(Phoenix, AZ - May 13, 2009) - Arizona State Parks volunteer Kathe Anderson will guide the season's first summer bird walk at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. More than 230 bird species have been tallied through the years at the Arboretum as both permanent and migratory residents. The tour begins at 6:30am Saturday, May 23 and will last about two hours.

Butterfly Walk

Saturday, May 23 from 9:30am until 11:30am

Learn to identify common species of butterflies and become educated about the insects' life cycles on this walk through the Hummingbird-Butterfly Gardens and Demonstration Garden with Arizona State Parks volunteer Dave Powell.

"The Arboretum Rocks!" Geology Walking Tour

Saturday, May 23 from 8:30 am until 10:00am

Ben Henderson, a professional geologist from Miami, AZ and Arizona State Parks volunteer, will teach visitors about rock and volcanic formations along the Arboretum's Main Trail. His tour lecture will span more than two billion years of geologic history.

Edible and Medicinal Desert Plants Guided Walk

Sunday, May 24 from 8:30am until 10:00am

Apache Junction author and tour guide Jean Groen will explain ways desert plants have fed, clothed and healed people for thousands of years. The tour explores the Curandero Trail, which is moderately steep and not wheelchair accessible.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is located three miles west of historic Superior on U.S. Highway 60. The tours and walks are free with admission. Summer hours are from 6:00am until 3:00pm every day. Phone 520-689-2723 or visit http://ag.arizona.edu/bta for more information.

For more information about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit azstateparks.com.

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