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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Saturday Morning Guided Birding
May
2
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Audubon Southwest
Saturday Morning Guided Birding
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
Burrowing Owl Relocation Volunteer Days, May 2
May
2
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Audubon Southwest
Burrowing Owl Relocation Volunteer Days, May 2
Salome, AZ
Roll-up your sleeves to help displaced owls! Burrowing Owls are day-active birds that live and nest in abandoned underground burrows. Once common...
Conservation & Habitat Restoration In-Person
Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch Potluck Presentations
May
8
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Audubon Southwest
Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch Potluck Presentations
Elgin, AZ
Join us for Potluck Presentations at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch! Bring a dish and enjoy presentations delivered by local science and...
Education & Workshops In-Person
Habitat Restoration Volunteer Days at Rio Salado
May
9
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Audubon Southwest
Habitat Restoration Volunteer Days at Rio Salado
Phoenix, AZ
Spend a few weekend hours helping Audubon help birds at the Rio Salado Audubon Center in South Phoenix. Work varies throughout the year and includes...
Art, Culture & Community In-Person
Guided Nature Walks
May
14
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Audubon Southwest
Guided Nature Walks
Phoenix, AZ
Join us for a peaceful and mindful walk through the Rio Salado habitat. Together, we’ll explore the trails, enjoy the sights and sounds of nature...
Birding & Community Science In-Person
Desert Rivers Audubon: Higley Ponds Monthly Bird Walk
May
18
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
Nature Explorers
May
23
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Audubon Southwest
Nature Explorers
Phoenix, AZ
Join us for a fun, family-friendly nature adventure at the Rio Salado Audubon Center! Families are invited to get outside, explore the trails and...
Family & Kids In-Person