What do hummingbirds, wasps, beetles, bats, butterflies, and bees have in common? They’re essential members of Rio Vista’s wild community—and they’re all pollinators. During the month of September, please join Friends of Rio Vista and Reid Park Zoo in documenting the presence of these pollinators—and more—in support of the National Recreation and Park Association’s Parks for Pollinators campaign. When you participate in a one-day Bioblitz at the Zoo and a month-long inventory at Rio Vista Natural Resource Park, you’ll be
What’s a Bioblitz?
A Bioblitz is a community-driven data-collection technique in which anyone can help to create a snapshot of the living things found in a given area. The Parks for Pollinators campaign focuses on pollinators specifically.
Data will be collected with a free app called iNaturalist through photographs of plants, insects, and other animals so that we can record what pollinators are present in the park and at the Zoo. No experience is necessary!
Parks for Pollinators at the Zoo
In addition to international conservation efforts, Reid Park Zoo is committed to the protection of native species in Southern Arizona. The Parks for Pollinators Bioblitz at the Zoo is your opportunity to support their work and to learn more about the iNaturalist app:
Parks for Pollinators Bioblitz
Reid Park Zoo Pollinator Garden
Sunday, September 6, 2026
8:30–10:30 a.m.
Parks for Pollinators at Rio Vista
Throughout September, you can add data to the long-term park conservation plan through the Parks for Pollinators 2026: Friends of Rio Vista Project. Explore the park for hidden (and not-so-hidden) pollinators, and put your camera to work for community science. Download the free iNaturalist app to your mobile device, join the Friends of Rio Vista Bioblitz project at the link above, and post your photographs there. Meet Friends of Rio Vista and Reid Park Zoo for an informal information and activity session at the park:
Source: National Recreation and Park Association Parks for Pollinators campaign.
Photo credit: Hannah Sussman.
Parks for Pollinators Bioblitz Information Session
Rio Vista Natural Resource Park, Ramada 1
Sunday, September 13, 2026
8:30–10:30 a.m.
Friends of Rio Vista is grateful to our partners at the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department for their support for conservation at Rio Vista. Stay tuned for updates, but mark your calendars now for these gatherings at the Zoo and the park!