PCC Axes

Sustainability Office

A Concerning Step Backward

for Students and Our Community

Last week, Pima Community College (PCC) abruptly eliminated its entire Office of Sustainability, dissolved the sustainability budget, and formally “concluded” its Climate Action & Sustainability Plan. The Director of Sustainability position has also been eliminated.

PCC’s sustainability program stood as a model of student engagement, hands‑on learning, and community partnership and filled a critical gap in preparing students for rapidly expanding environmentally conscious careers and reflected PCC’s stated values of stewardship and innovation.

Yet under new leadership, these efforts were abruptly halted. The timing of these decisions appears to coincide with PCC’s acceptance of a $5.9 million donation from Beale Construction— with the apparent intention to develop an AI‑focused curriculum. This is the same deep‑pocketed entity pushing aggressively to build multiple data centers across Arizona, including in Pima County, despite significant community and agency pushback. While PCC has not publicly linked the donation to the dismantling of sustainability programs, the overlap raises serious concerns about donor influence and shifting institutional priorities.

Adding to this concern, PCC is preparing to ask voters to approve a $250 million bond, with no sustainability funding identified in the spending plan known to internal contacts. Eliminating a successful, student‑supported program while seeking major public investment demands scrutiny and accountability.

A critical PCC Governing Board meeting will be held June 10th. We urge community members and leaders who care about transparency, responsible leadership, and the future of sustainability education to comment and/or attend.

PCC June 10th Meeting Information and Guidelines

Meeting Location: 4905 E. Broadway Blvd., Room C105. Members of the public interested in following the proceedings virtually may do so by going to the PCCTV YouTube homepage. The PCC Governing Board will accept public comment during Call to Audience in person, via Zoom, or telephone. Written public comments must be submitted a day in advance by email at pcc-boardstaff@pima.edu. Register for the Zoom Meeting here.

Make your voice heard. Ask that the sustainability program be re-instated.

Our desert and our community deserve better.

WMG Presents

Sacred Waters Speaking ...

Are We Listening?

Tuesday June 16th,12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

Join Watershed Management Group for a thought-provoking webinar on the critical state of the Colorado River, led by Agent of Change in Environmental Justice Fellows Kevin Patterson and Valerisa (Val) Gaddy, Watershed's own Community Conservation Program Director.

Explore the changes that happen when we move from viewing water as a resource to recognizing it as a relative. How understanding the personhood of rivers, might change our perspectives and support a more sustainable future for all?

This webinar promises to be informative, reflective, and inspiring—an opportunity to deepen your understanding of water, place, and responsibility.

Register here for this meaningful and transformative event.

Save the Scenic Santa Ritas Have Been Busy!

... and they’re not stopping!!!

Save the Scenic Santa Ritas have been working nonstop to protect the Santa Rita Mountains from the devastating damage that will occur if the Hudbay open pit mine should fully develop and their efforts have only intensified.

Recent Actions

• Apr. 30: Filed a lawsuit (Apr 30) challenging the state’s illegal change of the Copper World land‑auction location and recorded a lien on the 160 acres.
• May 11: Filed a Court of Appeals action to void the land sale due to an invalid appraisal and missing suitability review.
• May 11: Addressed the Sahuarita Town Council on the Town’s failure to enforce its 2013 groundwater agreement and raised concerns about the Mayor’s appearance in a Copper World endorsement ad.
• May 12: Presented in Quail Creek on groundwater threats, heavy‑truck impacts, and Hudbay’s human‑rights record.
• May 15: Ran a full‑page Capitol Times ad urging Arizona to shed its “Copper Collar.”
• May 16: Published a Green Valley News column detailing Hudbay’s groundwater violations.

And that’s not the end of it…

They're informing Sahuarita voters ahead of the July 21 council election, running public‑media ads to raise awareness, and preparing additional litigation on Copper World’s air‑pollution permit and tailings‑pipeline right‑of‑way.

Cheers to the Save the Scenic Santa Ritas leadership and volunteers—relentlessly defending our mountains, water, and community.

Working to Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving.



Click here for more details about their on-going efforts and learn how you can help!

Photo azluminaria

Summer is for the Birds — Literally!

Sabino Canyon comes alive each summer with feathered visitors you won’t see any other time of year. Join the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists for a relaxed 2.5‑hour stroll along dirt paths and paved roads as they explore the sights, sounds, and quirky habits of the Canyon’s summer birds.

This walk is perfect for beginners (they even provide loaner binoculars), but seasoned birders can also pick up some desert specialties for their life list.

Participants meet bright and early at 6:30am on the 1st and 3rd Sundays through September, right in front of the Visitor Center. No registration, no fee — just bring water, sun protection, and closed‑toe shoes. Kids under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

A perfect way to start a summer morning. Click here for more details

Kids’ Corner Part 4

More Recycling Facts That

Will Blow Your Kids’ Minds!

For several weeks we've shared recycling facts guaranteed to blow your kid’s mind. Below are five additional sustainability tips (16 – 20) centered around Food and Waste Wisdom.

Test your kids' knowledge, and yours, by asking these five facts during mealtime, in-between commercials while watching TV, or just before bedtime. See what they have to say, then give the correct answer. If they get it right, give them a high five and a pat on the back. They deserve it.

Food and Waste Wisdom

Fact 16: Americans waste 40% of all food produced—that's 80 billion pounds annually.

Fact 17: Composting food scraps can reduce household waste by 30%.

Fact 18: It takes 1,847 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef, but only 39 gallons for one pound of vegetables.

Fact 19: A banana peel takes 3-5 weeks to decompose, but a plastic bag takes 500-1,000 years.

Fact 20: Wasted food in America could feed 3 billion people.

Sharing these sustainability facts empowers kids to understand

and act on real-world environmental challenges. More next week!