Northern Jaguar Project Premieres Eye‑Opening Borderlands Jaguar Documentary

Sunday, October 25, 2026

2:00–4:00 p.m. Warden Oasis Theater,

Arizona‑Sonora Desert Museum

The Northern Jaguar Project presents a special documentary screening and Q&A hosted by Border Community Alliance and the Arizona‑Sonora Desert Museum.

Borderlands Jaguar is a thrilling 52‑minute film that follows photographers Austin Alvarado and Ben Masters as they work to document one of the most elusive species in the Southwest. Their journey highlights the importance of protecting wildlife corridors along the U.S.–Mexico border.

With support from a legendary Arizona houndsman and scientists from the Northern Jaguar Project, the film tells the remarkable story of Libuéla, a twelve‑year‑old female jaguar, her cubs, and the vital role of connected landscapes in securing their future — and ours.

This exciting and educational event invites you to experience the wonder of a creature found nowhere else in the United States and to understand why safeguarding its habitat matters so deeply. It’s a powerful reminder of what’s at stake — and what can still be protected.

Event is FREE with Desert Museum admission.

Click here for more information and

watch the official Boarderlands Jaguar Trailer

Help Close Old Mines in Tucson Mountain Park

 Saturday, October 17

7:30–11:30 AM

Historic mining exploration left dozens of open pits scattered across Tucson Mountain Park. These abandoned holes pose serious risks — they trap and kill wildlife such as reptiles, mammals, and birds, and they create dangerous conditions for hikers and other park visitors. Last season, volunteers closed 15 of these features by hand, and now they are gearing up to continue the work.

Volunteers will help fill and secure old mine holes using shovels, picks, and rock. The tasks are straightforward but physically demanding: digging, bending, and hauling material on uneven, rocky ground. If you’re unable to assist, please share this event with family and friends. It’s a meaningful opportunity for adult children and grandchildren to learn about this important effort while working alongside seasoned volunteers.

Make sure to wear sturdy closed‑toe boots, long pants, and long sleeves. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen. Pima County will provide tools, gloves, dust masks, and refreshments, though you’re welcome to bring your own gear.

Volunteers will meet at a designated site in Tucson Mountain Park at 7:00 AM; details will be provided to those who RSVP.

This project is a partnership between Pima County Conservation Lands and Resources, the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, and the Tucson Herpetological Society. Every pit closed, protects wildlife and makes the park safer for everyone.

Contact Brian Powell for more information and to RSVP

Help Desert Fence Busters Remove Outdated & Dangerous Barbed Wire Fences

October 23 from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Get your gloves and wire cutters ready! You’ll be helping the Desert Fence Busters remove outdated and dangerous barbed‑wire fencing so wildlife can move safely and freely across the landscape. Organizers will provide all necessary tools, along with coffee, snacks, water, and Gatorade during breaks. They ask that you bring a reusable water bottle and coffee cup, and they recommend packing a lunch.

Can’t help out yourself? Share this information with your friends and loved ones. It’s also a meaningful opportunity for your adult children and grandchildren to learn why removing these environmental hazards matters — and to help create a safer landscape for all wildlife.

Click here to RSVP

and find additional details and dates for the 2026-2027 Season

Want to learn more about the Desert Fence Busters?

Check out this summary of their accomplishments since 2021.

Speaker Series II

Voices from Across Our Community  

Tuesday night's Speaker Series Event was a lively and inspiring evening with Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson, who shared powerful insights from his work as a Hopi dry farmer and environmental scholar.

Attendees learned how traditional practices — like fitting crops to the environment, clumping plants to retain soil moisture, and using place‑based adaptive management — continue to shape resilient food systems today. Dr.

Johnson reminded us that caring for the land is ultimately an act of hope, and he highlighted programs such as the Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program, as well as resources like Caring for Our Land and the “One Seed, One Child” initiative.

Everyone had a wonderful time learning, asking questions, and connecting with like‑minded community members.

See You at the

Tucson Meet Yourself

Folklife Festival

Starts Tomorrow:

October 16th - 18th,

Jácome Plaza , 101 N Stone Avenue Tucson

The Annual Tucson Meet Yourself (TMY) Folklife Festival is back downtown, celebrating the traditions, flavors, music, and stories that make our region so vibrant.

Produced by the Southwest Folklife Alliance, TMY is a free, three‑day festival where more than 500 artists, cooks, dancers, musicians, and tradition‑bearers share the everyday cultural practices that define their communities.



This year, the Living Desert Alliance leadership will be enjoying the festival and meeting neighbors at Space C78a, located in the new Smithsonia Of the People Village — in the parking lot off Pennington, across from City High School. We’ll be there sharing our mission to Keep our Desert and our Community Livable and Thriving.

Come say hello, join the fun, and celebrate the incredible cultural richness of Tucson. See you there!

DON'T LET CAMPAIGN NOISE DECIDE YOUR VOTE

In this sea of campaign noise,

how can we prepare for a trip to the ballot box?

This linked opinion piece by Thomas Wiewandt—award‑winning independent educational media producer, owner of Wild Horizons Productions, and LDA member—offers a clear, thoughtful guide. Wiewandt encourages voters to take a broad, well‑informed view of the upcoming elections, noting that many people focus on single issues and miss the larger picture shaping Arizona’s long‑term future.

He cautions against relying on social media or campaign rhetoric, where facts and opinions often blur. Instead, he points readers to reputable, nonpartisan organizations that analyze candidate backgrounds, records, and policy positions.

The link provides easy‑to‑navigate tools to help voters cut through campaign noise and make thoughtful, informed decisions at the ballot box that help Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving.

Check it out and forward to family and friends. They'll be glad you did!

Help Keep our Desert and Community

Livable and Thriving

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