Just north of Tucson is Biosphere 2, a science research facility. Here they study closed life system like you may need on another planet. Very informative and really a must see in the area. Another day trip was to Sabino Canyon in the foothills northeast of Tucson. We took a tram ride 4.5 miles up into the canyon and the scenery is awesome. We had to stop at one point to allow a young gila monster to cross the road. Our point of interest in Tucson was the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. This place is a zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, and history museum all in one place. Inside are the Earth Sciences Center and the Reptile and Amphibian Hall. Outside is a Mountain Woodland, a desert loop trail, and a Desert Grassland. Among tour trail javelinas, mountain lions, wolves, mule deer, bobcats, and birds. Viewing things in the reptile house can leave you a bit uneasy, but otherwise, this place is a great stop.
Biosphere 2 is in the middle of the desert. 
Not satellite but hi tech solar collectors
So many varieties of plants growing here 
The Biosphere’s indoor ocean.
The cactus in Sabino Canyon are almost artful 
The Saguaro Cactus are the largest in N.A.
The desert has its own beauty 
A river flows down the canyon
Walking the ASDM desert trail 
Javalinas are not pigs
His lair was completely dark without a blacklight 
They have a respectable wolf population here.
RV State Trekking 