The Great Pacific Garbage Patch *** WMG Greywater Harvesting Class *** Reid Park Zoo: Last Chance Summer Camp ***

Living Desert Alliance

Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving

July 2, 2026 Having trouble viewing this newsletter? View as Webpage

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

A plastic trash nightmare!

Next time you visit your local grocery store, take a moment to look around. Almost everything comes in plastic now—row after row of single‑use containers. Bakery cookies that once came in a paper bag are sealed in hard plastic. Body soap that used to be boxed now sits in plastic shells. It’s overwhelming, and it’s everywhere.

To understand how all this plastic adds up across towns, states, and countries, consider a recent CNN article on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and how it contributes to airborne plastic pollution.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch—more than twice the size of Texas—sits between Hawaii and California. As the plastic inside it tumbles and breaks apart, it turns into tiny microplastics and nanoplastics that can be carried by the wind. Scientists found these particles absorb sunlight and warm the atmosphere. Dark and brightly colored plastics trap far more heat, and the smallest particles stay airborne longer. The study estimates that airborne plastics create about 16% as much warming as soot, a major pollutant.

This research is a reminder that plastic pollution doesn’t just harm oceans and wildlife—it also affects our air and climate. Reducing plastic waste is a shared journey, but small choices add up. If just 1 in 5 people switched to reusable shopping bags, we could keep 100 billion plastic bags out of the environment. Choosing a reusable water bottle can save about 156 plastic bottles per person each year. When more people, businesses, and communities recognize the urgency, real progress becomes possible.

Below is information on what you can do to help. Share this with your family and friends. Let’s see what we can do to Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving.

Turn Your Home into a Greywater Hero!

Attend a WMG In-Person

Greywater Harvesting Class

Thursday, July 9th, 5:00 to 7:00 pm

WGM Living Lab & Learning Center

1137 N Dodge Blvd, Tucson

Did you know your washing machine, shower, bathroom sink, and bathtub can do more than clean your clothes? They can help water your landscape! These everyday sources create “greywater,” and with a simple setup, you can reuse that water to support fruit trees, shrubs, and other thirsty plants. It’s a fun, sustainable way to boost your hydro‑local living.

The Watershed Management Group’s Greywater Workshop shows just how easy it is to turn household water into a desert‑friendly resource. This class meets Tucson Water’s Greywater Harvesting Rebate requirement and walks you through the rebate process while teaching you how to install your own Laundry‑to‑Landscape (L2L) system—an affordable, DIY‑friendly option.

In a single session, you’ll learn Arizona’s greywater guidelines, explore different system designs, discover why L2L is a favorite for beginners, and get hands‑on advice for planning, installing, and maintaining a simple, reliable setup.

This class satisfies Tucson Water’s Greywater Incentive educational requirement.

Tucson Symphony &

The University of Arizona School of Music Presents:

Sonoran Rivers:

A Celebration of Desert Water

A recent Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area newsletter invites you to experience the Santa Cruz River through music, storytelling, and photography.

Sonoran Rivers: A Celebration of Desert Water is an inspiring reminder of how deeply the Santa Cruz River shapes life in our desert. In this collaborative performance, the Tucson Symphony and UA School of Music weave ecology, culture, and history into an original composition performed by both professional and student musicians.

So, grab a cup of tea or your favorite coffee, sit back and enjoy this fifteen‑minute video as it illuminates the river’s past and present, offering a reflective and educational experience that stays with you. It’s a beautiful way to learn how water connects communities, landscapes, and traditions across the Sonoran Desert.

After watching, explore the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area website to discover more about their important work protecting our region’s natural and cultural heritage.

KID NEWS

Missed Summer Camp?

Reid Park Zoo

Has You Covered!

If summer camp slipped past you, don’t worry—Reid Park Zoo still has an exciting Zookeeper Mini‑Camp open for grades 6–8! This three‑hour adventure lets your child step into the world of a real zookeeper. They’ll go behind the scenes, make enrichment puzzles, watch animal training up close, and learn how keepers care for the amazing animals that call the zoo home.

Only the 6th–8th grade session on Friday, July 31 is still available, so check the registration link carefully for more information and pricing. Then grab a spot while you can. This half‑day camp runs from 9:00 a.m. to noon and does not include lunch.

A wild morning awaits!

Important Primary Election Action Dates

Next Friday, July 10:

Last day to request Mail Ballot.

Tuesday, July 21st is Arizona's 2026 Primary Election. Your chance to make your voice heard by voting for the candidates that best represent you. VOTE!

Here are some important dates to remember.