PIMA COUNTY, AZ, June 4, 2025 — In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Ironwood Forest National Monument, the Pima County Board of Supervisors, the Town of Marana, and the City of Tucson have issued official proclamations that recognize June 9, 2025, as Ironwood Forest Day.
Established by presidential proclamation in 2000, the Ironwood Forest National Monument protects 189,000 acres of Sonoran Desert habitat just northwest of Tucson.
Rich in biodiversity, the monument is home to ancient ironwood and cactus forests, endangered species such as the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl, the last viable population of desert bighorn sheep in the Tucson basin, and culturally significant archaeological sites.
This silver anniversary honors not only the monument’s natural and cultural heritage, but also the tireless work of local conservation champions, especially the Friends of Ironwood Forest and the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection.
Alongside partners such as the Bureau of Land Management and Arizona Game and Fish Department, these organizations have played a pivotal role in advocating for the monument’s protection, fostering stewardship, and ensuring public access to this beloved desert landscape.
Presentation of Proclamations from the Pima County Board of Supervisors and the Town of Marana to the Friends of Ironwood Forest and the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, proclaiming June 9th, 2025 as “IRONWOOD FOREST DAY”.
On Saturday, June 7, Friends of Ironwood Forest are inviting the public to join them for a “Day of Action for Public Lands” from 8:00 to 9:00 AM at the Waterman Peak Trail Parking Area in Ironwood Forest National Monument. The City of Tucson proclamation will be shared at this event, while those presented by Pima County and the Town of Marana were presented on Tuesday.
The event coincides with the Anniversary of the Antiquities Act and the 25th Anniversary of IFNM’s designation, marking a powerful moment to both celebrate and stand in defense of America’s public lands.
As a brief but impactful rally, the event aims to gather community while generating local and national media attention to support protection of our beloved public lands. Participants are encouraged to bring homemade signs.
Tom Hannagan, Board President of Friends of Ironwood Forest, shared that “Ironwood Forest represents everything the Antiquities Act was created to preserve – from ancient archaeological sites to unique desert wildlife. This is a moment to show how much Americans care for our public lands.”
CONTACT
Tom Hannagan, Board President
Friends of Ironwood Forest
tom@ironwoodforest.org
(847) 910-9310
Kate Hotten, Co-Executive Director
Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection
kate.hotten@sonorandesert.org
(520) 365-5187