Living Desert Alliance

Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving

July 16, 2026 Having trouble viewing this newsletter? View as Webpage

Speaker Series Reminder

Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson

Wednesday, August 5th • 6:00–7:00 PM

Oro Valley Public Library

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson for an inspiring look at how traditional dryland farming can guide resilient agriculture in the desert Southwest. Dr. Johnson blends culture, science, and lived experience to show how Indigenous food systems offer powerful lessons for thriving in arid environments.

Join us, invite your family and friends, for this free event and an evening of insight, hope, and community connection.

Doors open at 5:45pm. Presentation starts at 6:00pm.

RSVP

Primary Election

Next Tuesday, July 21st

Next Tuesday is Arizona's 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION. Your chance to make your voice heard.

Vote for the candidates that best represent you and

Keeps our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving.

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

For more information, contact the

Pima County Recorder's Office or

call 520-724-4330

Pima County Backs Tohono O’odham Nation in Defense of Tribal Lands

Pima County leaders and the Tohono O’odham Nation are standing firmly together against new federal plans to expand the border wall through tribal lands in southern Arizona. The project would cut across miles of the Nation’s ancestral territory, prompting tribal leaders to file a federal lawsuit to stop construction.

On Tuesday, July 14th, the Pima County Board of Supervisors strengthened that effort by approving a resolution—passing 4–1—formally supporting the Nation’s opposition. (Click this link and forward to 1:19:50 to hear resolution discussion.)

Tohono O’odham Chairman Verlon Jose told supervisors the action reinforces the fight to protect the Nation’s land, culture, and people, reflecting core Pima County values.

LDA deeply appreciates the Board of Supervisors for their brave, values‑driven action and honors the Tohono O’odham Nation’s unwavering diligence as it defends its land, culture, and sovereignty.

Click here to watch a three‑minute video, “No Wall on Tohono O’odham Nation,” featuring Chairman Verlon M. Jose and Vice Chairwoman Carla L. Johnson as they explain the Nation’s reasons for filing suit against the Department of Homeland Security.

Where Solar Meets Wildlife

Burrowing Owls Find

Safe Harbor in the Desert

At the Sun Streams solar farm west of Buckeye, renewable energy and wildlife conservation are working hand‑in‑hand. Longroad Energy and the nonprofit Wild at Heart have relocated displaced burrowing owls into a network of artificial burrows monitored around the clock. Early research shows the open layout of solar arrays may actually help the owls, offering clear views for spotting predators and attracting insect prey.

This model is highly relevant to Pima County, where burrowing owls face similar pressures from rapid development and shrinking burrow availability. Tucson, Marana, and Avra Valley all support active relocation programs, artificial burrow installations, and native‑plant restoration — the same strategies used at Sun Streams. Local agencies and nonprofits participate in the Arizona Burrowing Owl Working Group, which guides developers on protecting owls during construction.

Nearby, the Mesquite Wildlife Oasis is being restored with native grasses and flowering plants to strengthen the food web and support relocated owls — a habitat‑building approach mirrored in southern Arizona.

The Sun Streams project shows that development and conservation can coexist when wildlife needs are built in from the start.

This story was shared with us by our partners at Great Old Broads for Wilderness, a women-led organization, bringing knowledge, leadership, and humor to the conservation movement to protect our last wild places on earth.

Read the full Cronkite News article: How burrowing owls find safe harbor at a different kind of farm.

Photo: Free Images.com

Go Batty at the Rillito with WMG’s

River Run Network!

Wednesday, July 22 • 6:30–8:30 PM

Get ready for an evening of desert magic! Watershed Management Group’s River Run Network invites you and your family to the Rillito River to witness one of Tucson’s most spectacular summer sights—our local bats taking flight at dusk.

This free, family‑friendly outing begins with hands‑on exploration at Tucson Village Farm’s charming “Little Farm,” where kids and adults alike can enjoy fun activities that connect our food, our rivers, and our wildlife. Then bat expert Debbie Buecher will share fascinating insights into the incredible world of these nocturnal pollinators.

As the sun sets, you'll head down into the creek to watch hundreds of bats swoop into the evening sky in search of insects, water, and nectar. Our rivers and riparian corridors are essential habitat for these nighttime neighbors, supporting their role as pollinators and insect‑eaters that help keep our desert ecosystem thriving.

Register here, then bring your family and friends to experience this unforgettable group flight and learn how healthy creeks and rivers support the wildlife that makes our desert so extraordinary. It’s educational, exciting, and a perfect summer adventure for all ages.

Reminders

Order Your

STOP I‑11 Yard Sign

Our Desert Needs Every Voice!

The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection has launched a major STOP I‑11 yard‑sign effort to boost community visibility ahead of the upcoming federal Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Once the comment period opens, our region’s voice will be critical to protecting wildlife corridors and open space.

Yard signs—free and available across Tucson and Picture Rocks—help show broad opposition. Pickup instructions will be emailed with each request along with ways you can donate to support this effort.

Your yard sign is a visible stand for the future of our desert home.