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Tony Paniagua from Arizona Public Media (AZPM) visited us on the Oracle Road wildlife crossing bridge to get the scoop on our work there for Sonoran Desert wildlife and our efforts to support local biodiversity.
“We want the habitat to match the surrounding environment and also work really well for the animals that are going to be using the crossing structures.” says Jessica Moreno, Conservation Science Director. “We’re planting native plants, trees, pollinator plants to create cover for animals, smaller animals moving across the bridge and underpass, and also food sources and all that fun stuff.”
Tony interviewed one of our regular volunteers, Cheryl Purvis, about her work with us during our Habitat Restoration Days. “It seemed like it would be a good time to be more active in the organization and to be able to get out and enjoy this beautiful desert while doing something for all its creatures,” she says, “It feels so good. It’s so rewarding. I would encourage anybody who has the time and the resources to do it.”
“We have seen an average of 2000 crossings a month in the nine years since this has been built. We’ve got over 40,000 animals between the underpass and the overpass that cross to get between these two mountain ranges,”
We have seen an average of 2000 crossings a month in the nine years since this has been built. We’ve got over 40,000 animals between the underpass and the overpass that cross to get between these two mountain ranges.
– Carolyn Campbell
“This is the first wildlife bridge in the Sonoran Desert and won’t be the last. We’ve got plans in place to put one over I-10 near Avra Valley Road to connect the Tucson mountains and the Tortolita Mountains as well. So hopefully, one day we’ll have a ring of bighorn sheep moving around, and mule deer moving around Tucson.” says Carolyn Campbell, Executive Director.
