Tucson, AZ – The nonprofit Public Lands Interpretive Association (PLIA) has reopened its bookstores in front of the Sabino Canyon and Palisades Visitor Centers. The outdoor stores will be open from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, Thursday through Monday. The Sabino Canyon bookstore will be located in the courtyard in front of the visitor center building. The Palisades Visitor Center on Mount Lemmon will be open on the outdoor deck outside of the visitor center building.

PLIA staff request that visitors adhere to wearing face masks and practice social distancing while shopping. The two stores have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Bighorn Fire since mid-March.

“We are very excited to be able to serve the public again at our bookstores in Tucson and on Mount Lemmon,” said Amanda Keith, Executive Director of PLIA. “This has been a difficult year for nonprofits like ours and we strongly appreciate the public’s support as we resume modified operations in partnership with the Coronado National Forest.”

Visitors will be able to shop a wide variety of books, notecards, plush, and Sabino Canyon and Mount Lemmon – themed apparel. Sabino Canyon designed face masks will also be available for sale while supplies last.

PLIA has partnered with the Coronado National Forest since 1982 to operate educational bookstores. In addition to operating the stores, PLIA staff provide information to visitors and provide support to other partners for the benefit of the forest. Last year, PLIA donated educational materials to grow a children’s learning corner managed by the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists. Through the creation of an online store this fall, PLIA is currently donating 5% of online sales to Friends of Sabino Canyon to help with restoration efforts after the Bighorn Fire.

To support the Sabino Canyon and Palisades bookstores, visit PLIA onsite! Sabino Canyon is located at  5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750 and Palisades is located at milepost 19.9 on the Catalina Highway.

You may also shop online. Visit the Sabino Canyon webpage for publications and gifts at www.publiclands.org/sabino-canyon.

PLIA is a 501 c(3) nonprofit organization based in Albuquerque, NM. Its mission is to inspire and educate the public about the natural and cultural heritage resources of America’s public lands. It primarily serves the southwest states of Arizona and New Mexico in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and the USDA Forest Service.