly Tour – September 28, 9 AM – 12 PM: Join Sonoran Institute and local experts to search for dragonflies at one of three locations. Discover dragonflies with experts at three locations, including walking river tours in the Santa Cruz River channel. Family friendly and open to all, no prior knowledge required. REGISTER FOR A TOUR
OTHER RESOURCES:
Dragonflies of the Santa Cruz River: Pima County Brochure
Living River – Restoring Riparian Habitat along the Santa Cruz River: Pima County Brochure
Arizona Dragonflies http://azdragonfly.org/
Santa Cruz River Connections https://santacruz.arizona.edu/
________________________________________
Santa Cruz River Dragonfly Festival is a series of FREE events brought to you by Pima County Regional Flood Control District, Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department, Pima County Conservation Lands and Resources, Sonoran Institute, Town of Marana Parks and Recreation, UArizona’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment, Tucson Water, and Mission Garden. Special thanks to Pima County Libraries for distribution of the dragonfly kits.