Events

Volunteer at Mission Garden

See events taking place at Presidio de Tucson, our partner organization

Mission Garden is a beautiful, four-acre, outdoor setting where physical distancing is easy. Please wear a mask. Visit Pima County Health Department COVID page for other details on staying safe. Statement on Mission Garden’s COVID-19 measures.

Unless otherwise noted, events are free with suggested $5 donation at the garden gate.

HOURS

October – March, 8am – 2pm
(April – September, Wednesday – Saturdays, 8am – 12pm)

MISSION GARDEN SHOP

The shop always has fresh seasonal produce, dried herbs, and fresh eggs from our chickens. Our shop carries shirts, hats, masks, books on history and gardening, and a variety of other products. We now also feature fertilizer, compost and mulch. A small range of trees, native shrubs and garden vegetable plants are available–this will be increased in the future. Watch for special plant sales.

REGULARLY-SCHEDULED CLASSES AND EVENTS

Tours of Mission Garden
Every Friday and Saturday at 9am

This 45-minute tour covers the whole garden, with information on Tucson’s history and about gardening in the Sonoran Desert. Group size limited to 10. First come, first served. Tours for small groups and families can be arranged at other times Wednesday through Saturday by contacting us at 520-955-5200 or missiongarden.tucson@gmail.com.

Garden Explorers and Bookworm Path
Every day the garden is open

There are many ways to experience Mission Garden. The newest is to explore the “Bookworm Path.” Throughout the garden you will discover 20 boxes that contain books and an activity related to an aspect of the garden. The Path is designed for youth of all ages and abilities and is built around K-12 educational standards. Come back again and again to explore new “stops” along the Bookworm Path and learn more about Tucson’s Birthplace and its many histories. Have a question? Feel free to ask a Garden greeter or staff member. While you are in the garden take your time and look for pollinators, birds and their songs, find seed pods like devil’s claw, or take a photo and upload it with the tag “Mission Garden: Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace.”

Monthly Mission Garden Bird Walk
Every Second Thursday at 8am (next is March 11)

Join a Mission Garden birder for a walk around the garden finding birds that probably have specialized in living in gardens on the Santa Cruz River floodplain for thousands of years. Great for beginning and intermediate birders.

Physically-distanced class seating

Mindfulness and Meditation
Every Tuesday at 9am

Learn techniques for stress reduction in these tense times through mindfulness and meditation with expert and teacher Jennifer Knochel. Jennifer is a certified mindfulness facilitator through the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center and is presently enrolled in an Eco-chaplaincy program. This class taught on a donation basis. It is held in our ramada with physically-distanced seating. Masks are required in the garden. The garden is not open on Tuesdays except for this class, so please arrive promptly at 9 a.m. so that we can keep the gate closed and the garden secure during the class.

SPECIAL CLASSES AND EVENTS

Check back for updates.

INTERNATIONAL TRIPS

The fall 2021 Oaxaca trip has been postponed to 2022.

Early October 2022
A 7-day tour to benefit Mission Garden. Experience Oaxaca on a cultural jouirney with Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace. Tour includes: Jardin Botanico, Monte Alban, Teotitlan del Valle, Cuajimoloyas nature reserve, Mitla, Tlacolula, Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, El Tule, local markets, carving and weaving workshops, art exhibitions, artisanal mescal palenque. Trip includes trasportation (including air fare), lodging, breakfasts and lunches, 3 dinners, expert guides. Cost: $3,800/person. Single supplement $300. Reserve your spot by contacting Dena Cowan at dena.e.cowan@gmail.com.