ARIZONA STATE PARKS: For Immediate Release
Managing and conserving Arizona's natural, cultural and recreational resources, both in our Parks and through our partners for the benefit of the people. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Stone at (520) 689-2811, Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518, or Monica Enriquez at (602) 542-6997. Contact by Email: pio(at)azstateparks.gov

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park Salutes Vultures at "Bye-Bye Buzzards" September 27

(Phoenix, Arizona - September 17, 2008) - One of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park signature events is the seasonal salute to the migrant flock of Turkey Vultures before the huge black birds fly south for the winter. The scavengers play an integral role in our Sonoran Desert ecosystem, and on Saturday, September 27, Arboretum visitors can watch them on the magma cliffs before they depart for Mexico.

Prescott College Professor Carl Tomoff, Arboretum staff and visitors will observe the resident flock from 7:00 am until 8:30 am. Visitors are then invited to join Dr. Tomoff on a guided bird walk from 8:30am until 10:00am to learn about bird, butterfly, lizard and dragonfly species at the Arboretum. Dr. Tomoff will also share his knowledge about the buzzards.

Desert Rivers Audubon will have a booth on-site, and Arizona Game and Fish wildlife Rehab volunteers will exhibit live birds, reptiles and small mammals from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Also on Saturday, September 27 is a Butterfly Walk from 9:30 am until 11:00 am. Learn about the ongoing Monarch Butterfly Migration Research Project and about the lifecycles of these colorful insects on a 90-minute walk. Adriane Grimaldi and Marceline Vandewater will tour visitors through the Demonstration Garden, Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden and other collections.

On Sunday, September 28 is an Edible and Medicinal Desert Plants Guided Walk from 9:30 am until 10:30 am. Apache Junction Author Jean Groen will guide visitors along the Curandero Trail explaining the ways native desert plants have fed, clothed and healed indigenous peoples for many hundreds of years. Following the tour, she will share her homemade desert edibles such as mesquite meal crackers and napalito soup. Sometimes she even makes a batch of nonalcoholic prickly pear margaritas for all to sample. Please note: The Curandero Trail is moderately steep and is not accessible by wheelchair.

Then on Saturday, October 4, the "Season Finale" Dragonfly Walk is from 9:30 am until 11:00 am. Queen Creek and Ayer Lake are pristine places to see Red Flame Skimmers, Blue-eyed Darners and other species of these insect predators along the Main Trail at the Arboretum. This is the season finale of this popular tour. Bring your binoculars!

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is located three miles west of historic Superior on U.S. Highway 60. It's a leisurely drive from the Tucson and Phoenix metro areas. Phone 520-689-2723 or visit http://ag.arizona.edu/bta for more information.

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