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
(Phoenix, Arizona - September 8, 2008) - Oracle State Park offers a wide variety of nature events in September and October 2008 including bird walks and nature talks.
On Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 21, naturalist Jerry Orr will take participants on a Guided Bird Walk at 7:30am. Meet at the ranch house. Free with park entrance fee. No reservation needed. The walk will last 2-2.5 hours.
On Saturday, September 27: Mineralogist Wolfgang Mueller will present "Gemstones of Arizona." Mueller returns to give a program on the diversity of mining in Arizona. Learn more about Arizona as one of the leading producers of gemstones. Meet at the Kannally Ranch House at 3pm. Reservations are not needed; free with the park entrance fee.
On October 1, 15 and 29 from 6:30-8pm. CAC Archaeology will present "Prehistorical Oracle: Pottery, Petroglyphs, Pit Houses" taught by Sarah Luchetta. To register, call Priscilla at Central Arizona College at (520) 357-2817. The series is $75 and includes three Wednesday evening lectures, and three Saturday field trips (Oct. 4, 18 & Nov. 1, from 9am-2pm). Join archaeologist Sarah Luchetta to visit prehistoric sites near Catalina and along the San Pedro River. Her discussions will include religion and rituals in the Southwest; also why archaeologists dig things up and what happens to those artifacts. A detailed class description is available upon request.
On Saturday, October 4 herbalist Charlie Kane will present "Edible & Medicinal Plants" from 8am-noon. Join Kane on a trail walk to identify edible and medicinal plants that grow in Oracle. Kane is considered a leading authority on Southwestern edible and medicinal plants. He uses native plants therapeutically as chief herbalist and director of the Tucson Clinic of Botanical Medicine. Also a teacher and author, he will discuss edible and medicinal usages of plants identified on the trail walk, and include useful details on collection, preparations and cautions. There is a $20 fee for this workshop and a reservation is required. Call the park for more information at (520) 896-2425.
On Saturday, October 25, join us for the 9th Annual Fiesta de las Calabazas from 10am -4pm, with live music until 5pm. This community festival is set at the historic Kannally Ranch and features live music, fine art, food, hands-on activities and programs for kids, pumpkins, gourds, and more. If interested in volunteering, call the park at (520) 896-2425. For music stage line-up, visit www.calabazas.org
Every Saturday and Sunday at 10am and 2pm, there are guided tours of the Historic Kannally Ranch. The tours are 45-minutes in duration. The four level Mediterranean revival style adobe ranch house was built from 1929-33 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Guided tours may also be scheduled by reservation by calling (520) 896-2425.
For more information or for reservations call Oracle State Park at (520) 896-2425. Oracle State Park is a 4,000-acre wildlife refuge located in the northern foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in the town of Oracle north of Tucson.
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 Oracle State Park
link to this page:
http://azstateparks.com/press/2008/PR_09-08-08.html
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