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Critter Crawl Night Tour

Join us after dark on a night-time adventure with our Education Staff and Docents! Discover the amazing world of nocturnal life in the Sonoran Desert on this family friendly ‘crawl’. Guests will learn about Sonoran Desert ecology while taking a closer look at the local critters. Plus, you will get the knowledge you need to be prepared for your own night-time treks.
Preregistration is required and limited to 24 guests. For your safety, children ages 4 and under and pets are not permitted.
Register: https://7830.blackbaudhosting.com/7830/Critter-Crawl-Night-Tour-24Jul2026
Distance: Each experience is unique and follows the critters. However, you will walk no more than 1 mile.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Content Notice: This tour contains content regarding snakes, spiders, scorpions, bugs, owls, and other nighttime animals. The arboretum is primarily dark at night and artificial lighting is limited.
What to bring/wear: Close-toed shoes, plenty of water (at least 32oz/person), flashlights/headlamps for each member of your party, and snacks (if needed). Our gift shop will NOT be open to purchase water bottles or snacks.
Trail conditions: Mostly flat, hard packed dirt with small portions of sand and cobblestone. Our trails are not leveled and contain uneven terrain, humps, and dips. Trail width is at minimum 2 ft across.
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🌱Boyce Thompson Arboretum is OPEN and beautiful as ever!
While the storm last weekend did cause some damage, fortunately most of the Arboretum was unaffected! The Wallace Region will be closed for some time as repairs are made, but the rest of our gardens are open with so much still to explore.
Our events, walks, and tours will continue as planned! We hope to see you here. 💚
#btarboretum #visitarizona #floodupdate #naturelovers #azstorms
Last March, Arizona Game and Fish Department introduced more than 450 desert pupfish into Ayer Lake. As a critically endangered species, we are honored to be able to provide them a safe place to grow.
Thank you @azgfd for your efforts in conserving these magnificent fish.
#desertpupfish #pupfish #endangeredfish #conservation #ConservationMatters #btarboretum
On November 1, Boyce Thompson Arboretum received 2.62 inches of rainfall by 1 pm, causing flooding along Queen Creek and prompting an early closure for the safety of all staff and guests.
We reopened Monday, November 2, and our team will be working throughout the week to cean up affected areas. The Wallace Garden, Demonstration Garden, and portions of the Australian Garden will be closed while cleanup is underway.
If you`d like to support our efforts, consider donating to our Greatest Needs Fund! Every contribution helps us in caring for this special place. You can donate by clicking the link in our bio.
#floodingdamage #btarboretum #1Arb #nonprofitdonation #conservation #NatureConservation
🚨You asked, we listened - the Fall Plant Sale has been extended!
If last weekend`s rainy weather stopped you from shopping our Fall Plant Sale, we have good news! We are extending it for one more week. Shop perennials, shrubs, trees, cacti, succulents, and more until 5 pm on Sunday, November 8th.
Members get 20% all plants during the Fall Plant Sale! Not a member yet? Sign up today using the link in our bio.
#fallplantsale #PlantDiscount #plantshopping #plantlovers #btarboretum #arizonagardening #NativePlantSale
Barrel Cacti may be covered in spines, but that doesn`t stop it from being a vital food source for desert wildlife!
Bees, rodents, birds, javelina, beetles, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and jackrabbits all benefit from either its pollen, seeds, fruit, or even the plant itself.
No matter its size, shape, or number of spines, every desert plant has an import role to play in our ecosystem. 🌵
#barrelcactus #ferocactus #cactuslovers #cactuscollection #btarboretum #fishhookbarrel #desertplants
🌻Sometimes it`s easier to let gravity do the work!
By hanging upside down from stems, Lesser Goldfinches put themselves in the perfect position to catch falling seeds as they peck. This unique feeding behavior gives them a strong advantage, allowing them to reach seeds other birds can`t while saving time and energy.
#lessergoldfinch #goldfinch #birdadaptations #BirdFacts #birdlovers #natureeducation #sunflowers
🕷️🕸️The Arboretum is decorated for Halloween! And we have the funnel web spiders to thank for it.
If you see one of these funnels in our garden, take a peak inside! You might just see a little friend hidden within, waiting for it`s next meal.
#funnelwebspider #funnelweb #spiderweb #arizonaspider #happyhalloween #SpiderFacts #SpiderLovers