FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2025
Contact:
Jessica Moreno, jessica.moreno@sonorandesert.org, (520) 388-9925
On Monday morning, a new interpretative sign was unveiled by the Town of Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield at Big Wash Trailhead. The panel celebrates nearby wildlife movement areas and wildlife crossings.
A local conservation non-profit, the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, created the colorful signage to show how the Big Wash wildlife corridor fits into the larger wildlife linkage between the Catalina and Tortolita Mountains. Funding for the project was provided by the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area.
“I’m passionate about environmental and wildlife conservation,” said Mayor Winfield. “Public education is a key component of any conservation effort. Thanks to our partners and this new interpretive panel, trail users can learn about the importance of wildlife crossings as well as the types of animals they might see along the way.”
The nearby Ann Day Memorial Wildlife Bridge on Oracle Road is famous for being the first of its kind in the Sonoran Desert. The Big Wash Trailhead is around a mile south from the Oracle Road crossings.
“We know the Oracle Road crossings reduced animal-vehicle collisions and re-connected two mountain ranges divided by a six-lane highway,” said Jessica Moreno, Conservation Science Director with the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection. “We are delighted to show people that the project continues to be a resounding success.”
More than two thousand animals use the Oracle Road crossings every month, including mule deer, javelina, desert tortoise, badger, and even mountain lion and black bear. Moreno hopes to see desert bighorn sheep added to this list, too.
These crossings were publicly funded by the 2006 RTA Plan, and Pima County voters will have a chance to vote for more projects like this with the RTA Next Plan.
The panel is dedicated to Bob Cratty, Elizabeth Deupree, and Josh Skattum, devoted desert advocates and volunteers who leave behind a lasting legacy.
This is one of several improvements underway at the Big Wash Trailhead, with work led by the Town of Oro Valley. Visit the Big Wash Trailhead in Oro Valley, AZ, to learn more, or explore the panel online in English and Spanish at https://www.SonoranDesert.org/WildlifeCrossings.
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