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

Apr

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

Habitat Restoration Volunteer Days at Rio Salado

Apr

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...

Art, Culture & Community In-Person

Maricopa Bird Alliance: Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve Habitat Restoration

Apr

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Audubon Community Chapters

Maricopa Bird Alliance: Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve Habitat Restoration

Glendale, AZ

Arizona State University has co-managed the 47-acre Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve in partnership with the Maricopa County Flood Control since 1994...

Art, Culture & Community In-Person

Desert Rivers Audubon: Higley Ponds Monthly Bird Walk

Apr

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...

Art, Culture & Community In-Person

Desert Rivers Audubon: Sycamore Creek upper Beeline Highway

Apr

6:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Audubon Community Chapters

Desert Rivers Audubon: Sycamore Creek upper Beeline Highway

Fountain Hills, AZ

**Sycamore Creek upper Beeline Highway** is Maricopa County’s most accessible high elevation riparian area. Sycamores and willows line a creek with...

Art, Culture & Community In-Person

Arizona Project WET Training

Apr

3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Audubon Southwest

Arizona Project WET Training

Phoenix, AZ

Calling all educators! Join us for a FREE hands-on training hosted by Arizona Project WET.

Education & Workshops In-Person

Guided Nature Walks