Beaks, Feet, and Feathers: Meet some of the birds that live at HPZS up-close, discover the uniqueness of birds and how different birds live in different habitats. Discovery will continue with bird watching around Willow Lake.
3rd – 12th grade

Scales and Nails: Learn what makes reptiles so special. Discover different adaptations that reptiles have at the sanctuary and how they would use them to survive in their natural homes.
Preschool – 8th grade

Amphibians and Reptiles: What is the difference between amphibians and reptiles? In this class, discover the differences while meeting some of the reptiles and amphibians from the sanctuary.
Kindergarten – 8th grade

Creepy Crawlies: Arizona is filled with myths about scorpions and tarantulas. Meet some of these interesting arachnids while dispelling myths and learning the truth of their value.
Kindergarten – 8th grade

Aquatic Discovery: What lives in a lake? How can you determine if the lake is healthy? In this class we will , investigate these questions and more. This unique and exciting experience allows students to strap on waders and get into Willow Lake for an afternoon of discovery and fun. Then we will return back to the sanctuary to meet some wacky water critters .
3rd – 9th grade

Web of Life: All things are connected in the web of life. In this lesson, participate in activities to learn the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers. Then meet some of each up-close.
3rd – 8th grade

Pronghorn Mania: Walk away from this lesson with a full understanding of the growing challenges facing pronghorn. Topics such as pronghorn biology and habitat will be explored. Lesson can be done in the classroom as long as there is an open space to play “Oh, Pronghorn.”
5th – 8th grade

Storytime: Hear Nature Nina read a story about animals such as javelinas, cockroaches, ravens, owls, llamas, or snakes. After the story is read, review what learned about the animal from the story and then meet that animal up-close. Some story themes must take place at the sanctuary and others can be taken to the classroom.
Preschool – Kindergarten

The Sanctuary: Why does Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary exist? In this lesson, see a multimedia presentation and meet a variety of live animals from birds to invertebrates. The various rescue stories of the animals will be highlighted as well as the many conservation issues that the sanctuary is designed to address.
6th grade - Adult

Pick-A-Theme: If your group is studying something specific or is interested in a unique program not described above, we would be happy to work with you to develop a custom presentation perfect for you.
Preschool - Adult

Preschool - Kindergarten: Visit HPZS and discover how different animals use their senses to live. Touch, see, smell and experience these animals by using your own senses. Students will have a sensory extravaganza! Perfect for early cognitive development. Check out the post activity.

1st – 2nd Grade: Be lead on an adventure focused on camouflage helping different animals survive in the wild. Use your senses to explore touch-objects like furs, skulls, bones, and more. A short game on camouflage can be a fun addition and is available upon request. Check out the post activity.

3rd – 6th Grade: Why can’t a fish live in a desert? Why does a mountain king snake look like a coral snake? How can you determine what a tiger eats simply by looking at it? These are some of the questions you will explore during this interactive tour. Learn to define habitat, mimicry, herbivore, omnivore, carnivore, and camouflage. Check out the post activity.

7th–12th Grade (1.5 hr. tour): Discuss what it means to be a citizen and how the sanctuary acts as a group of active citizens. Learn about our animals’ natural and individual histories focusing on the cause of their captivity and the various conservation issues the sanctuary addresses. Learn to recognize multiple sides to issues and how people can positively make differences. Check out the post activity.

7th – 12th Grade (2 hr. tour): By adding 30 minutes to the tour, your group will be able to sit down and discuss different conservation issues learned. Discuss the five categories of citizen action and begin planning a local action. Leave the sanctuary ready to complete these actions alone or as a group in a setting like a classroom. Check out the post activity.

All Ages: If you are not interested in the above themed tours, participate in a standard tour of the facility. Learn about each of the animals and what brought them into captivity, as well as the biology and ecology of their species.