Reid Park Zoo

Jaguar Conservation:

 Protecting a Species on the Brink



Reid Park Zoo, Living Desert Alliance's newest community partner, is a proud supporter of two vital jaguar conservation programs in Sonora, Mexico—home to the northernmost jaguars on Earth. Fewer than 200 jaguars are believed to remain in northern Mexico and the U.S.–Mexico borderlands, making this region essential to the species’ long‑term survival. Your visits to the Zoo directly support these efforts and help ensure jaguars continue to roam the Southwest.

La Tierra del Jaguar works hand‑in‑hand with local communities to restore degraded landscapes and create healthy, connected habitat for jaguars. By promoting regenerative farming, improving soil and water systems, and diversifying income for rural families, La Tierra reduces conflict between people and wildlife. Their model ties economic stability to ecological health—empowering communities to become active stewards of jaguar territory. Healthy land means healthy prey, safe corridors, and a future where jaguars and people can thrive together.

The Northern Jaguar Project (NJP) protects the world’s northernmost jaguar population through the 56,000‑acre Northern Jaguar Preserve. This rugged, remote landscape shelters jaguars, ocelots, mountain lions, and countless other species. NJP partners with ranchers and local residents through wildlife‑camera incentive programs that build appreciation for these elusive cats and reduce retaliatory killings. As a keystone and umbrella species, protecting jaguars safeguards entire ecosystems.

Together, these programs address the most urgent threats jaguars face—habitat loss, human conflict, and shrinking genetic diversity. Supporting this work is not just conservation; it is a commitment to keeping jaguars on the landscape for generations to come.



As mentioned earlier, your visits to the Zoo directly support these efforts and help ensure jaguars continue to roam the Southwest. Stop by for a visit soon!

Kids’ Corner

Recycling Facts That

Will Blow Your Kids’ Minds!

Here are a few recycling facts offered by the Kubrio website you can share with the kids in your life, even those grown-ups out there that are kids at heart!

1. The Time‑Traveling Can: An aluminum can takes almost a century to disappear.

2. The Plastic Bottle Avalanche: Americans toss 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour. That’s enough to fill an entire football stadium every month.

3. The Magic Glass Bottle: Recycle one glass bottle and you save enough energy to keep a light bulb glowing for 4 hours.

4. The Paper Shrink Trick: Paper can only be recycled 5–7 times before its fibers get too tiny to reuse.

5. The Newspaper Superpower: If everyone in America recycled just one‑tenth of their newspapers, we’d save 25 million trees every year.

Sharing these sustainability facts empowers kids to understand

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

Mother’s Day Stewardship at Danny Lopez Park

Show Some Mother’s Day Love for Mother Earth!

Looking for a meaningful way to honor Mom? Join Tucson Clean and Beautiful this Sunday, May 10, from 7:00–9:00 AM at Danny Lopez Park for a morning of community care.

You’ll be working with other families removing invasive buffelgrass and stinknet,, picking up trash around the lake—helping this beloved neighborhood park stay healthy and beautiful.

This is a flat, easy site, perfect for beginners, families, and anyone who wants to start Mother’s Day with a little sunshine and service.

What to bring: • Long pants + long‑sleeve shirt • Sturdy closed‑toe shoes • Water + hat • Work gloves (if you have them).

Click here to learn more and to RSVP

Join Watershed Management Group’s Tanque Verde Creek Restoration!



Saturday, May 16th, 7:30 am to 10:30 am

Watershed Management Group welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to help revive our heritage of seasonal and year‑round flows.

The focus of this event is removing Arundo donax (giant reed)—an invasive plant that consumes 3–4 times more water than native species, crowds out habitat, and increases flood and wildfire risk. Clearing Arundo helps restore groundwater levels, surface flow, and the health of the creek’s riparian forest.

Since 2021, WMG volunteers have helped restore more than 60 acres by removing Arundo and planting native species. Your participation keeps this momentum growing and supports the long‑term recovery of Tanque Verde Creek.

Click here for more information and to register for this fun and educational event. Bring your friends and family too!