Our Achievements
Coalition Successes
The Coalition has become a key player in conservation issues in the region Through dedication and hard work we have been able to positively impact our environment and are on our way to establishing the best regional multi-species Habitat Conservation Plan, the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, in the nation. Below is a list of some of our achievements in working to protect our environment.
Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan
- Persuaded Pima County to adopt the far reaching Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP) planning process. The Coalition has since become a key player in that process with direct influence on county staff and elected officials. The SDCP has gained national media attention, awards, and is on it's way to becoming the standard for others to follow. Here, in Pima County, we have a chance to protect the desert and show other communities how to effectively plan and implement a Habitat Conservation Plan.
- Through education, outreach, and close work with various stakeholders and county staff, Coalition-proposed interim conservation measures were created and approved by the Pima County Board of Supervisors.
- Defeated numerous state legislative bills that would have undermined local decision-making regarding the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.
- Through efforts on the SDCP Steering Committee, achieved common ground with various stakeholder groups traditionally at odds with conservationists — ranchers, developers, property rights advocates, realtors, etc.
- Created a public forum series to direct public input into the development of the SDCP. The forum's topics have included "Livestock Grazing and the SDCP," "Natural Resource Based Outdoor Recreation and the SDCP," "Endangered Species Act & Habitat Conservation Plans," "Economic Benefits of Conservation," and others.
- Created a "Community Vision" of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. The community vision outlines important next steps to achieve species and habitat conservation goals under the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. This Vision reflects and builds upon recommendations of the SDCP Citizen's Steering Committee.
Promote the Use of Sound Science
We continue to promote the use of biological science as the driving force of the SDCP and have been successful thus far. Other communities have ignored the most current science and developed Habitat Conservation Plans around the politics of the day. By using science as a driving force we can take politics out of the equation and focus on what is necessary to protect our natural resources. We also successfully urged Pima County to adopt a Comprehensive Land Use Plan that is based on scientific data. This land use plan determines the types of uses allowed in certain areas on a county-wide scale.
Ironwood Forest National Monument
Key leaders in the movement for the conception, promotion, design, and designation of the Ironwood Forest National Monument (IFNM) . This summer we will celebrate the monument's fifth anniversary. The IFNM is a ruggedly beautiful area found just northwest of Tucson. It is the home to the last heard of Bighorn Sheep in eastern Pima County and is an addition to the National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) program.
Desert Bighorn Sheep Study
Assisted with organizing, developing and funding a Desert Bighorn Sheep Study in and around the Ironwood Forest National Monument to quantify the last known bighorn sheep population in eastern Pima County. Herds were once found near the Catalina Mountains. High density development has severely destroyed much of that habitat. It is essential to continue to designate protection areas so the wildlife found in southern Arizona can recoup and flourish.
Provide Sound Research
Completed, published, and distributed five reports, including a Proposal for the Establishment of the Morris K. Udall Ironwood Forest-Upland Corridor National Monument, Economic Benefits of Protecting Natural Resources in the Sonoran Desert, and Protecting the Sonoran Desert: an Exploration of Open Space & HCP Funding Mechanisms.
Community Outreach
The Coalition began with a handful of direct supporters, since that time the Coalition has continually increases individual supporters to over a 1,200 and the annual budget through effective fundraising. Our member groups represent over 30,000 people. Currently we have expanded our outreach program. We hope to bring in a total of 2,000 new supporters to take direct action during the SDCP comment period.
Open Space Bond
As a member of "Friends of the Sonoran Desert," the Coalition facilitated a grassroots campaign to get thousands of postcards, phone calls and emails to county supervisors, and bring hundreds of people to a public meeting, at which the Pima County Board of Supervisors were persuaded to schedule an open space bond for May 2004 to provide over $174.3 million to fund protection of lands identified under the SDCP. Coalition Assistant Director, Susan Shobe, served as campaign manager for the Friends leading up to the election, which led the effort in seeing the bond pass by nearly 67% of the vote. Learn More....
With your support we can add to this list of successes and continue to protect our way of life.
Page last modified: October 17, 2006 at 03:49 PM