OUTDOORS CORONADO FUN. The Coronado National Memorial offers free natural history programs at 2 p.m. on Thursdays through February 27. On February 20, tempt your taste buds with a lesson in Natures Edibles. Call 1-520-366-5515 for information. DESERT ARCHAEOLOGY TOURS. The Center for Desert Archaeology offers whole- and half-day tours of local archaeological treasures including: The Romero Ruin Tour, a look at the remnants of the four great cultures that once inhabited the Catalina State Park area; the Rock Art Tour offers hikers a chance to visit fascinating petroglyph sites near Tucson and discover some of the theories on their meaning; or The Downtown Tucson Tour, where you can experience over 30 centuries of history from prehistoric villages, to the O'odham settlement, and walls of the Spanish Presidio. Half-day tours are $40, full-day treks are $70, with special group rates available for groups of three to 45 people. Wear long sleeve clothing and a hat, and make sure you've got sturdy shoes with ankle support and good traction. Water will be provided. Call 881-2244 or 885-6283 for information. DIG IT. Old Pueblo Archaeology Center, a nonprofit corporation, offers public archaeological field school sessions at the Sabino Canyon Ruin, home of Hohokam Indians 650 to 1,000 years ago. The field school features instruction in archaeological excavation techniques, artifact recovery and care, interpretation of ancient cultures, and archaeological ethics. Lunch is provided. Cost is $69 per eight-hour day, with reduced rates for groups and multiple day sign-ups. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. Archaeologist guided tours of the ruin are also available. Call 798-1201 for reservations and information. NATURE CONSERVANCY. Get out of the bustle of town and take a trip to the Nature Conservancy's Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Visitor Center. There you can get back to nature and enjoy bird watching, guided tours and hikes. Regular preserve hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Take Highway 82 to Patagonia, head west on Fourth Avenue, and south on Pennsylvania. Call (520) 394-2400 for information. TOHONO CHUL PARK. 7366 N. Paseo del Norte. 742-6455. Tohono Chul Park grounds are open from 7 a.m. to sunset daily. Exhibit hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2. Walk in the Park tours are offered at 8 a.m. Tuesday and Saturday. Art in the Park tours, docent-guided looks at gallery exhibits, are at 11 a.m. Thursday and Sunday. The park offers additional guided tours for your enjoyment. Call 742-6455 for park information and daily events schedule. SPREAD THE SUNSHINE. Tohono Chul's wildflowers are blooming! Wildflower tours continue at 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, though April 18. Meet in the entry plaza. Call 742-6455 for information.

		© 1995-97 Tucson Weekly . Info Booth