Apply by August 12th!

When/What/Where:  Saturday September 12 from 8:00am-4:00pm & Sunday September 13, 2026 from 8:00am-3:00pm

Story Trails Teacher Professional Development is an exciting collaborative partnership between the National Park Service, Juan Bautista de Anza Trail, National Recreation Fund, and Ironwood Tree Experience. 

Over the course of 2-days teachers will experience a unique exploratory adventure in learning that traverses the ecological and cultural landscapes along the Santa Cruz River from its headwaters in the San Rafael Valley to the urban. Teachers will build a strong foundation of understanding of the multiple narratives of the Anza Trail that existed and continue to exist on the landscapes and places associated with the Anza Trail. This effort will launch the trail into a strong and thoughtful 250th commemoration of the Anza Expedition AND America 250 in the year 2026. 

Day one: Departing from Tucson, teachers will experience the ecological and cultural stories along the Anza Trail from the upper Santa Cruz River beginning in the San Rafael Valley headwaters to the Mission and Presidio at Tumacacori and Tubac.

Day two: Departing from Tucson, teachers will experience the ecological and cultural stories along the Anza Trail from the middle Santa Cruz River beginning at the Historic Canoa Ranch, to restored riparian forests and the birthplace of Tucson.

Who: We have limited spots. This PD is open to all public high school teachers, including teachers in Santa Cruz County! Preference will 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, we will provide a shuttle van from ITE to and from the program sites.

Compensation: All participating public school teachers will receive a $200 stipend for this workshop.

Questions? Email genesis@ironwoodtreeexperience.org

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!