A Different kind of Zoo- The Arizona- Sonora Desert Museum
Tuesday, 08 December 2009 01:51
The extreme heat, the rocky, sand-ridden landscape, the danger of hidden insects and reptiles.
The desert isn’t exactly prime viewing ground for everyday people to observe its natural surroundings.
However, it is hard to duplicate.
The Arizona- Sonora Desert Museum, located right in the midst of the Sonora Desert in the Southwestern United States, has managed to carve out a beautiful bit of the desert and make a place where it is safe, fun and informational to learn about the desert and the plants and animals it contains.
Raptor Free Flight
The exhibit allows the birds to fly freely and allows viewers to see how different birds of the desert act in nature. The website explains which birds you may see at each viewing time slot. This event occurs from October 25 through April 11 at 10:30 am and 1:45 pm.
Watch this video of the Raptor Free Flight on Sunday December 6, 2010.
Another daily presentation is the Running Wild- Live Animal Presentation at 11:00 AM.
Also, the Live and (sort of) on the Loose! A Look at Venomous Reptiles of the Southwest at 12:15.View this calendar to see when each exhibit is available.
The Volunteers
The museum is run by many volunteers who are referred to as docents. Often retirees of high profile careers, their work is fueled by their love of the Sonoran Desert and of educating people about it.
Watch this video of three volunteers on their work at the Arizona- Sonora Desert Museum.
Click for information on how to become a docent. 
/>The Exhibits
While the landscape itself is beautiful, the museum hosts over 300 different animal species and 1,200 kinds of plants in naturalistic habitats, each as unique and interesting as the next.
Watch this video to see an overview of some of the museums most popular and colorful exhibits:
Written by Samantha Luvisi
News
- Live Blogging at the Women in Migrant Work Panel
- Live Blog: Margaret Regan Reads from her New Book Tonight at Antigone Books
- LIVE BLOG -Centennial Hall Hosts Laptop Giveaway Tonight
- Border Safety Workshop Live Blogging
- Live Blogging: Dustin Cox Campaign Kickoff
- UA Alum Runs for State House
- Stunning Stones Skip Over the Border
- Men Over The Border
Culture
People
Education
- ALE lends a day to Latino High School Students
- Latin by Tradition, Not Definition
- Pottery Project
- Literacy Program Still Running Strong
- Border researchers, 'Between the Lines' invite input
- A Different kind of Zoo- The Arizona- Sonora Desert Museum
- English class in Nogales, Sonora
- Local Butterfly Sanctuary Hosts Many Species
Health
- Border Health Foundation Hopes to Start Helping Locally
- A New Look for Life: A Cleft Palate Surgery Mission to Hermosillo
- The Prickly Pear: New Discoveries about this Old Desert Denizen
- Community Clinic Provides Fitness and Nutrition Classes
- Partnership Increases Breast Cancer Awareness Among Hispanics
- FRONTERA: UA Med School Internship Works to Address Border Health Disparities
- Community clinic serves uninsured when help is most needed
- St. Andrew's Children's Clinic
Twitter Updates
Who's Online
We have 8 guests onlineBorder Beat Blogs
A Look at Border StudiesAmanda Portillo
A look into the research of the borderlands by U.S. universities, especially universities in border states.
A Peso for Your Thoughts
Matilde Cantero
What those who are new to the border area observe, their questions, and their thoughts.
Bebidas de Bridget
Bridget Miller
If you like pina coladas, you'll love these drink recipes from below the border.
Border Biz
Samantha Easter
Border Biz is a look at Business and Finance on and around the border.
Border Health Care
William Anderson
Attaching the electrodes another way to monitor the border's beat.
Bordering the Line
Nicky Hamila
A blog about relationships that are affected by the border.
Comida for Thought
Lauren Adams
A about taking food and drink recipes from south of the border and trying to make them on my own.
Coming to America: The Wide World of Sports
Matt Alvarez
Profiling Athletes In and Around the Tucson Area That Hail from Other Countries
Fashionista Frenzy
Laurann Robinson
A blog about border- inspired fashion trends and boutiques.
Greening up on the Line
Josh Schaa
A blog about green living on the border.
Inside la Cocina
Whitney Misenhimer
Exploring the sights and smells of an authentic Sonoran kitchen.
It's Always 'Sunny' in Tucson
Jeremy Hawkes
Covering the news and going on's in the Sunnyside Unified School District.
Lights, Camera, Border
Marcy Jones
Discussing Films about the Border
One tequila, dos tequila, three tequila, FLOOR!
Jocelyn Bresnick
A Blog About Tequilas and their Amigos
People Helping People
Allana Erickson
A look into non-profit organizations in Tucson, Arizona.
Reaching Hands Across Boundaries
Nikki Helms
Learn all about local volunteer and service efforts that are helping the underprivileged across the border.
Studying Below the Border
Jackie Smith
A blog chronicling the experiences of students who studied abroad in Mexico, and students from Mexico studying here at the UA.
Weekend Warriors on the Border
Christina Stymfal
This is your guide on how to have a fun-filled weekend on the border.