Archives
July 21, 2021
Public comment period now open on I-11 Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement
On July 16, 2021, the Arizona Department of Transportation and Federal Highways Administration released the Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The FEIS now identifies TWO possible Preferred Alternatives, a West Option through Avra Valley AND an East Option that co-locates I-11 with I-19 and I-10 through the Tucson region. Action #1: Please ACT […]
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May 26, 2021
Field Notes: a nest of great horned owls
By Gay Russell During the over twenty years I have lived in Sun City Oro Valley, we have had several sets of Great Horned Owls nest within our area. In 2017, a pair made a nest in one of two large trees next to a golf cart path on the edge of the golf course […]
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April 8, 2021
Crossing Through Your Neighborhood: A Presentation
Want to learn more about what’s happening around the Oracle Road wildlife crossings? Check out this recent presentation given by our Conservation Science Director Jessica Moreno: You can also view a pdf of the presentation HERE.
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April 7, 2021
Friends of the Desert Newsletter #59
We hope our Spring 2021 newsletter brings some hope, joy, and positivity into your mailboxes and inboxes. Check out the following articles in the newsletter: Increasing our impact through community science New strategies for protecting Sonoran Desert open spaces Coalition volunteers continue to make an impact And more! And, as always, thank you for supporting a […]
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Amor from the Desert by Mely Bohlman
This piece was written on the stolen lands and waters of the Tohono O’odham and Yaqui/Yoeme. Imagine yourself standing in the Sonoran Desert on a caliente summer day. Let’s paint the landscape by adding deep blue for the mountains that emerge in every cardinal direction and strokes of brown that create texture on the ground, […]
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March 1, 2021
Support the 30×30 campaign
Have you heard of the 30×30 campaign? While this campaign has circulated for a while, it hit the national news recently when President Biden pledged in an Executive Order to preserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. This ambitious goal is being called a “moonshot.” According to this recent article in The Guardian: “One […]
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February 26, 2021
Closing the Gap: Fencing gaps near the SR77 wildlife crossings are coming to a close
by Jessica Moreno, Conservation Science Director The last time I took a stroll down Big Wash, which runs along the west side of Oracle Road, the chill air pressed against my face mask but still managed to carry the smell of triangle leaf bursage and creosote. Gambel’s quail scurried away with their bustling chip-chip-chip alarm […]
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January 26, 2021
Remembering Bob Cratty
by Terry Minks Bob was a dear friend to all his acquaintances in Sun City, Oro Valley and to my wife and me ever since we came to live in Arizona 18 years ago. Bob delighted in introducing newcomers to his favorite places throughout Arizona. He was a history buff and was the first person […]
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January 8, 2021
We Stand Against the Seditious Attack on Democracy
We want to acknowledge the seditious attack on democracy at the U.S. Capitol that occurred on January 6th, and the events that continue to unfold as a result of actions by domestic terrorists and white nationalists. At a moment such as this, we cannot be business as usual, and silence is not neutral. From the […]
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December 17, 2020
The future of our Community Science Program
As we plan for 2021, we wanted to share with you where we are with each of our community science projects, and what’s new coming on the horizon! Volunteers have thus far contributed over 1,100 hours and 4,600 miles this year! Whether you help as a community scientist, or as a volunteer writing comment letters, stuffing […]
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