Next-Generation of
Sonoran Desert Researchers Pushing the arc of desert research
The Sonoran Desert does not stop at the border. This nearly 120,000 square mile region stretches across the Mexican states of Sonora, Baja California, and Baja California Sur, and into the Southwestern United States. Because the desert is one connected ecosystem, what happens in one place can affect an entire region.
The Next Generation of Sonoran Desert Researchers (N‑Gen), a web-based community of more than 1,000 members in 41 fields across 21 regions, works to make sure everyone across this vast area remember that the desert is shared—and that protecting it takes teamwork across borders.
N‑Gen brings together a new generation of scientists and conservation leaders who know that progress happens when they share what they learn. Members meet at Summits—from Tucson to Guaymas to the upcoming 2027 gathering in Desert Seas Summit, La Paz—while still connecting in everyday moments, like talking around a campfire or joining a Zoom call from different countries.
This teamwork shows that collaboration grows through strong relationships and a shared love for the land. By staying connected, everyone becomes stronger and more creative in facing the region’s challenges.
The Living Desert Alliance is grateful to N-Gen and all its members for working together, sharing their knowledge, and making a difference. Your efforts help protect and preserve the Sonoran Desert and all who inhabit it.
Want to contribute to their amazing efforts?
Click here to learn how you, your group, or organization can assist in the upcoming 2026 April/May Bio-Blitz.
Photo: Sonoran Desert Map - World Maps Enviro-Map.com
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