Rosemont/Barrel Canyon

BioBlitz 2025

Updated Report

A special thanks to all who supported the Rosemont/Barrel Canyon BioBlitz on March 23rd!

A fantastic group of enthusiasts and experts showed up for the event. Final tally was 43 participants with 523 observations registered in iNaturalist!

Below is a link to the updated report by Dave DeGroot followed by a snapshot graph of the results. As you review the report, you will find links to each species directing you to detailed information and photographs.

Having a catalog of what we stand to lose should the mine proceed is a valuable tool in the arsenal to stop this open pit mine from happening. Equally valuable is the camaraderie and passion shown by each participant who attended and all the work it took to produce this amazing document.

NOTE: This information is being reviewed and updated as needed. If you find any errors or corrections or just want to say thanks for all the hard work, you are encouraged to email Dave DeGroot at SouthArizonaDave@Gmail.com.

UPDATE:

Sahuarita Community Meeting

Last Saturday, over 300 residents gathered in Sahuarita to hear the latest Copper World developments and learn how to get organized!

Save the Scenic Santa Ritas (SSSR) joined forces with the Corona de Tucson Preservation Alliance for a Community Meeting in Sahuarita. The event featured speakers providing the latest information on the Copper World mining project in the Santa Rita mountains and its potential impacts. Attendees asked questions and learned from presenters how they can take action to challenge this project.



Click here to view the event recording.

Here's how you can voice your objections!

• Visit stopcopperworld.com learn how you can take action.
• Mark your calendars to join SSSR and their supporters for a Rally for the Santa Ritas on Saturday, May 3rd at 2-4 pm.
• Write letters to your elected officials.

Let's Have Some Fun!

Tres Rios Water Reclamation

Facility Tour



Next Wed, April 23rd. 9am-2pm

7101 N Casa Grande Hwy

Tucson, AZ 85743

Join the Living Desert Alliance leadership, members of the Watershed Management Group, and other community members, on a fascinating and educational tour focusing on the science and technology behind wastewater treatment being performed at this facility for the protection of our community.

The Tres Ríos Water Reclamation Facility serves metropolitan Tucson and treats approximately 30 million gallons of wastewater per day (MGD).

If you are planning to attend, please complete the

Tour Participant Waiver.

You can bring it with you or email the completed copy to Erika.Swan@pima.gov

Bird-Safe Windows

Along the

Santa Cruz

Decals Designed to Prevent Bird Strikes

Offered at NO CHARGE!

Tucson Bird Alliance (TBA) is offering a fantastic opportunity to protect local wildlife along the central Tucson stretch of the Santa Cruz River (from Irvington to Speedway), by offering windows decals designed to prevent bird strikes.

The best part? Installation and the decals are entirely free.

These decals are not only effective but also long-lasting (over 15 years) and window-wash friendly! Take a look at an example of a treated window here.

To participate, simply fill out their form to express your interest. Installations will be carried out on a rolling basis, so sign up today to help make your community safer for birds!

Note: TBA's offer includes two windows in an average size home located on the first story only.

Questions? Please email project coordinator Olya Weekley, at oweekley@tucsonaudubon.org

Santa Cruz Watershed Collaborative

Working to ensure a natural heritage of healthy urban watershed with flowing rivers and creeks

The Santa Cruz Watershed Collaborative (SCWC) partnership was launched in 2017 and represents over forty organizations and agencies working on water and watershed issues in the greater Tucson portion of the Santa Cruz River watershed. 

These organizations have partnered to support the goals of the SCWC and work together to invest in the management of land or water resources, have subject matter expertise, or represent community interests related to watershed health.

Click here to learn more about this collaborative effort to protect the Santa Cruz River.



Tucson Verde Rotary Home Tour

Sunday, April 27, 2025 10:00am to 2:00pm

Tickets: $25.00

Enjoy the day visiting different locations and homes throughout Tucson displaying environmental features focused on sustainability. A great opportunity to meet new people and learn how to make a better tomorrow for our community.

Stops include:

• Off the grid home highlighting passive solar, water harvesting, and a cooling tower
• 43-acre earth friendly mud adobe cohousing community in the desert
• Urban all-electric infill in the Mercado with sustainable building examples
• Santa Rosa Barrio eclectic modern build with a 1911 art studio renovation and a fun courtyard
• 7,000 sq. ft. Barrio Viejo urban infill home built in 2003 with an old soul feel.
• Transformation of a 1929 garage to artist studio with water harvesting in Iron Horse
• Backyard infill and award-winning ADU in midtown
• Watershed Management Group's Living Lab tour to engage, learn, and share.

Click here to learn more about this

exciting tour and purchase tickets.

Major Downtown Tucson Save the Santa Ritas Rally

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 the Tucson Federal Building, 300 W Congress St.

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-Sonora Desert Museum

SAVE OUR SAGUAROS!

Beat Back Buffalograss and Stinknet

Join the Arizona-Sonora 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.

Next event:

Catalina State Park Buffelgrass Dig

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Time: 8 am- 12 pm

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.

Pima County Seeks Community’s Input

on Climate Plan

Series of public input sessions April through June 2025

Pima County and its coalition partners are 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. See our March 27th newsletter for additional details.

All sessions are free and open to the public.

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