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Pima County approves master plan for new desert center

Pima County approves master plan for new desert center

According to a Pima County news release, at the May 14 meeting, Pima County Board of Supervisors approved the master plan for Mary Henderson Desert Center.

If she were alive, Mary Ewing Henderson would undoubtedly be pleased that her home in the Tucson Mountains, the surrounding 22.5 acres and its network of trails will be preserved by Pima County for the community’s benefit.

According to an obituary in the Decatur, Ill., Herald & Review, Mary Ewing Henderson died April 19, 2002, in Tucson after a long illness. She was 88. She married Arthur Henderson in 1948 and they made their home in the Tucson Mountains. Her husband died in 1952, but “her love of the desert and mountains led to her strong advocacy of maintaining open space and her longtime support of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum,” the obituary said.

The title to the property on West Anklam Road passed to the museum when Mary Henderson died. In 2012, the museum donated the property to Pima County.

Holiday activity advisory from Coronado National Forest officials

Holiday activity advisory from Coronado National Forest officials

Large numbers of visitors are expected this Memorial Day weekend to the Coronado National Forest’s most popular campgrounds and picnic areas. 

Officials with the Coronado National Forest are offering the following tips for a fun and safe holiday or any other weekend visit:

Campfires, Smoking and Fireworks.  Due to increased fire danger, the

Evergreen Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony

Evergreen Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony

This year on May 27, American Legion Post 7 and VFW Post 10188 of Tucson, have joined as comrades to present this years Memorial Day Ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery.

There will be a National Guard Fly over at

Bureau of Land Management begins fire restrictions

Bureau of Land Management begins fire restrictions

Effective Wednesday, May 22, the Gila District of the Bureau of Land Management, to include all districts of Coronado National Forest, Saguaro National Park, Coronado National Memorial, Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Tumacacori National Historical Park, and the Arizona State Forestry Division will implement campfire and smoking restrictions in southeastern Arizona.

Starting May 22 and until the order is rescinded the following are prohibited:

AZ State Parks looking for more park rangers

AZ State Parks looking for more park rangers

Arizona State Parks are gearing up to hire the most talented people for employment opportunities as a Park Ranger, Park Manager, or Park Ranger Specialist in all 27 State Parks and Natural Areas. Law enforcement officers and veterans are welcome to apply!

Some of the duties a park ranger may perform include serving as an

A trail in Saguaro National Park East is tagged by vandals

A trail in Saguaro National Park East is tagged by vandals

Vandals are back at work in the Rincon Mountain District of the Saguaro National Park.  Graffiti was discovered last weekend on several rocks and saguaros along the Douglas Springs Trail.

It was confirmed by park officials that 16 objects were

June events calendar for Desert Museum's Summer Saturday evenings

June events calendar for Desert Museum's Summer Saturday evenings

The following is a list of events for June’s Summer Saturday Evenings at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. 

Check the list then mark your calendars:

June 1 – Diamonds of the Desert

The Museum celebrates its Diamond Jubilee Anniversary by