Learn about the geology of the Catalinas at Hiking Club

Mary Hanley

On Wednesday, November 15 at 4:00 p.m. Dr. Joaquin Ruiz, Vice President for Innovation and Dean of the College of Science at the University of Arizona, will speak to members of the SaddleBrooke Hiking Club about the geological features of the Catalina Mountains that attract the variety of vegetation, plants and wildlife that we see there today. He will explain that some wildlife, birds, vegetation and plants that we see in the Catalinas travel from as far north as the Arctic and come up from as far south as Patagonia! This makes the area of the Catalinas unique in the Americas.

Dr. Ruiz will also address the effects of climate change on the area. As the Catalinas are a very popular hiking destination for our club members, this should be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about what we see during those hikes and what a changing climate might mean for the future.

Dr. Ruiz is a renowned Professor of Geosciences and the Thomas R. Brown Chair and Director of Biosphere 2. As a scientist with equal abilities in chemistry and in geology, he addresses many first-order problems in the Earth Sciences. Along with his research team, Dr. Ruiz works on problems ranging from the origins of life to present day climate change.

All SaddleBrooke and SaddleBrooke Ranch residents are welcome to attend this very interesting meeting which will be held in the HOA 1 Activity Center. Please remember that there is limited parking at the Center and no parking along the street; however, there is parking near the Bocce courts and a walkway down to the Center. Following the talk, everyone is encouraged to go to the Agave Lounge at the SaddleBrooke Clubhouse for a drink. If you have questions about the meeting, please contact Mary Hanley from the Hiking Club Program Committee at [email protected].