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Branching Out | Geologic History of the Superior Area
Geologic History of the Superior Area
Grow your knowledge with BTA at Branching Out, our in-person lecture series! Each month brings a new topic about plants, wildlife, or nature.
This non-technical presentation explores how a geologic history dating back nearly two billion years is interpreted through scientific study and evidence-based analysis of the rocks, mineral deposits, fossils, landforms, and other features exposed in the landscapes around Superior and BTA; and focuses on the processes and events that brought about the landscapes we observe today.
Speaker: Steven Semken (he/him), PhD, President’s Professor of Geology and Education in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University
Pre-registration required. Register at https://7830.blackbaudhosting.com/7830/Branching-Out-Speaker-Series-10Apr2026.
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Look at the long antennae on these bees! These are longhorn bees, and they`re key pollinators for sunflowers. 🌻We spotted this group hard at work in front of our Smith Greenhouse.
So... what do antennae actually do for bees? The answer is A LOT. Here are just some examples of what antennae do:
🐝 They act as scent receptors, helping bees find nectar sources.
🐝 They detect sound waves and wind vibrations, acting as a bee`s hearing source.
🐝 They pick up pheromones, allowing them to locate other bees when mating.
Their long antennae are not only adorable, they are essential to helping bees interact with the world around them.
#longhornbees #pollinators #sunflowers #beelovers #desertlife #naturelovers
Register for one of our upcoming classes or workshops (or both!) and enjoy an immersive experience while surrounded by desert beauty.
Fall Classes:
🌿Basic Digital Photography Class | Oct 3
🌿Yoga in the Garden | Nov 12, Dec 10 & Dec 19
🌿Paint in the Arboretum: Adult Watercolor Class | Nov 14
🌿Forest Bathing | Nov 21 & Dec 12
Family Workshops:
🌿Animals of the Sonoran Desert | Oct 10
🌿Bats of Arizona | Oct 24
🌿Nature Journaling | Nov 7
🌿Fall Color Fun | Nov 14
🌿All About Trees | Dec 12
Go to https://btarboretum.org/events/ to learn more about each class and reserve your spot!
#fallactivities #familyactivities #thingstodoaz #outdooreducation #natureplay #outdooryoga #forestbathing #watercolorclass #photographyclass
Is there anything better than the natural artistry of nature? Just look how the sunlight makes these ladyfinger cacti glow 🌞
Our desert landscape is full of beauty and life if you know where to look. 💚
#ladyfingercactus #desertlife #Arizona #btarboretum #plantlovers #naturelovers
Celebrate Halloween in the Wild 🎃
Join Boyce Thompson Arboretum this Halloween for our Boo-tanical Bash! On Friday, October 30 from 5 – 7 pm, the Arboretum will transform into a festive Halloween scene with activities and fun for all ages.
Activities include:
👻Spooky crafts for all ages
🍬Trick-or-treating
🍔Food trucks
🦇 And more!
Thanks to Rebuild Superior, the first 20 families from Superior who arrive will receive a FREE one-year family membership. This means unlimited free admission for your family for an entire year! You must bring proof of residency to unlock this deal.
Costumes are encouraged! Please keep them family-friendly and free of any props that could double as weapons. To keep the event safe and comfortable for everyone, we reserve the right to refuse entry for inappropriate attire.
#halloweenevent #familyhalloweenfun #ThingsToDoAZ #VisitSuperior #familyactivities #naturelovers #aznature
This pollinator may look like a Monarch, but it`s actually a Queen Butterfly! So... how can you tell the difference?
🦋 Monarchs have white dots with black borders while Queens have white dots with AND without black borders
🦋 Queens are slightly darker in color
🦋 Monarchs have bolder lines on their wings
What is your favorite butterfly? Let us know in the comments!
#butterflies #ArizonaBugs #queenbutterfly #monarchbutterfly #pollinators #aznature #buglovers
Interested in making some Carob Horchata for yourself? Here`s what you`ll need:
(4 cups) unsweetened rice milk
(2–3 tbsp) roasted carob powder
(1 tsp) vanilla extract
(1 tsp) ground cinnamon
1 pinch of salt
(½ cup) sugar to taste
Cinnamon Stick
Ice
1. Set your oven to 225 degrees. Rinse your carob pods then roast them for 20-30 minutes.
2. Once the pods are nice and crispy, crack them open and remove the seeds. Grind the pulp and shake through a sieve to get a soft, fine powder.
3. In a large bowl mix rice milk, carob powder, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and sugar. Give it a mix, then pour over ice.
If you give it a try, let us know what you think in the comments!
#horchatarecipe #carobrecipe #desertrecipe #desertplants #desertlegumes
If you`ve ever spotted a coati before, you`ve likely noticed how expert they are at climbing! They are often seen high up on branches, searching for insects or fruit to snack on. But what makes a coati so good at climbing trees?
✅Their long tails help them balance
✅Their long, strong claws are perfect for gripping
✅Their ankles can rotate 180 degrees, letting them descend a tree head first
Coati are built to climb!
Plan your visit today for a chance to see this amazing little critters up close.
#aznature #desertlife #natureeducation #naturelovers #ThingsToDoAZ #coati #coatimundi
This is Koelreuteria paniculata, also known as Golden rain tree. Native to Asia, this tree is drought-tolerant and loves getting plenty of sunlight! When it blooms, it produces light yellow flowers that eventually fall like rain and create a beautiful golden carpet.
You can find this tree in our Mediterranean Garden! See the link in our bio to plan your visit today.
#goldenraintree #asianplants #plantlovers #desertplants #btarboretum #1Arb