Critter Night

Friday August 18, 2023 5:30pm-8:30pm
At Mission Garden
This event is FREE. All monetary gifts are appreciated.

Critter Night is an opportunity for families and individuals interested in wildlife to come and hear from experts. Over twenty wildlife agencies, organizations, and individual experts will have exhibit tables with information on diverse forms of wildlife, environmental issues, and regional wildlife populations. 

There will be exhibitors specializing in hawks, mountain lions, bobcats, reptiles, fish, invertebrates, bees, bats, and microscopic organisms. Some of them will have live animals. The garden’s acequia, or canal, will play a central role, with experts dipping out macroinvertebrates and microorganisms.

Some of the exhibitors will speak about their areas of interest in the garden’s Placita area.

This is also an opportunity for Mission Garden to educate about how our re-created garden has become an important place for various kinds of wildlife. We have recreated some of the agrarian setting that would have been more widespread historically. 

Youth Activities:

There will be many opportunities for youth and families as well. Kids can come to the garden dressed as their favorite local wildlife species and participate in the Sonoran Wild Critter Parade at 6pm starting at the garden's front gate! Dress up like any Sonoran critter: coyote, javelina, tarantula, bat, Gila monster, rattlesnake, desert tortoise, bird--your choice! The parade will be led by local children’s author Jodi Del Ponte!

Kids and families can also enjoy our Bookworm Path: Twenty locations with readings and activities for youth. 

Featured Food Vendors

Outside the Garden:
Banhdicted Food Truck - Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwiches & Beverages
OaxaRico food truck - Oaxacan Food

Inside the Garden:
Lahaina Shave Ice - Hawaiian Shaved Ice Refreshing Dessert
Tucson Chocolate Factory - Bean to Bar Chocolate

+ Snacks at our kitchen made by our volunteers

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Schedule

5:30pm           Gates open

5:30-8:30pm  Wildlife information exhibitors / live animals

6:00pm          Children’s costume parade

6:15pm           Speakers start in the Placita (half-hour presentations)

8:30pm          Garden closes

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Please reach out to Kendall Kroesen, Mission Garden Outreach Coordinator, kendall@missiongarden.org, 520-955-5200 x2 with any additional questions.

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Explore More

Want to learn about the Bats at Mission Garden?

In this video, bat consultant Debbie Buecher discusses the role of bats in the Sonoran Desert, along with their anatomy, feeding, and other activities which determine their survival.

Watch Now