Tour the most recent addition to The Nature Conservancy's Gila Riparian Preserve, the Iron Bridge Tract. This parcel lies just downstream from the old iron bridge and has an active floodplain. In the afternoon, visit TNC's Gila River Farm, where the floods of 2005 carved out a new main channel for the river. The focus of this tour will be on understanding how floods and other disturbances shape the river ecosystem. Meet at the Silver City Visitor Center at 9 a.m. to carpool, or arrive on-site at the Iron Bridge Tract by 9:45 a.m (includes carpool time). REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Dr. Thomas Fleischner is a conservation biologist, author and educator who has worked in the environmental field for more than 25 years. Dr. Fleischner is a professor of environmental studies at Prescott College in Arizona, where he was key in the development of the school's degree track in Conservation Biology. He is the author of "Desert Wetlands" and has published numerous articles in journals such as Conservation Biology, Wild Earth, and Natural Resources Journal.

Join Forest Service archaeologists Bob Schiowitz and Chris Adams to learn more about prehistoric agricultural fields in the Purgatory Chasm area.

Meet at the Silver City Visitor Center at 9 a.m. to carpool, or arrive on-site at the Purgatory Chasm trailhead located between the Upper End and Mesa Campgrounds at Lake Roberts by 10:15 a.m. REGISTRATION REQUIRED

This birding field trip will include access to a State Wildlife Area adjacent to the Gila Wilderness and the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Meet at the Silver City Visitor Center at 7:00 a.m. to ride the bus round trip, or arrive on-site at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument's Gila Visitor Center by 8:45 a.m. to explore fall migrant and resident bird species in riparian areas surrounded by tall conifers. Bus passengers will be treated to a light breakfast (juice, pastry, and fruit) and interpretive guidance by SWNM Audubon board members on what to expect for the day ahead. There will be some hiking off-trail through the riparian areas. Lunch on-your-own will be available from vendors following the field trip, and prior to our return. Bus departs the headwaters area at 1:00 p.m.; arrival back in Silver City at approximately 2:30 p.m. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. $10 FEE INCLUDES BUS RIDE AND BREAKFAST.

Get up close and personal with the Gila River by clearing brush along the river and setting up rock cairns to mark river crossings. Tools and training provided. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, long sleeves, gloves and sun hat. Bring water.

Accompany naturalist Mike Fugagli on a family-friendly hike through the Gila Riparian Preserve to the Gila gauging station, and discover what makes the Gila River so special. Bring a sack lunch, water, sun hat and sturdy shoes. Approximately 3 miles roundtrip. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. NOTE: This is the only Sunday event happening in the Cliff-Gila Valley.

Find out how we know what we know about the Gila River through hands-on demonstrations led by the National Park Service - Sonoran Desert Network.

For the novice and pro… hear tips and tricks from seasoned fly fisherman and author Dutch Salmon, plus learn about the ones that got away!

Get the skinny on water quality from Dave Menzie of the NMED Surface Water Quality Bureau.

Find out how watersheds work and how we can repair them through a hands-on demonstration led by Van Clothier, stream restoration expert and owner of Stream Dynamics.

See page 10 for more information on food vendors. Performing artists include “David Gierke,” “Black Walnut,” and “Ed Teja & Gypsy Feet.”

The regularly scheduled daily tours of the cliff dwellings at 11am and 2pm will have a special focus for this festival weekend. Discover how water helped to shape the natural and cultural history of the national monument. Tours begin at the first cave; allow approximately 30 minutes to hike to the starting point. $3 ENTRANCE FEE APPLIES

Follow long-time Gila Cliff Dwellings volunteer Jim Ransom back in time as he leads a geology tour through the canyon and caves. Discover how floods of ash and lava underlie the Gila Conglomerate, a product of flooding as well. $3 ENTRANCE FEE APPLIES

How can you make the Gila River Headwaters, floodplain, and places downstream a healthier place for people and animals in less than two hours? Trash bags and gloves will be provided for anyone willing to partake in a quick campground clean up with big results.

Join NM Dept. of Game & Fish fisheries biologist David Propst in a riverside discussion of the role and status of native fish species.

If you missed the Monsoon Puppet Parade and skit on Saturday, here is another chance to meet a couple of the puppets and learn the lesson that the children's book The Little Creek has to teach us about healthy rivers. As a bonus, find out how you can become a Junior Ranger at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.

Take a walkabout with Forest Service archaeologist Bob Schiowitz and UNM archaeologist Chris Turnbow to various sites around the visitor center, and hear how native peoples adapted to life in this river environment. Wear sturdy shoes.