Arizona-sonora Desert Museum

Arizona-sonora Desert Museum and its collection

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a 98-acre (40 ha) zoo , aquarium, botanical garden, natural history museum, publisher, and art gallery founded in 1952. Located just west of Tucson, Arizona , it features two miles (3.2 km) of walking paths traversing 21 acres (8.5 ha) of desert landscape. It is one of the most visited attractions in Southern Arizona . The nonprofit organization focuses on the interpretation of the natural history, plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert . The museum is home to more than 230 animal species and 1,200 varieties of plants. It is open every day through the year, and hosts nearly 400,000 visitors annually, including visitors from abroad. The museum is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums , a member of the American Alliance of Museums and the American Public Gardens Association .