Mission: Our mission is to achieve the long-term conservation of biological diversity and ecological function of the Sonoran Desert through comprehensive land-use planning, with primary emphasis on Pima County’s Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.
We achieve this mission by advocating for: 1) the conservation of Pima County’s most biologically rich areas, 2) directing development to appropriate land, 3) requiring appropriate mitigation for impacts to habitat and wildlife species, and 4) facilitating community engagement with threats to wildlife and open space.
Results: 1. The creation and adoption of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan by Pima County in 1998, with ongoing implementation over the last 20 years.
2. The creation of the Ironwood Forest National Monument in 2000.
3. Adoption of the Conservation Lands System in Pima County, protecting open spaces on both public and private lands.
4. $45 million in wildlife linkages funding in the Regional Transportation Authority Plan.
5. The Sonoran Desert’s first wildlife bridge.
6. Pima County’s Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan, finalized and approved in 2016.
7. Protecting over 200,000 acres of open space with local bond funding.
8. 45+ wildlife cameras deployed as part of our expansive Wildlife Camera Program.
9. Critter Cam program engaging local children.
10. Incredible and enduring support from our member groups, volunteers, and supporters.
Target demographics: The wildlife and people of the Sonoran Desert
Geographic areas served: Pima County, Arizona and surrounding counties in southern Arizona
Programs: Protecting open spaces on public and private lands,
Re-connecting our threatened wildlife linkages, and
Engaging the community in our expansive wildlife camera program, including local school children.
I'm so honored to be a volunteer with this organization! This team does a lot of amazing work protecting Tucson's native wildlife! I help monitor field cameras that assess the success of wildlife over and under-passes implemented by the Coalition that cross dangerous roads. We've seen a lot of success from these crossings, and the more data we get the more we can push for more crossings so that wildlife can safely navigate Tucson!
We have actively supported the Coalition since moving to Tucson in 2006 with funding and volunteering. Initially we were impressed with their efforts to protect dwindling open green space. We soon learned how extensively this small organization worked to also protect desert wildlife. It has been amazing to watch the wildlife camera monitoring and see the diversity of animals using the open wildlife corridors. By the time the public gets information about critical issues such as the I-11 construction, the Coalition has already been addressing issues to prevent this ecological disaster for years. Change doesn’t happen quickly, but it does happen with the Coalition staff working tirelessly to meet their/our goals. Tucson is a much better place for their diligent attention to preservation.
The Coalition is a true coalition of diverse groups that worked together for years to achieve the highest level of habitat protection in Pima County - creating a comprehensive multi-species conservation plan that is used across the nation of how to do this work right. They continue to monitor species of concerns, involving citizen scientists and other volunteers to make sure the plan continues to protect the beautiful desert in the Tucson area. I am proud to be a supporter of this effective, cutting-edge effort.
