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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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If you hear a "tap, tap, tap" above your head while you`re hiking, it might be a Gila Woodpecker! These clever birds search for insects by pecking on tree trunks, shrubs, and even cacti.
The holes they excavate in cacti sometimes become homes for smaller birds later on, making their simple foraging behaviors greatly beneficial to our ecosystem.
#gilawoodpecker #BirdingCommunity #birding #southwestbirding #azbirding #birdinghotspot
This summer, 41 teachers from across Arizona participated in a specialized professional development program designed in partnership with @azgfd to bring hands-on science education into their classrooms.
Made possible through support from @resolutioncopper, the program equipped educators with classroom-ready lessons that connected desert ecology, STEM learning, and Arizona State Science Standards. Teachers left with:
🌱 Lesson plans
🌱 Presentations
🌱 Hands-on activities
🌱 Educational supplies including a classroom set of plants
🌱 Professional development experience they can immediately apply in their classrooms.
The impact extends far beyond a single workshop. Every teacher who participates has the potential to reach hundreds of students, creating a ripple effect that strengthens science education, environmental literacy, and stewardship in the Copper Corridor and across Arizona.
Have you ever seen a chrysalis on a cactus before? Imagine the bravery of this cloudless sulphur caterpillar, navigating spiky traps just to find a safe spot to pupate. The resilience of desert critters is nothing short of breathtaking.
#cloudlesssulphur #butterflychrysalis #aznature #butterflylovers #insectlovers #desertinsects
Does adventuring through the Arboretum at dusk in search of little critters sound exciting to you? Then what are you waiting for? Register for one of our Critter Crawls today. We only have three tours left!
📆Friday, July 24
📆Friday, August 7
📆Friday, August 21
Join us and learn what it means to "sniff spiders" 🕷️👃
#spidersniffing #herpingarizona #arizonabats #crittercrawl #nighttour #NocturnalWildlife
It`s a pear-fect time to visit the Arboretum!
The prickly pear cacti are fruiting all across the garden. This vibrant fruit ripens when the weather is at its hottest and driest, making it a vital food source for all kinds of desert wildlife.
Have you tried prickly pear fruit before? Let us know in the comments what you thought of it! 👇
#pricklypear #pricklypearfruit #plantlovers #naturelovers #aznature
How well do you know your flowers? Let us know how many you got right in the comments! What flower is your favorite?
#flowerquiz #NatureQuiz #desertflowers #desertblooms #flowerlovers #gardening
The Povonia hastatas are in bloom! These flowers can be found in the Demonstration Garden, working hard to attract nearby pollinators.
Plan your visit today for a chance to see them in person!
#povonia #aznature #plantlovers #natureeducation #naturelovers
Even at the height of summer, the desert blooms. It`s a powerful reminder that life doesn`t just survive in harsh environments, it thrives. And so can we. 🌵🌸
#aznature #pricklypear #desertlife #plantlovers #naturelovers #desertblooms #cactusbloom