Photo Credit: Arizona State Parks

Managing and conserving Arizona's natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people, both in our Parks and through our Partnerships.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Elder at (480) 961-1443 or (602) 694-7293 or email rick.americaneagle@yahoo.com , Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518 or Monica Enriquez at (602) 542-6997 or pio@azstateparks.gov

Phoenix, AZ, March 17, 2009 &mdash Aldo Leopold is considered by many as the Father of Wildlife Management in the United States. He was born in 1887 and died in 1948.

But on Saturday, April 4, 2009, Aldo Leopold will "come back to life" in the form of Kim Stone, horticulturist for Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. Stone will portray the conservationist in costume to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Leopold's time in the American Southwest.

Stone will conduct a seminar titled "Leave No Trace" and a geo-caching event titled "Where's Aldo." He will also lead a "behind the scenes" hike. The activities begin at 10:00am and conclude at 4:00pm.

Leopold spent time in the Arizona Territory working for the U.S. Forest Service in the Apache National Forest beginning in 1909 before going to New Mexico in 1911. It is reported, but unconfirmed, he and Franklin Crider, the Arboretum's first Director, created a large plant nursery at the Arboretum years later to grow native trees, shrubs, grasses and forbs in the Southwest for conservation purposes, and for growing arid-adapted, non-native introductions for landscaping. Plants produced were widely-used for soil erosion control in the 1930s, and for landscaping disturbed areas at the Grand Canyon and elsewhere in the 1940s.

For additional information phone 520-689-2723.

Butterfly Walk * Season Debut March 28 from 9:30am until 11:30am
Learn to identify common species of butterflies on this season debut walk through the Demonstration and Hummingbird-Butterfly Gardens. Arizona State Parks volunteer Marceline Vandewater presents information about the life cycles of these colorful insects.

The "Arboretum Rocks" Geology Tour
Professional geologist and tour guide Ben Henderson teaches visitors about rocks and volcanic formations along the Arboretum's main trail. His lecture will span more than two billion years of geologic history in the region, which is one of the world's richest in copper.

The Aldo Leopold events, butterfly walk and geology tour are free with admission. Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is located three miles west of historic Superior on U.S. Highway 60.

For more information about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit www.azstateparks.com.