Living Desert Alliance
Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving
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Meet Scott Krooksmer and Eric Wilson
Newest Members of the LDA Board of Directors.
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Scott Krooksmer joins LDA as an adviser and consultant to the Board. A strategic leader and dedicated community advocate, Scott brings deep experience in organizational strategy, governance, and team development. Throughout his career, he has led operational improvements, strengthened compliance systems, and built high‑performing teams through mentorship and thoughtful leadership. Since 2018, Scott has applied these strengths to civic advocacy, becoming a respected voice for accountability and responsible growth in Southern Arizona. As a consultant to the LDA, he supports strategic planning and organizational design, helping us expand our capacity to protect the desert we call home.
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Eric Wilson, joining as Board Treasurer, is an energy‑systems visionary whose work aligns deeply with our mission to Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving. He brings a rare blend of technical expertise and big‑picture strategy shaped by his background in energy policy, environmental science, and clean‑energy development. From leading utility‑scale solar projects in Washington State to managing major energy and water initiatives for Pima County, Eric has consistently turned innovative ideas into practical solutions that protect natural resources and strengthen communities. Today, he oversees solar integration, battery systems, EV infrastructure, and efficiency upgrades across millions of square feet of county facilities. His leadership in the Pima County Green Stewards and Climate Action Network underscores his commitment to sustainable desert living.
We’re excited to have Scott and Eric’s expertise, leadership, and passion guiding our mission as we move forward. Welcome aboard.
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Fight to Put
Data Center Referendums on the Ballot Intensifies
Data center opponents plan to fight signature rejection
The push to let Marana voters decide whether 300 acres should be rezoned for a massive data center is far from over. Supporters gathered nearly 3,000 signatures—almost double what’s required—only to have the town reject them on February 18, claiming the petitions lacked a full legal property description.
Organizers say the town itself created the problem by initially providing the wrong documents. Although the town admits to this error, they later posted an updated version, insisting the burden falls entirely on petition circulators.
Referendum supporters have filed a formal complaint and are now seeking legal counsel. If the Town refuses to accept the signatures, they’re ready to take the fight to court.
“We’re in the right, we have strong legal standing, and we will get this on the ballot one way or another,” said organizer Jackie McGuire.
Click here for KOLD 13 news report.
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Protect the Santa Ritas
Your Voice Still Matters!
Despite urgent requests from 15 elected Pima County officials, four state legislators, two Tohono O’odham leaders, and numerous environmental organizations and concerned citizens, Governor Hobbs stated she—will not stop the planned state land sale in the Santa Rita Mountains.
This decision opens the door for 160 acres to be used for tailings disposal for the Copper World open‑pit mine, placing toxic waste less than two miles from a 1,000‑home neighborhood and an elementary school.
This setback does not end the fight. Save the Scenic Santa Ritas plans to first file a formal legal protest, and if that is turned down, they will file a lawsuit. In the meantime, they continue to work tirelessly to inform, educate, and mobilize the community.
Want to get involved?
Join the upcoming Community Town Hall Meeting, hosted by Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, Saturday, February 28 | 1:00–3:00 PM Corona Foothills Middle School 16705 S. Houghton Rd., Vail, AZ. Learn how the mine threatens water, wildlife, and the Town of Sahuarita, and get the latest updates on the state land auction.
Please plan to attend. Stand with your community to protect the Santa Ritas.
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Pima County Food Alliance
Working Together for a Less Wasteful, More Sustainable Food System
Reducing food waste isn’t just a national priority—it’s a local movement gaining real momentum. As we shared in last week’s LDA newsletter, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has set an ambitious goal: cut food waste by 50% by 2030. Achieving this would mean less material in landfills, fewer resources wasted in producing uneaten food, and more nutritious meals reaching families who need them.
Right here at home, the Pima County Food Alliance (PCFA) has been championing this mission since 2011. As Pima County’s food policy council, PCFA brings together community members, farmers, market managers, agency staff, organizers, students, and researchers who care deeply about building a healthier, more resilient local food system. Through policy work, advocacy, education, and community partnerships, they envision a future where every resident has the power and resources to shape their food environment—and where community voices drive meaningful, sustainable change.
A big part of this work focuses on food waste. Restaurants, bakeries, and producers often have surplus food, and PCFA is helping ensure that good food doesn’t end up in the landfill. By strengthening communication and coordination among businesses, nonprofits, mutual aid groups, and individuals, they’re helping surplus food reach people—not trash bins.
If you’re inspired to learn more or get involved, explore these local groups already making a difference in reducing food waste:
Together, we can build a food system that nourishes our community and protects our planet and continue to Keep our Desert and Community livable and Thriving.
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Tucson Mountain Association
Action Alert!
Volunteers Needed to Remove Buffelgrass
Buffelgrass may look harmless, but it is one of the greatest threats to our Sonoran Desert. This invasive grass crowds out native plants and creates dense fuel that allows wildfires to spread in places that rarely burned before. Saguaros, palo verdes, and other desert plants are not adapted to survive fire, so when buffelgrass moves in, these iconic species are placed at real risk.
By pulling buffelgrass, you can help protect the fragile balance of the desert, preserve the landscape we love, and ensure that future generations can continue to experience the beauty of our saguaros standing tall against the Arizona sky.
The following pulls are scheduled in the Tucson Mountains. Invite your family and friends to join you.
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Saguaro National Park - West District - Friday, March 6, 7:30 am - 12:30 pm (organized by the Saguaro National Park)
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Tucson Mountain Park - Saturday, March 21, 7 am - 11 am (organized by the Sonoran Desert Weedwackers)
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Tucson Mountain Park - Wednesday, March 25, 7 am - 11 am (organized by the Sonoran Desert Weedwackers)
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Days of Connection Santa Cruz River Cleanup
Saturday, February 28th, 9 AM to 12 PM
Mark your calendar for the third annual Days of Connection Biodiversity Fiesta, part of Save Our Saguaros month.
Join Tucson Clean and Beautiful, the Arizona‑Sonora Desert Museum, Pima County, Tucson Bird Alliance and many more partners on Saturday, February 28th from 9 AM–12 PM at 2405 S. Cottonwood Ln., Tucson, for a morning packed with hands‑on activities and lively community energy.
Expect music, snacks, and plenty of green space to explore. Roll up your sleeves to help care for the Santa Cruz River by picking up litter with Tucson Clean and Beautiful and the Sonoran Institute, or learn how to spot and remove invasive plants with experts from Pima County Cooperative Extension and Tucson Bird Alliance.
You’ll also meet live animals from the Arizona‑Sonora Desert Museum, enjoy nature‑inspired art activities, and discover the ongoing community work led by Las Milpitas and the Southern Arizona Community Food Bank. Educators from Pima County Conservation Lands and the Regional Flood Control District will be on hand to share how they’re protecting our public lands.
Join in to celebrate, connect, and make a difference—Fiesta style!
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