Living Desert Alliance

Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving

September 10, 2026 Having trouble viewing this newsletter? View as Webpage

Community Pushback Stalls Copper World Open Pit Mine

County and Voters Reject Copper World!

Hudbay Minerals has delayed its decision on whether to build the Copper World mine, in and around the beautiful Santa Rita Mountains, pushing its feasibility study from summer to the fourth quarter. The delay comes as Save the Scenic Santa Ritas (SSSR) and Pima County raise serious concerns about the project’s environmental and public‑health risks.

SSSR’s legal strategy is adding major uncertainty for Hudbay. Three lawsuits remain active: one challenging the sale of 160 acres of State Trust Land needed for mine tailings, one seeking a stricter air‑quality permit that would require EPA oversight, and one contesting a right‑of‑way for a tailings pipeline through the Santa Rita Experimental Range.

Pima County has also warned Hudbay and its investors about “unresolved risks,” including the company’s lack of Central Arizona Project water to replace groundwater pumping, severe harm to wildlife and water resources from excavating the Rosemont pit, and threats to public health from air and water pollution.

Public opinion reflects these concerns: a July poll shows nearly two‑thirds of Pima County voters oppose Copper World.

To help the community learn more, SSSR will host two fall Town Halls—an October overview and a November session focused on water impacts.

Click here for the complete SSSR report

and learn ways you can stop this disastrous project.

Help Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving.

Arizona Expands River Protections

Upper Verde River gains

OAW Status

Arizona has taken an important step to protect some of our cleanest rivers. The Governor’s Regulatory Review Council approved a plan to give Outstanding Arizona Waters (OAW) status to the Upper Verde River and parts of Sycamore Creek. This is the highest level of surface‑water protection in the state, and the proposal now moves to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for final review.

If approved, the designation will provide Tier 3 antidegradation protection to nearly 48 miles of river and creek. Tier 3 status prevents any decline in current water quality and helps safeguard wildlife habitat, threatened species, and recreation.

The proposal was originally submitted by the Sierra Club and underwent scientific and public review before approval. Arizona currently has 22 OAWs; this action would raise the total to 24.

Click here to read the full ADEQ press release.

Photo: Important Bird Areas (IBA)

Attention Educators &

High School Students

Fresh Air Learning Takes Off!

Developing the next generation of clean‑air champions!

The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) and the University of Arizona are rolling out an exciting new free air‑quality curriculum for high school students.

The program lets teens explore real‑time air pollution data collected from sensors placed at schools across the county. Instead of using fake or pre‑made datasets, students get to analyze actual local air‑quality readings, compare neighborhoods, spot trends, and see how pollution affects health and the environment.

Developed through the Expanding Air Quality Monitoring at Pima County Schools to Address Environmental Justice project the curriculum includes seven hands‑on lessons aligned with Arizona science standards and National Health Education standards. Students dive into topics like environmental justice, community science, and data analysis using the SUNSET dashboard—an interactive tool that shows pollution levels across Pima County.

Developed by PDEQ, University of Arizona researchers, educators, and student interns, the curriculum was carefully reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom usability. Teachers also get a free educator toolkit with videos and lesson guides.

The program will be shared with school districts during the 2026–2027 school year and is available by request on the PDEQ website.

This new curriculum makes science real, local, and exciting—giving students the power to understand and improve the air they breathe.

For more information, contact Natalie Shepp at natalie.shepp@pima.gov.

Now for Some Fun

Jaguar Tales: Special History Edition

TODAY!!! Sept. 10 • 6 PM

No registration needed. Just click the link.

This month’s Jaguar Tales brings a special history‑focused edition. They’re diving into the origins of the Northern Jaguar Project (NJP): how it began, who founded it, and what led to the protection of the northernmost jaguar population in the Americas.

Their guest is Dr. Carlos López González, NJP founder, board member, and one of the leading jaguar researchers in the world. Dr. López González has spent decades studying and protecting large mammals across Mexico. His work includes major conservation wins — from jaguar recovery efforts to Mexican gray wolf reintroduction and pronghorn translocation. He has published widely, mentored dozens of graduate students, and secured millions in conservation funding.

This is a rare chance to hear directly from the scientist whose early jaguar research helped launch a binational recovery strategy and shaped NJP’s mission today.

Join them online for an inspiring look at the past, present, and future of jaguar conservation.

Green Drinks Tucson

An evening of

Art, Community, Action!

Join Green Drinks Tucson on Thursday, September 17, from 6–9 PM at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), 265 South Church Avenue, Tucson, for a meetup packed with energy, creativity, and community spirit.

Come celebrate Latino Conservation Week and MOCA’s Living With Injury closing reception—all during MOCA’s Free Third Thursday.

This is your chance to connect with Tucsonans who care about clean air, healthy water, and a thriving Sonoran Desert. Expect a fun, informal night filled with great conversations, free food, free drinks, and amazing contemporary art. It’s the perfect mix of environmental action and cultural celebration.

Bring friends, meet new people, and help grow a movement for a cleaner, healthier Tucson.

For accessibility questions, contact XalishaX@arizona.edu.

WMG’s

8th Annual BeaverFest 2026

Tuesday, September 22nd

5:30–8:30 PM

Join Watershed Management Group for BeaverFest 2026, a family‑friendly celebration of beavers, rivers, and restoration work inspired by their Beavers & Brews tradition.

This year’s event is designed for kids and adults of all ages, with beaver‑themed entertainment, games, learning activities, food, drinks, and special BeaverFest merchandise.

You’ll hear about the major progress Watershed Management Group and their partners have made through the Release the Beavers campaign—and learn how you can help restore wetlands across the region.

Enjoy dinner, non‑alcoholic drinks and beaver‑themed cocktails.

BeaverFest takes place at Watershed’s hydro‑local Living Lab, making it the perfect night to bring family, friends, and neighbors together to grow their beaver‑believer community.

Click here to register and for ticket information.

Reminders

ADEQ Recycling Grants

Powering New Recycling Innovation

As reported in our August 13th newsletter, Arizona’s recycling efforts are accelerating as ADEQ’s renewed FY2027 Recycling Grant Program offers $1 million for projects that cut landfill waste and boost circular economy solutions. Last year’s grants diverted over one million pounds of waste, and new funding will support waste reduction, education, and research statewide.

Click here for more information. Applications are due Sept. 29 at 3 p.m.