Official Web Site of the City of Phoenix

To schedule a Docent Tour please contact debbi.radford@phoenix.gov or phone 602-495-7927.

ATTENTION:

The Tres Rios Wetlands staff has targeted the area to the west of 91st Avenue as a restoration and reclamation area of the river habitat to preserve and protect the wildlife. The constructed wetland cells in this part of the river are being decommissioned in anticipation of our future full-scale project. The orange Ingress Permits wetlands staff formerly issued to birders are no longer valid and will not be issued again in the foreseeable future. At the specific request of the City of Phoenix Police Department, and for your own personal safety, the public is no longer able to enter the site posted with the sign pictured below until further notice.

Docent guided tours have been offered at the wetland since spring 2004. We provide volunteers with a written tour "script" which is a combination of staff notes, updates, and revisions from April 2004 to present. Posted guided tour availability hours are Monday through Friday 6 am to 5 pm and Saturday and Sunday 6 am to 11 am unless the day in question is a designated city holiday.

Do you enjoy being out in the wetlands and want to get involved? Our volunteer tour guide, or docent, program is always looking for new volunteers. We will teach you about the history of the wetlands, the basics of natural water treatment, the animals who frequent the site, and provide you with a tour manual. You will then be called to come lead others around the wetland, and help teach school kids, families, and visitors from all over about the beauty of the area, and the benefits of wetland water treatment. It's a great way to help teach people about the environment, and have fun discovering the birds of Tres Rios at the same time! For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Debbi Radford at debbi.radford@phoenix.gov.

The visiting public will contact Debbi Radford directly and she will contact the volunteers whose availability is most likely by phone or email to schedule the tour. Volunteers wishing to schedule themselves to lead tours are encouraged to do so by contacting Debbi Radford and provide scheduling information.

Tres Rios Staff has accumulated a library of books on wetlands vegetation, wildlife, and Indian folklore to be made available to docent instructors as requested. Persons desiring to further their understanding of the wetlands, folklore, and local history should contact Debbi Radford at (602) 495-7927 to coordinate the book exchange.