Visit and Explore

The Santa Cruz River is a unique resource in our community. Learn how to connect with this riparian habitat.

8 – 9:30 a.m., July 23, 2026

El Rio Preserve Nature Stroll (Late July)

7:30 – 9:30 p.m., July 23, 2026

Creatures of the Night at El Rio Preserve

7:30 – 9 a.m., July 25, 2026

Lizards and Other Critters of El Rio Preserve (July)

Group of teachers in the turtle research group of BIORETS

Meet BIORETS

Meet the teachers!

Group of people standing on edge of Santa Cruz River

Santa Cruz River Dispatches

Connect with river stories from this month.

River Dispatches

Student project infographic of a Gila topminnow

Santa Cruz River Lessons

Discover classroom activities inspired by the Santa Cruz River.

Lessons and Activities

Two people holding nets walking in the Santa Cruz River in fall

Group of people in Santa Cruz River

3 teachers walking in the Santa Cruz River

People standing in a river looking at rocks

Sonoran mud turtle in the Santa Cruz River

View of people in Santa Cruz River Channel

Researchers gathering plant data in transect square

People looking in container filled with water and aquatic life

Image of 2 Sonoran Desert toads

Santa Cruz River in Marana AZ