Critter Night is an opportunity for families and individuals interested in wildlife to come and hear from experts. Over twenty wildlife agencies, organizations, and individual experts will have exhibit tables with information on diverse forms of wildlife, environmental issues, and regional wildlife populations.
There will be exhibitors specializing in hawks, mountain lions, bobcats, reptiles, fish, invertebrates, bees, bats, and microscopic organisms. Some of them will have live animals. The garden’s acequia, or canal, will play a central role, with experts dipping out macroinvertebrates and microorganisms.
Some of the exhibitors will speak about their areas of interest in the garden’s Placita area.
This is also an opportunity for Mission Garden to educate about how this re-created garden has become an important place for various kinds of wildlife.
Youth Activities:
There will be many opportunities for youth and families as well. Kids can come to the garden dressed as their favorite local wildlife species and participate in the Sonoran Wild Critter Parade at 6pm, starting at the garden's front gate! Dress up like any Sonoran critter: coyote, javelina, tarantula, bat, Gila monster, rattlesnake, desert tortoise, bird--your choice! The parade will be led by local children’s author Jodi Del Ponte!
Kids and families can also enjoy the Bookworm Path: Twenty locations with readings and activities for youth.
Schedule
5:30pm Gates open
5:30-8:30pm Wildlife information exhibitors / live animals
6:00pm Children’s costume parade
6:15pm Speakers start in the Placita (half-hour presentations)
8:30pm Garden closes