ARIZONA STATE PARKS: For Immediate Release
Managing and conserving Arizona’s natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people, both in our Parks and through our Partners. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518, or Monica Enriquez at (602) 542-6997. Contact by Email: pio(at)azstateparks.gov

Noted Author Teaches Opuntia Punch Class At Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park

(Phoenix, Arizona - July 17, 2008) - Have you ever nibbled candy from cactus fruit or sipped a prickly pear fruit margarita? If so, you know that taste is delightful.

Apache Junction author Jean Groen ("Foods of the Superstitions") will teach participants how to harvest opuntia cactus fruits and extract the juice from the prickly pear without turning your hands into a "porcupine of cactus spines." She will also share her recipes and provide samples of cactus cuisine.

The class will be held August 17 at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park from 10:30am until 11:30am, and will be repeated August 23 and September 1. The class is free with admission.

Butterfly Walk
Saturday, July 26 from 9:30am until 11:00am
Learn about the life cycles of butterflies and how to identify common species of the colorful insects during this walk through the Hummingbird-Butterfly Gardens. Free with admission.

Edible and Medicinal Desert Plants Guided Walk
Sunday, July 27 from 9:30 am until 11:00am
Choctaw Tribal Nation member and ethno botanist Davis Morris teaches participants about ways native plants have fed, clothed and healed indigenous peoples for thousands of years. This tour explores the Curandero Trail, which has moderately steep sections and is not accessible by wheelchair. Free with admission.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is located on U.S. Highway 60 three miles west of historic Superior. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $3.00 ages 5-12. Summer hours are from 6am until 3pm every day. Phone 520-689-2723 or click www.btarboretum.org for more information.

For information about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit the website at www.azstateparks.com.

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Learn more about Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park

link to this page:
http://azstateparks.com/press/2008/PR_07-17-08.html

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