Recognition & Awards

2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service

On May 21, 2024, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced the 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities. Since 1994, the award has honored 212 institutions that exemplified extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is proud to be one of those 10 recipients.

2023 Arizona Daily Star Readers' Choice
— Best Attraction

2018 2018 TripSavvy Editors’ Choice Award
— Parks & Gardens

2016 Arizona Daily Star Readers' Choice
— Best Family Attraction
— Best Art Gallery

2015 Tucson Lifestyle Best of the City
— Best Museum
— Best Local Attraction

Best Zoo Exhibit
#8 - Desert Loop Trail - Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
As chosen by readers of USA TODAY and 10Best

Photo courtesy of Jay Pierstorff
As visitors hike along the Desert Loop Trail at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, boundaries between human and animal seem to fade into the scenery, creating the illusion of hiking through the wilds of the Desert Southwest. When a coyote or javelina peaks around a Saguaro cactus, it feels like you're encountering the animals in the wild.

Arizona Commission on the Arts — Art Tank Grant

Miss Marple, Eric, and Curator Will meet Bob Booker, Director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

Resident Ringtail Miss Marple traveled to Bisbee on January 13, 2015 for Arizona Art Tank: South, presented by Arizona Commission on the Arts. She (and the Museum) were excited to win a $6,000 grant for the Woven Words poetry project! Miss Marple presented alongside Eric Magrane, Museum poet-in-residence, and Tyler Meier, Director of the University of Arizona Poetry Center.

The Crescordia Award for Environmental Stewardship (Southern Arizona)

34th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards
Presented by Arizona Forward in partnership with SRP

Arizona Forward initiated the Environmental Excellence Awards in 1980 to recognize outstanding contributions to the physical environment of our local communities. The program has grown significantly and now serves as a benchmark for promoting sustainability, conserving natural resources and preserving our unique desert environment for future generations. The coveted Crescordia — a Greek term meaning "growing in harmony" — is given as the highest honor in each category.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum was chosen for championing the fragile Sonoran Desert ecosystem and nurturing its inhabitants, while fostering public appreciation, understanding, and stewardship.

Journal Broadcasting - Community Partner Award

The Desert Museum has been selected as Journal Broadcasting's Community Partner for the month of November. This designation affords the museum about $100,000 in media exposure during the month. This will be a combination of exposure on 2 television stations, 4 radio stations and 5 websites as well as special programming digital side-channels.

• KGUN-9 On Your Side;
• Tucson CW 58;
• 94.9 MIXfm;
• 104.1 KQTH
• 106.3 The GROOVE;
• ESPN Tucson 1490am/104.9fm