At Sky Island Alliance we’re happy and proud to celebrate Laura Patricia Gutiérrez Velásquez, who after several months of work with our team, advised by our Habitat Conservation Manager Sarah Truebe, presented her thesis report and successfully graduated from the Universidad de la Sierra in Moctezuma, Sonora, with a bachelor’s degree in biology.
During the last few months, Laura focused her research project on the “Impact of livestock activity on water resources, soil and vegetation in Arizona” — a very important topic for our region. Her research focused on seven springs in Santa Cruz, Pima, and Cochise counties in Arizona, where she made visits to take water and soil samples, and to document vegetation surrounding the springs.
Thanks to her commitment and dedication, she was able to document and contribute very important scientific information about how livestock practices affect water quality, soil health, and the biodiversity of these vulnerable ecosystems. For example, she determined that high concentrations of mercury exist in one studied spring, which represents a significant risk to human health and the environment, since this element is highly toxic and can bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms.
Laura’s findings give us scientific support to continue promoting our organization’s projects, such as Spring Seeker and Ranchos Regenerativos, which seek to protect springs, restore soil, and promote more sustainable land management, establishing connections with local communities, ranchers, and landowners. Her research not only strengthens Sky Island Alliance’s efforts, but is also an example of success and a motivation for future students to become interested in studying these important topics in the region.
Congrats, Laura, on your graduation and for contributing to the care of our springs and to the future of conservation in the region!
See a summary of Laura’s thesis, including photos of springs where she worked, and read the full text.