Southwest Projects

Rio Community Festivals

Our Goals
Reconnecting people and nature through free community festival events.
What We’re Doing
Rio Community Festivals bring together local partners, community organizations, and the public to celebrate nature, conservation, culture, art, music and more.
Liberty Wildlife Presentation. Photo: Danny Roper-Jones/Audubon Southwest

Connecting Community Through Nature: Rio Community Festivals

Throughout the year, Rio Salado Audubon Center hosts free Rio Community Festivals featuring music, art, culture, or food, while also celebrating our shared connections to nature. The festivals are built on strong partnerships, helping uplift both incredible community organizations and Audubon's conservation partners. Activities may include live animal workshops, conservation action tables, bird walks, arts and crafts, and other family-friendly fun. From Indigenous music, art, and culture in the fall to Valentine’s Day–themed festivals in the winter, each festival offers a unique and engaging experience for all, while offering ways for people to engage in conservation and community science.

Explore our upcoming events to learn more about the next Rio Community Festival.

Upcoming Events
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Desert Rivers Audubon: Kachina Wetlands, Pump House Trail and Arboretum
Sep
2
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Audubon Community Chapters
Desert Rivers Audubon: Kachina Wetlands, Pump House Trail and Arboretum
Arizona, Flagstaff, AZ
Kachina Wetlands is a unique HotSpot with a wide variety of wetland and upland species. Just 10 minutes south of Flagstaff, with beautiful views of...
Art, Culture & Community In-Person
Rio Nature Network Meeting
Sep
4
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Audubon Southwest
Rio Nature Network Meeting
Phoenix, AZ
The Rio Nature Network is an informal gathering hosted by Audubon at Rio Salado Audubon Center on a quarterly basis. The group aims to provide a...
Art, Culture & Community In-Person
Desert Rivers Audubon: Cindy Marple; “Voyage to the Ross Sea: The other side of Antarctica"
Sep
8
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Audubon Community Chapters
Desert Rivers Audubon: Cindy Marple; “Voyage to the Ross Sea: The other side of Antarctica"
Gilbert, AZ
Please note this a hybrid meeting, You can attend in person or join the meeting for the speaker presentation. Doors open at 6:30 pm for socializing...
Art, Culture & Community In-Person
Art and Papermaking Workshop
Sep
19
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Rio Salado Audubon Center
Art and Papermaking Workshop
Phoenix, AZ
Join Arizona State University (ASU), AZ Land, and Audubon Southwest for a fun, family-friendly workshop featuring art, papermaking, and discussions...
Art, Culture & Community In-Person
Desert Rivers Audubon: Higley Ponds Monthly Bird Walk
Sep
21
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Audubon Community Chapters
Desert Rivers Audubon: Higley Ponds Monthly Bird Walk
Gilbert, AZ
Join us for this urban wetlands bird walk! Wide, flat trails parallel the groundwater recharge ponds for easy viewing and comfortable walking. These...
Art, Culture & Community In-Person
Desert Rivers Audubon: Upper Beeline Highway – Sycamore Creek
Sep
28
5:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Audubon Community Chapters
Desert Rivers Audubon: Upper Beeline Highway – Sycamore Creek
Fountain Hills, AZ
Upper Beeline Highway – Sycamore Creek is a high elevation riparian area northeast of Fountain Hills with willows, cottonwoods, sycamores, pines...
Art, Culture & Community In-Person
Saturday Guided Bird Walk
Oct
3
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Rio Salado Audubon Center
Saturday Guided Bird Walk
Phoenix, AZ
Join our local bird enthusiasts for a guided bird walk through the Rio Salado habitat! These walks are for everyone: experts, novices, and people who...
Birding & Community Science In-Person