Early-Bird Media Alert: The Press is Flocking to Santa Cruz County…
This July, Santa Cruz County will roll out its red carpet as it welcomes invited members of the national press to visit each of its 10 “As the Birds Fly South” sculpture locations as part of a guided tour led by the Santa Cruz Tourism Council. Though originally scheduled for spring, the council is now ready after finalizing a few critical details to launch its official Media Tour this summer—an ideal time for visitors, with its slightly cooler temperatures and a summer bird-watching season that’s at its peak.

The media will be guided along the “As the Birds Fly South” map route, spending approximately 15 minutes to a half-hour at each bird sculpture location engaged in an activity that reflects the unique attraction of that specific destination.

The media tour will generate tourist interest in the “As The Birds Fly South” program—a marketing initiative that was conceived to drive tourism traffic to Santa Cruz Valley’s many historical, cultural, and natural treasures. Lisa Harrison, president and CEO of the Santa Cruz Tourism Council DBA Tubac-Santa Cruz Visitor Center explains, “The bird sculptures serve as a directory that informs visitors and residents alike of the many natural, historical, cultural, and artistic resources that are all part of the Santa Cruz Valley. The “As the Birds Fly South” program reveals to others what we already know: our rich valley is a paradise for birds, birders, and travelers alike.”

In the meantime, anyone interested in catching a glimpse of the fine art sculptures—and getting a “scoop” on the press—can take a sneak peak at the birds at the following locations:

• “The Birdwatcher” at the Amado Territory Inn in Amado
•“Roadrunners,” at the historic Tubac Golf Resort in Tubac
• The “Magnificent Turkey Vulture” at Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico
•“Grey Hawk” at the Patagonia Area Business Association’s Visitor Center in Patagonia
•“Screech Owls: Sightings” at Estancia Yerba Buena/Kino Springs Country Club in Kino Springs outside of Nogales
•“Two Ravens” at La Entrada de Tubac at the Tubac-Santa Cruz Visitor Center in Tubac
•“Long Eared Owls” at the Rio Rico Nature Center
•“Owl Totem” at the historic La Mision de San Miguel in Patagonia
•“Desert Feathers” at the historic Rex Ranch Resort in Amado
•"Raptor-ous” at the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce

The “As the Birds Fly South” program, developed in partnership with the Tubac-Santa Cruz Visitor Center, the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce and the Tubac Center of the Arts, celebrates the area as a premier destination for bird-watchers as well as other visitors who want to head for southern Arizona’s year-round perfect climate for relaxation and adventure. The program is supported in part through a United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant.

For more information about the “As the Birds Fly South” program, contact the Tubac-Santa Cruz Visitor Center’s at 520-398-0007.

"The Birds Fly South" is sponsored in part through funding from the USDA RBEG grant program.