Potential Threats Against Ironwood Forest National Monument

The Living Desert Alliance along with The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, Friends of the Ironwood Forest and all partners in public land and connectivity conservation are monitoring potential threats by the Administration against six national monuments and their protected lands — including threats against Ironwood Forest National Monument.

News outlets quoted Interior Secretary Doug Burgum as saying, “We’ll go through a thorough review,” but added, “this is not a top priority for the administration.”

His comments came after The Washington Post reported that department aides are considering shrinking at least six national monuments across Arizona, California, New Mexico and Utah to include: 

• Ironwood Forest National Monument
• Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints/Grand Canyon
• Chuckwalla National Monument
• Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks
• Bears Ears National Monument
• Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument

While this may "... not be a top priority for the Administration," it IS a top priority for the Living Desert Alliance and our partners. LDA will keep our members updated as these potential threats develop, including methods to voice concerns and opposition to government officials. Even the ones who feel they are above the law!

NOTE: The above photo is titled Ragged Top & Saguaro Forest,

Ironwood Forest National Monument by Bob Wick, BLM, 2016.

Join LDA for the

Airline Lambert Water Treatment Facility Tour

May 14th at 10:00am



Join the Living Desert Alliance leadership on a tour of Marana's new Airline Lambert Treatment Facility located at 9355 W Lambert Lane, Marana.

Johnny Ray Arvizu, Chief Water Quality Operator and Andrew Bahr, Water Quality Specialist, will lead participants though the facility explaining its operation and the many processes required to treat an average one million gallons of water a day bringing Marana's municipal water up to EPA particulate water standards.

Click here to learn more from a recently updated Tucson Local Media report.

Click here to learn more about Marana’s water quality management.

See you there!

Free Screening of Award-Winning Documentary

"Common Ground"

Sunday, May 18th 2:00pm-4:30pm

First Christian Church

740 E. Speedway Blvd. Tucson, Az 85719

Arizona Interfaith Power and Light, along with Living Desert Alliance, is co-sponsoring a FREE screening of the award-winning documentary Common Ground by the makers of Kiss the Ground.

These films are a groundbreaking examination of how the industrial food system can be converted to regenerative agriculture to help heal the soil and the climate, while providing healthier food and conserving water. 

Click here to review the informational flyer in detail.

Please forward to family and friends and your newsletters and/or social media sites. Spread the word about this informative & important event.

Wildlife Will Soon Move Safley Under I-10!

A new wildlife corridor between the Tucson and Tortolita will give wildlife a safer route to navigate beneath Interstate 10.

The Santa Cruz River Wildlife Ramp, part of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, is expected to be completed by June and will serve as a bustling freeway for desert animals to move safely — without darting across Interstate 10. 

The ramp is located between Twin Peaks Road and West Avra Valley Road, adjacent to the El Rio Preserve and an abandoned underpass at I-10.

A wildlife fence will funnel animals to the ramp, ensuring its use. It is the first phase of a wildlife corridor in the area.

This project, led by Pima County, will provide:

• Wildlife Ramp Crossing
• Pedestrian Bridge 
• Soil Cement
• Landscaping Restoration
• Wildlife Fencing

Click here to learn additional details about this Pima County directed project.



Click here to read the April 17^th news article by Kyra Berg, University of Arizona School of Journalism student working with Arizona Luminaria.

Hundreds Gather in Downtown Tucson to Oppose Copper World

On Saturday, May 3rd, over 300 people gathered outside the Federal Building in downtown Tucson in a public display of solidarity.

The Rally for the Santa Ritas unified residents, environmental advocates, and regional leaders in a powerful demonstration of opposition to the proposed Copper World mining project and the broader threats posed by the unchecked power of the mining industry in Arizona.

A special thanks to members of the Living Desert Alliance and all participants who braved a hot day to gather in unison to voice their opposition to this disastrous project. This is how we make our voices heard!

Click here to learn more about this powerful event including speakers, news outlet reports, and photos from the leading organizers, Save the Scenic Santa Ritas.

Volunteers Needed to Care for the Tanque Verde Creek

Watershed Management Group is looking for volunteers to participate in the upcoming Thursday or Saturday morning restoration workshops. 

Rise and shine and care for the creek by removing invasive Arundo with their team to restore flows and the riparian forest.

Just 5 workshops remain before they take a break for the summer!

Sign up today by clicking on one of the dates below:

• Thursday, May 8th @ 8am - 11am
• Saturday, May 10th @ 7:30am - 10:30am
• Saturday, May 17th @ 7:30am - 10:30am
• Saturday, May 24th @ 7:30am - 10:30am
• Last Day: Saturday, May 31st @ 7:30am - 10:30am

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

SAVE OUR SAGUAROS!

Beat Back Buffalograss and Stinknet

Join the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM) and volunteer to combat invasive plants such as buffelgrass, stinknet and arundo.

Buffelgrass out-competes saguaros for space, nutrients and water. It also poses a serious fire risk both in the desert and in our city. Join others in their efforts to combat this weed. There will be live Desert Museum animals, tasty pastries and more.

Click here for links to multiple invasive plant removal events.

Click here to learn Stinknet from Stinket.org, a community of volunteers working in tandem with the ASDM to fight and stop the spread of this weed.

Pima County Seeks Community’s Input

on Climate Plan

Series of public input sessions April through June 2025

Pima County and its coalition partners are holding a series of public sessions beginning April 3rd and running through the end of June, with each one dedicated to focusing on reduction measures for greenhouse gas emissions from seven different sectors. See our March 27th newsletter for additional details.

All sessions are free and open to the public.

To register for any of them, visit: www.pima.gov/ClimatePlan.