Bridging Schools & Parks

When/What/Where: Saturday, September 19, 2026 from 8:00am – 3:30pm
Bridging Schools and Parks is a collaborative project between Saguaro National Park, National Park Foundation, and Ironwood Tree Experience (ITE), which encourages access to Saguaro National Park for the educational benefit of public high school teachers and their students.
This 1-day professional development workshop will be led by Saguaro National Park and Ironwood Tree Experience staff at the Saguaro NP West (Tucson Mountain District). The workshop introduces high school teachers to guided community science activities, for use with classes that can be applied inside the Park, public lands, schoolyards, and community spaces. Additionally, participating teachers will receive a free class field trip, transportation funds, access to curriculum, and NPS staff support during field trips.
Who?: We have limited spots. ITE programs give priority to public high school teachers. However, teachers of any grade are welcome to apply and will be considered if there are open spots in the program. Preference will also be given to public high school teachers who have not enrolled in a PD in the past!
Transportation: The program will begin and conclude at Ironwood Tree Experience (Historic Y, 738 N. 5th Ave, 85705 ). You are encouraged to carpool to ITE, from there we will provide a shuttle van from ITE to and from the program sites.
Compensation: Stipends are available only to public high school teachers who are doing a specific TPD for the first time.
Questions?: Email [email protected]
Additional Benefits: Become an Ironwood Tree Experience Keystone Educator through Professional Development workshops that provide advanced training in Sonoran Desert ecology and science, culture and history! ITE Keystone Educators are able to preregister for Field Studies for Schools classroom field trips, as well as receive advance information about future programs and internships, like Youth for Blue Skies, for your students!