Rosemont

Barrel Canyon BioBlitz

A Resounding Success!

Over 40 participants from throughout Arizona, including those experienced in botany, entomology, herpetology, ornithology, zoology and even animal tracking, joined forces for last Sunday's Santa Rita Mountains/Rosemont Barrel Canyon Bioblitz.

Participants documented over 396 individual observations resulting in the identification of more than 161 species, including magnificent old-growth trees, hundreds of plants, animals, and insects living in this vibrant ecosystem now threatened by the proposed 26 sq. mile Hudbay/Copperworld open pit mine.

Data obtained from this effort will become a valuable scientific tool for researching and monitoring the areas biodiversity and will assist in supporting efforts to stop this mine.

A special thanks to everyone involved, especially the

Great Old Broads for Wilderness, and Dave DeGroot, for their efforts coordinating this well run and important event!

Additional BioBlitz results will be shared as information becomes available.

Local Residents

Gather to "Educate"

Sahuarita Town Council

Part of an On-Going Community Education Effort

On Monday, March 24th, Green Valley and Sahuarita residents, frustrated over mine operations in the Santa Rita Mountains, made their voices heard during an educational rally outside and inside the Sahuarita town council chambers

The participating “educators” expressed concerns over the potential environmental and public health impacts of the mine, including increased truck traffic, water pollution and air contamination from mine tailings. "We’re here, showing up in a place where they have to listen to us," said Anna Darian, Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement for Save the Scenic Santa Ritas. "We’re not on the agenda, but we’re taking advantage of the call to the public to voice our concerns."

Raya Torres, from KOLD 13 News, and Joel Foster from KGUN 9, covered the event interviewing multiple residents living near the Santa Rita Mountains, who are worried how mine operations at the Hudbay/Copper World Mine will impact their community.

Christi Moody, a local resident, shared her concerns about "Massive trucks carrying ore, 24/7, 365, it’s too much. I think they (the council) need to be aware of what they’re (Hudbay/Copper World Mine) are bringing into the community.”

Nina Luxenberg highlighted the strain on water resources, noting the region's vulnerability to drought. "Copper World will use an average of 4.4 billion gallons of water per year — enough for 102,600 individuals annually," she explained.

Several "educators" spoke inside the council chambers to express their concerns during the Call to the Public session. Anna Darian, said, “It is possible to support this mine and still advocate for the highest level of protection for this community. We are talking about air quality for children. This is a family community.”

Despite the public outcry, Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy and the Town Council have maintained that they cannot comment on the matter since the mine is outside their jurisdiction.

Click here to view the KOLD 13 news segment.

Click here to view the KGUN 9 news segment.

Click here to watch passionate speakers "educate" the Council during the Call to the Public session.

Stay tuned for information on a Townhall meeting

scheduled for Saturday, April 12 at the Sahuarita Library.

Pima County Seeks Community’s Input

on Climate Plan

Series of public input sessions begin April 3rd

Pima County and its coalition partners, the City of Tucson, Town of Oro Valley, City of South Tucson, Tohono O’odham Nation (mmm where is the Town of Marana?), are seeking input from the community as they work to strengthen a comprehensive plan for dealing with climate change.

Toward that goal, the County is holding a series of public sessions beginning April 3rd and running through the end of June, with each one dedicated to focusing on reduction measures for greenhouse gas emissions from seven different sectors.

• Electric Utilities
• Commercial & residential buildings
• Transportation
• Waste & materials management
• Industry
• Natural & Working Lands
• Agriculture

“These sessions will be a valuable opportunity to connect with the community and learn what their priorities are,” said Natalie Shepp, environmental quality manager for Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ).

All of the sessions are free and open to the public.

To register for any of them, visit www.pima.gov/ClimatePlan.

University of Arizona

Environmental & Natural Resources Building 2 Tour

Saturday, March 29 · 9:30 - 11am 

An impressive combination of botanical and architectural expertise, the ENR2 building is unique. Designed to mimic the form of a slot canyon, it creates a set of microclimates for native and non-native plants. This tour will help you learn more about the many plants that thrive here and provide you with ideas for creating a green oasis in your own home and yard.

There are a limited number of spots available for this tour, so:

 reserve a spot soon.

Each person must be over the age of 12 and be individually registered. Only service animals allowed for this event.

Location: 1064 East Lowell Street Tucson

Food Waste

Prevention Week

April 7th - 13th

In our January 16th newsletter, we shared the benefits of food waste recycling as well as ways to act locally.

In this newsletter we are pleased announce the national effort being put forth by communities throughout the USA and around the world, during Food Waste Prevention Week running from April 7th – 13th.

This effort represents a variety of stakeholders across the food, business, government, and environmental education sectors that share a passion for reducing food waste to address food insecurity in our communities, save families money, and support a healthier environment. 

After a successful inaugural year in 2021 they now boast more than 750 partners across 49 states (and 22 countries!) all dedicated to the mission to educate and inspire real cultural change to reduce wasted food.

Click here to learn more. Make sure to follow next week's newsletter for ways to join this important effort.

In the meantime, let’s get an early start. Click HERE to find out whether you should “Eat or Toss? Is it OK to eat? Find peace of mind. Avoid wasting food. A great resource.

Climate Community Day at Pima Community College

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Pima Community College (PCC) invites you to Climate Community Day on April 8, 2025, at the Downtown Campus.

This event features engaging sessions on climate action and sustainability, including an opening session with Arizona Youth Climate Coalition, an afternoon keynote by Alison Hawthorne Deming, a community organization lunch fair, and a Career Panel featuring local businesses and innovators.

Attendees will explore PCC's efforts in sustainability, connect with community partners, and discover ways to get involved in climate solutions.

Make sure to stop by the Living Desert Alliance table to meet our leadership and learn ways to become involved in community environmental efforts.

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
• Time: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
• Location: PCC Downtown Campus, Amethyst Room
• Cost: Free and open to all.
• RSVP: Not required.

Major Downtown Tucson Rally Planned!

Saturday, May 3rd from 2 to 4 pm

Mark Your Calendars

Save the Scenic Santa Ritas (SSSR) invites you to join them, along with numerous southern Arizona environmental organizations, community leaders, and concerned citizens to oppose the Copper World Mine open pit mine.

The rally will take place on Saturday, May 3rd from 2 to 4 pm at Tucson Federal Building near Congress/Granada. Prominent local leaders, including Adelita Grijalva and Kevin Dahl, have confirmed speaking appearances along with representatives from environmental groups, indigenous peoples, and affected citizens.

Visit the SSSR Facebook Page to learn more and stay up to date on this important event.

Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum

Beat Back Buffalo Grass and Stinknet

Join the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum (ASDM) and volunteer to combat invasive plants such as buffelgrass, stinknet and arundo.

Buffelgrass out-competes saguaros for space, nutrients and water. It also poses a serious fire risk both in the desert and in our city. Join others in their efforts to combat this weed. There will be live Desert Museum animals, tasty pastries and more…

Click here for links to multiple invasive plant removal events.

Click here to learn Stinknet from Stinket.org, a community of volunteers working in tandem with the ASDM to fight and stop the spread of this weed.