Nature Talk Series	Download Nature Talk Guide
The Honeywell Nature Talk series is at the core of the Festival experience. This is an opportunity for people of all ages to really learn about our native wildlife, culture and community. From Bald Eagles to Bats and Slinky Snakes, the wildlife list is impressive. Biologists from the state and federal levels will share their knowledge and programs about Arizona’s wildlife. Also, you can learn about the birds and other animals that may wander into your own back yard! Our Nature Talks are simply amazing – it is an opportunity for kids be entertained, learn something from the experts and to have a great time! There is storytelling, talks, live animals and so much more – you may not want to leave the “Talks” stage and explore the rest of the festival!
Saturday Nature Talks Stage 9:00 – 10:00 Desert Fables 10:00-10:30 Fishing 10:30-11:00 Desert Oasis - How do people and animals survive in the desert? 11:00-11:30 Playing with Bugs! 11:30-12:00 Live Birds of Prey 12:00-12:30 Lunch Box Game 12:30-1:00 Playing with Bugs! 1:00-1:30 Early hunting; the Atlatl 1:30-2:00 Leave No Trace 2:00-2:30 Fishing 2:30-3:00 Snakes & Reptiles 3:00-4:00 Desert Fables	Sunday Nature Talks Stage 9:00 – 10:00 Desert Fables 10:00-10:30 Fishing 10:30-11:00 Desert Oasis - How do people and animals survive in the desert? 11:00-11:30 Playing with Bugs! 11:30-12:00 Live Birds of Prey 12:00-12:30 Lunch Box Game 12:30-1:00 Playing with Bugs! 1:00-1:30 Early hunting; the Atlatl 1:30-2:00 Leave No Trace 2:00-2:30 Fishing 2:30-3:00 Snakes & Reptiles 3:00-4:00 Desert Fables

Desert Fables – 9am and 3pm Saturday, 9am and 1pm Sunday

Anne McDermott

Ann McDermott is a freelance writer who writes of the Sonoran Desert.  Ann will share her stories about fables of desert plants and animals.

Fishing – 10am and 2pm Saturday

Ron Johnson, fishing guide

Come learn about fishing in Arizona.  Ron will talk about great places to fish, what you can expect to catch, and how to get started!

Desert Oasis - How do people and animals survive in the desert? – 10:30am Saturday

Bernadine McCollum, The Nature Conservancy

Learn about river ecology and how rivers make it possible for birds, plants, animals and YOU to survive in the desert.  Hands-on activities.

Playing with Bugs! – 11am and 12:30pm Saturday

Cindy Fernandez

Want to know more about some common desert bugs?  Ever wonder if you can touch that crawling bug without getting hurt?  Are you a little squeamish but curious about bugs?  Want to learn how to play with a bug and then let it go unharmed?  These and more questions will be answered.

Live Birds of Prey – 11:30am Saturday and Sunday

Liberty Wildlife

Liberty Wildlife, a non-profit rehabilitation, education, and conservation organization, will have live birds of prey.  They will talk about their habitat in Arizona, and about the birds themselves.

Lunch Box Game – 12 noon Saturday

Anne Goldfeld, Resources for Health

Come pack your lunch box with Anne!  Choose between items to learn how to pack a zero-waste lunch.

Early hunting; the Atlatl – 1pm Saturday

Fred Hulstrom, Arizona Archaeological Society

Come learn about an early hunting weapon, the atlatl, and how Native Americans used it to help survive in the desert.

Leave No Trace – 1:30pm Saturday

Liz Smith, City of Phoenix Parks Department

Hiking in the desert is lots of fun.  Learn how to enjoy the hike and keep the area clean for animals and other hikers.

Snakes & Reptiles – 2:30pm Saturday and Sunday

Randy Babb, Arizona Game & Fish Department

Arizona is full of fascinating snakes and lizards.  Come see live animals and learn about some of the more interesting ones you can find here in our deserts!

Raptors at Risk – 10:30am Sunday

Kyle McCarty, Arizona Game & Fish Department

Birds of prey (or raptors) come in all shapes and sizes in Arizona, from the tiny Elf Owl to the Bald Eagle.  Learn about raptors in general, some of the threats to their survival, and hear about a few of Arizona’s rarest and most threatened species, including desert-nesting bald eagles.

Mammals that Live Near You – 11am Sunday

Jon Hanna, Arizona Game & Fish Department

Did you know that jaguars historically ranged into the Estrella Mountains?  Do you know all the aquatic mammals that occur along the Gila River?  Can you expect to find lions or coatis in this area? Stop by and test your knowledge about mammals that live near you!

Edible Aquifer – 12 noon Sunday

London Lacy, City of Surprise Water Conservation Office

Make your own aquifer that you can eat!  London will talk about where our water comes from, and you will be able to create your own aquifer using yummy sweet treats.

BATS! – 3pm Sunday

Nancy Renison

Explore the world of bats and learn about how bats navigate and capture prey (echolocation). Nancy Renison, a bat biologist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, will share her knowledge about bats in this delightfully animated and hands-on presentation. This family program is fun and educational. You’re ‘guano’ love it!!

Nature Investigator Tech – 3:30pm Saturday

Cris Cristoffer, Luke Air Force Base

Naturalists study nature. Ordinary people like you can be naturalists, too. I will show you technology available for amateur naturalists. One is a telescope to watch wildlife. Another is a dish microphone and digital recorder to record animal sounds. Others include powder that glows at night (to track pollinators), a gizmo to measure temperature and humidity, gizmos to tell you how far away something is, gizmos for counting and measuring, nets to exclude birds OR insects (to see which visits flowers), and others.

Contact Information:

    Festival Phone: 623-204-2130
    Email: tresriosfestival@cox.net