Concerned about all the recent developments at the border and not sure where that leaves wildlife? In this virtual Coffee Break, Sky Island Alliance’s Program Director Emily Burns and Wildlife Program Manager Eamon Harrity give a virtual tour of southeast Arizona and describe the current status of border wall construction projects underway at the Santa Cruz River and across the San Rafael Valley. They also share insights from our vast network of wildlife cameras that’s faithfully keeping watch. Areas featured in this update include Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Coronado National Forest, San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, and San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge.
Learn more in our San Rafael Valley report, and check out these recent blogs on the return of the jaguar, ways the border wall can be less harmful, and how our Sonoran partners are helping to host Border Wildlife Study cameras during wall construction. And if you can, consider donating to support our work.
Key Moments in Coffee Break
- 4:16 — Overview of border news from January-August 2025, including the Declaration of National Emergency, National Defense Areas, law waivers, Tucson sector wall contract, and the passage of the Reconciliation bill.
- 16:19 — Research findings from our Border Wildlife Study including crossing rates of wildlife through vehicle barrier (21:13), bollard wall (23:16), and small wildlife passages (27:19).
- 30:32 — Recommendations to make the wall less harmful to wildlife.
- 35:09 — Evidence that human activity at the border is extremely low in our study area.
- 37:54 — Photo tour through the Border Wildlife Study sites including Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, West Nogales, Santa Cruz River, Greater San Rafael Valley, San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, and San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge.
- 47:35 — How you can help.
- 50:49 — Q&A.
