Hudbay's Copper World Open-Pit Mine

Moves Forward

Outside Corporations Determined to Override

the Voice of a Community

Despite strong public opposition, Hudbay Minerals and Mitsubishi Corporation have approved the final investment decision for Arizona's massive Copper World project in the beautiful Sant Rita Mountains southeast of Tucson. Nearly two-thirds of Pima County voters oppose the mine, and multiple lawsuits have been filed challenging the project because of its expected environmental and community impacts. Yet both companies moved forward, largely ignoring the concerns raised by local residents, conservation groups, and community leaders.

The Copper World project, expected to begin production in 2029, would cover about 4,500 acres in the Santa Rita Mountains. The open-pit mine will permanently alter the landscape, destroy wildlife habitat, increase air pollution, generate toxic mine waste, and consume large amounts of groundwater, threatening nearby rivers, streams, and desert ecosystems.

The Living Desert Alliance strongly opposes this project, viewing it as an example of outside interests buying up private land and, over time, overriding the rights, voices, and values of the local community.

Click here to learn more from Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, a grassroots organization dedicated to protecting the Santa Rita Mountains and opposing the Copper World project. Through advocacy, public education, and legal action, this organization has played a leading role in defending the region's natural resources, scenic beauty, and the interests of the communities that call Southern Arizona home.

Photo: Free image and example of an open pit mine from Jooinn.com

Watershed Management Group

Flow365 Monitoring Team

Ready to explore Tucson’s creeks and rivers in a whole new way? Join WMG’s Flow365 Monitoring Team and become part of a year‑round community science adventure! Flow365 volunteers head out into our local waterways to track when and where water is flowing — and along the way, they record sightings of the plants and animals that call our riparian habitats home.

This one‑of‑a‑kind dataset helps restore Tucson’s heritage of flowing rivers, guides climate adaptation, and supports long‑term planning for a growing population and increasing water demands. In the years ahead, Flow365 data will play a key role in protecting our water, our riparian ecosystems, and the people, plants, and wildlife of the Sonoran Desert.



All you need to do to join this fun and meaningful effort is become a member of the River Run Network. You’ll receive WMG’s River Speaks e‑bulletin and be invited to creek walks, clean‑ups, restoration workshops, community science projects, and advocacy opportunities.

Click here to learn more and become a member.

ONE MORE FROM WMG!!!

Help Remove Dreaded Arundo!

Saturday, October 24 & Oct 31st

8:00am - 12:00pm

Watershed Management Group is continuing their work in the Tanque Verde Creek to remove the dreaded Arundo donax!

This invasive species takes up 3-4 times more water than our native plants, and they want to see it gone!

Can you help at their remaining October Workshops?

Click HERE to join them this Saturday, October 24th, or...

Click HERE to sign up for a spooky Oct. 31st session, Halloween morning.

UPDATE

Tucson Meet Yourself

Folklife Festival

Tucson Meet Yourself was a tremendous success for Living Desert Alliance. Our leadership team enjoyed participating in this vibrant community celebration, connecting with current members who stopped by our booth and meeting many new friends.

We were especially pleased to welcome dozens of new members who joined after learning about our mission and community involvement.

Thank you to everyone who visited, shared conversations, and helped strengthen our growing community.

Explore, Discover, Protect! Fun Environmental Learning for Kids

During our recent weekend at the Tucson Meet Yourself festival, we had the opportunity to speak with many parents who are eager to help their children understand the importance of sustainability and environmental stewardship. To support those efforts, we'd like to share an excellent educational resource for families and educators.

Kids Environment Kids Health is a free online learning center from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Designed for children, parents, and teachers, the site features interactive games, puzzles, stories, coloring books, and engaging science-based activities that help explain the connection between environmental health and everyday life.



Young learners can explore topics such as pollution, recycling, healthy living, and the scientific process. They can also learn practical ways to protect natural resources and make environmentally responsible choices at home, at school, and in their communities.

Whether you are a teacher looking for classroom resources, a parent seeking meaningful educational activities, or a student curious about the world around you, Kids Environment Kids Health offers valuable tools to inspire learning and action. Visit today and begin your environmental discovery journey.

Photo: Freepic.com

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.

Northern Jaguar Project Jaguar Documentary

This Sunday, October 25, 2026

2:00–4:00 p.m. Warden Oasis Theater,

Arizona‑Sonora Desert Museum

As shared in last weeks 10/15/26 newsletter, you are invited a special screening of Borderlands Jaguar, presented by the Northern Jaguar Project and hosted by Border Community Alliance and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. This inspiring documentary follows efforts to protect one of the Southwest’s most elusive species and highlights the vital importance of preserving wildlife corridors and connected landscapes for future generations.

Event is FREE with Desert Museum admission.

Click here for more information and to

watch the official Boarderlands Jaguar Trailer

Help Keep our Desert and Community

Livable and Thriving

Donate Today

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Every contribution makes a difference!

Thank you for your support.