MAP of Greater Sonoran Desert Region

*This site provides general information for making the most out of a birding outing.  It is a site that is linked to a tour company.  BUT it does provide great info for basic birding.  Look under the menu tab of Birding in SE AZ.

Please watch this video before coming to class. This link takes you to part 1. Please continue through part 9.

This has a brief overview of the bat habitat in Kartchner Caverns.

Gonzales, K. W. (n.d.). Yearly return of the bats. Arizona State Parks. Retrieved June 10, 2025, from Arizona State Parks website: https://azstateparks.com/kartchner/cave-tours/yearly-return-of-the-bats 

Phillips, S. J., & Comus, P. W. (Eds.). (2000). A natural history of the Sonoran Desert (pp. 365–458). Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Press & University of California Press.

desertharvesters.org

Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Time & Date: Wednesday, September 16th, 2026 5:30-8:30 p.m. 

Location: Coronado National Forest: Sierra Vista Ranger Station

Learning outcomes:

• Understand how the Master Naturalist Basic Training course works from the student’s perspective.

  • Locate Padlet site.

  • Identify the required activities for this course.

    • Attendance, Reflection logs, Required readings, Participation

    • Capstone Presentation 

• Connect with other members of the cohort by obtaining emails and phone numbers.

• Understand the connection between Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity with the role of the Master Naturalist.

• Complete the required signature documents.

In-class Activity:

1) Master Naturalist Bingo

2) Group Discussion

1. Why are YOU interested in becoming a Master Naturalist?

2. How do you think the Master Naturalist program will benefit YOU? Benefit Others you connect with? Benefit your personal environs?

3. Share how you became interested in the natural world.

READ this article BEFORE coming to Field lab on September 19th at Brown Canyon Ranch.  The reading can be found with the Orientation overview on the Padlet site.

Fleishner, T.L. (2026). Astonished by beauty: A field guide to the practice of paying attention. Salt Lake City:  Torrey House Press.  Pages 87-96.

As you read, think about how the "art of appreciating beauty” is a central tool of the naturalist.  How can you help others notice and wonder about nature by focusing your  attention?

Read this excerpt BEFORE Class on September 23rd.

Read: “Thinking Like a Mountain” from Sand County Almanac

The link to this reading can be found with the Week 1 course materials on the PADLET site.

As you read: How do humans fit into the natural environment?  How do they affect it?

Suggested Resources for Additional Study

 Author, (N.D.). A community for naturalists: iNaturalist https://www.inaturalist.org/

Review the site and download the app through the Google Play or Apple Store.

Meiners, J., (2026).  Savoring nature will help save it, Arizona educator says in a new book. Arizona Republic, May 18, 2026. https://www.aol.com/news/savoring-nature-help-save-arizona-120143528.html

Bowers, L. (2026).  Nature is out of reach for many Latinos in southern Arizona, new study finds. Cronkite News: ASU & AZ Public Media: May 4th, 2026. https://news.azpm.org/s/103258-nature-is-out-of-reach-for-many-latinos-in-southern-arizona-new-study-finds/

Fleischner (2026). Astonished by beauty.

before you come to the field lab on Sept 19th.

You may click on the AZ-Sonora Desert Museum logo or the hyper link to access the chapter.

Please bring your LAPTOP or TABLET to class. We will orient you to the online tools and resources for this course.

Please print a copy for your use at the field lab.