About Graham County, Arizona:
Discover a perfect blend of small town Americana, rich history, and economic vitality. Take a stroll down the enchanting main street, take a walking tour of our historical district, or experience our abundance of spectacular events for yourself. With their outstanding school system, they strive to make education accessible to all, from the Safford Unified School District providing quality public education, to our private and charter schools, they offer an option for any preference. Plus with stellar higher education through Eastern Arizona College Thatcher, which also offers extension courses through Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University pave the way for any path to success. Through the Mount Graham Regional Medical Center, Safford provides everything from cutting edge cancer treatment to 24-hour emergency services and more. Safford is a great place to live, work, and visit.
Are you curious about the astronomy at Mount Graham? You can see the telescopes if you’d like!
Summit Visit Information:
Mt Graham Observatory Tours Info – (928) 428-6260 – http://www.eac.edu/discoverypark/mgio.shtm
Eastern Arizona College’s Discovery Park Campus is the the official visitor’s center for the telescopes on Mount Graham. They conduct weekend tours of the Mount Graham International Observatory. Weather permitting, the tours begin in mid-May and go through October. Because permits are required to enter the endangered red squirrel refugium, advance reservations are required.
The tour features a trip up scenic Mount Graham, focusing on the mountain’s rich geology, history, and diversity of life; a lunch near the summit of the mountain; and a guided tour of the observatories — The Submillimeter Telescope, the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, and the Large Binocular Telescope!
After the Event:
For those interested in exploring the area around Safford before your departure, be sure to stop by Roper State Park. A lovely bird and water recreation area located at 101 East Roper Lake Road in Safford, Roper State Park is offering free entrance to all forum attendees during regular business hours on Saturday, August 12th.
The park is compromised of 150 acres of land surrounding a 15-acre pond. There are five miles of trails and paths in the park that let you stretch your muscles and view the wildlife making it a perfect place to spend some time before heading home. Don’t miss the opportunity for a self guided tour through another beautiful Arizona State Park.
For free admittance, please be sure to have your Forum program or lanyard to show at the main entrance gate.
Questions, contact Michelle: mreddy@azstateparks.gov
Venue Information
The main programming of the Rural Policy Forum will be held in the Gherald L. Hoopes Jr. Activities Center of Eastern Arizona College. Click here for the Thatcher Campus Map and click here for the Activities Center Map.
Event Details
Safford Map
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