Special Events
Presentation: Wildlife of the Huachucas
Carr House 1011 E. Carr Canyon Rd., Hereford, ArizonaJoin us for this free event hosted by Friends of the Huachuca Mountains — part of a series of talks on the natural and cultural history of the region. Sky Island Alliance Program Director Emily Burns will give a talk on wildlife in the southern Huachucas and our work to protect these species.
Training: Intro to Sky Island FotoFauna
VirtualDo you love wildlife in the Sky Islands and have a place where you could place a backyard trail camera? This training is for you! Learn FotoFauna basics including selecting and placing a wildlife camera, how to identify different wildlife species, and how to submit your monthly checklist.
Aravaipa Canyon Vinca Removal
Aravaipa Canyon - East / The Nature Conservancy Guesthouse Klondyke, AZCome join us in the beautiful Aravaipa Canyon Preserve this fall for a fun and meaningful weekend with other volunteers. We'll be continuing work to remove invasive vinca along the banks of the creek.
Springs Restoration in the Whetstones
Kartchner Caverns State Park 2980 AZ-90, Benson, AZ, United StatesMcGrew Spring is a shady, secluded oasis in southern Arizona's Whetstone Mountains. Closed to the public, the spring is more than two miles from any other water source and is a favorite haunt of coatis, black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and birds. Unfortunately, in recent years, the spring has become overtaken by an invasive plant...
Read more »
Aravaipa Canyon Vinca Removal
Aravaipa Canyon - East / The Nature Conservancy Guesthouse Klondyke, AZCome join us in the beautiful Aravaipa Canyon Preserve this fall for a fun and meaningful weekend with other volunteers. We'll be continuing work to remove invasive vinca along the banks of the creek.
Celebrate: Festival de las Islas del Cielo
Plaza Principal — Moctezuma, Sonora, MexicoThis Oct. 14-15 the town of Moctezuma, Sonora, will host the first Festival of the Sky Islands. Come join us and help celebrate our region’s incredible biodiversity and culture. This event has been a great collaborative effort between environmental organizations including Sky Island Alliance, local groups, and the community of Moctezuma. There will be tables...
Read more »
Join the Challenge: Help Document Our Dark Skies
VirtualJoin us for this special event in appreciation of the spectacular dark skies of the Sky Islands. We'll explain how artificial lighting threatens the nocturnal environment that wildlife need to thrive. We’ll also explain how you can step outside after the webinar and collect a simple measurement of how dark the sky is above you.
Arizona Border Briefing
VirtualJoin us for a briefing on the state of Arizona's illegal plan to barricade more of the U.S.-Mexico border with shipping containers on federal land. The newest container drop site is on Coronado National Forest land in the southern Huachuca Mountains and right in the heart of our Border Wildlife Study. Our Program Director Emily...
Read more »
Festival in Esqueda, Sonora
Esqueda, Sonora — Centro de Usos Multiples and Plaza PrincipalThis Nov. 24-25 the town of Esqueda, Sonora, will host its first annual conservation festival. So come join us and help celebrate our region's biodiversity and culture in a beautiful setting in the heart of the Sky Islands.
Sky Island Alliance Happy Hour
Westbound 267 South Avenida del Convento #12, Tucson, AZTake a break from holiday cooking and join us this Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29, for a relaxed happy hour gathering at Tucson’s Westbound — just west of downtown in the MSA Annex. We’ll be celebrating each other and all we’ve accomplished this year in the Sky Islands.
Women Move Mountains
VirtualOn Dec. 9, Mountain Sentinels and Canadian Mountain Network are hosting a free two-hour online event called "Women Move Mountains" to celebrate diverse women leaders (including our very own Executive Director Louise Misztal) in mountain conservation, recreation, and advocacy. The event will take the form of a panel discussion with Q&A. Last year the event...
Read more »
FotoFauna 2022 Photo Contest
VirtualJoin us for a holiday happy hour to celebrate some of the best wildlife photos from FotoFauna in 2022! Sky Island Alliance staff are busy choosing their favorite photographs in various categories including “Best Action Shot,” “True Love,” “Young of the Year,” “Neighborhood Watch,” and more. We need your help to pick the top photos by...
Read more »
Arizona Border Update
VirtualRing in the new year with us as we discuss the evolving situation with the state of Arizona's illegal shipping-container wall on the Coronado National Forest. Our Program Director Emily Burns and Dinah Bear, legal expert and co-founder of the Border Coalition, will host the virtual talk, followed by a Q&A. We’ll be celebrating the...
Read more »
Aravaipa Canyon Vinca Removal
Aravaipa Canyon - East / The Nature Conservancy Guesthouse Klondyke, AZCome join us in the beautiful Aravaipa Canyon Preserve this February for a fun and meaningful weekend with other volunteers. We'll be continuing work to remove invasive vinca along the banks of the creek.
Coffee Break: Spring Into Stewardship
VirtualReady to get your hands dirty and make a difference in the Sky Islands this spring? Then join us on Feb. 9 to learn more about our work to heal the Sky Islands in Arizona. Our conservation team will share an overview of upcoming projects in the Santa Catalina Mountains, at Aravaipa Canyon, and along...
Read more »
Saguaro Stewardship Experience
Saguaro National Park East 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZJoin us at Saguaro National Park for a day of invasive species removal, plant and animal ID, and exploration of remote park areas! Part one of three in this spring series.
Coffee Break: Sky Island Alliance and Conservation Culture in Sonora
VirtualWant to learn more about our projects in Sonora in 2023 and ways you can get involved as a volunteer? Join us for this virtual Coffee Break that will be presented in English and Spanish.
Saguaro Stewardship Experience
Saguaro National Park East 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZJoin us at Saguaro National Park for a day of invasive species removal, plant and animal ID, and exploration of remote park areas! Part two of three in this spring series.
Border BioBlitz Virtual Talk
VirtualJoin us for a virtual talk hosted by the San Diego Natural History Museum. Our Program Director Emily Burns will be presenting as part of a panel of speakers from both sides of the border. And you can learn more about how to participate in this April's binational Border BioBlitz.
Wildlife-Friendly Fence Installation in Huachucas
Mesa Tank (Southwestern Huachuca Foothills)Help us put up new wildlife-friendly fencing around an old cattle tank to protect water for wildlife at the edge of the beautiful San Rafael Valley. We'll be camping too, so this is a great chance to meet other volunteers and have some outdoor fun.
Sonora Gear Drive / Happy Hour
Westbound 267 South Avenida del Convento #12, Tucson, AZCome join us Friday, March 31, for a relaxed happy hour gathering at Tucson’s Westbound — just west of downtown in the MSA Annex. This is a chance to meet some of our Sonoran staff and UniSierra partners. You can also drop off items at this time as part of our Sonora Gear Drive.
Border BioBlitz: San Pedro Cleanup
San Pedro RiverJoin us for a day on the beautiful San Pedro River, helping clean up this important wildlife corridor near the border. This event is cohosted by the Sierra Club, and BLM representatives will also be on hand. Participants will meet up in Palominas and then carpool to the cleanup site.
Coffee Break: Border Wildlife Study 3rd Anniversary
VirtualJoin us for a Border Wildlife Study update on the last three years of wildlife activity along 30 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border in southeast Arizona. Our team will share their favorite photos from the study, trends observed during this three-year span, and how these data are applied to guide border policy.
Saguaro Stewardship Experience
Saguaro National Park East 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZJoin us at Saguaro National Park for a day of invasive species removal, plant and animal ID, and exploration of remote park areas! Part three of three in this spring series.
Border BioBlitz: San Rafael Valley
San Rafael Valley 277 McKeown Ave., Patagonia, AZCalling birders, botanists, bug lovers, trackers, herpers, fungi folk, and naturalists of all sorts to join us for a Borderlands BioBlitz!
Sky Island FotoFauna Gathering
La Posada Center 780 South Park Centre Avenue, Green Valley, AZ, United StatesA fun FotoFauna gathering for all who are interested. We'll gather and discuss the program and how it helped recent wins at the border.
Border BioBlitz: Parker Canyon Area
Parker Canyon Lake 3200 S Sonoita Hwy, Sonoita, AZ, United StatesCalling birders, botanists, bug lovers, trackers, herpers, fungi folk, and naturalists of all sorts to join us for a Borderlands BioBlitz!
Coffee Break: How Is Surface Water Quality Protected in Arizona?
VirtualJoin us for a virtual Coffee Break to learn more about how surface waters are protected in Arizona and what you can do to help safeguard these precious resources. The talk will be led by Dr. Erin Jordan from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Border BioBlitz Weekend: Patagonia
Borderlands Campsite (TBD) Duquesne Road, Patagonia, AZCalling birders, botanists, bug lovers, trackers, herpers, fungi folk, and naturalists of all sorts to join us for a Borderlands BioBlitz!
Border BioBlitz: Huachuca Mountains
Huachuca Mountains 4101 E Montezuma Canyon Road, Hereford, AZCalling birders, botanists, bug lovers, trackers, herpers, fungi folk, and naturalists of all sorts to join us for a Borderlands BioBlitz!
Border BioBlitz: San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge
San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, ArizonaCalling birders, botanists, bug lovers, trackers, herpers, fungi folk, and naturalists of all sorts to join us for a Borderlands BioBlitz!
Coffee Break: The Future of Arizona’s Smallest Native Fish
VirtualJoin us for a virtual Coffee Break to learn more about the biology, history, and recovery of native fish in Arizona, with an emphasis on topminnows and pupfish. The talk will be led by the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Betsy Grube.
Volunteer Celebration / Happy Hour
Westbound 267 South Avenida del Convento #12, Tucson, AZCome join us Monday, May 8, for a relaxed happy hour gathering at Tucson’s Westbound — just west of downtown in the MSA Annex. We’ll be celebrating all our volunteers, including a special commemoration for our lifetime volunteers and new volunteers of 2023.
Aravaipa Canyon Vinca Removal
Aravaipa Canyon - East / The Nature Conservancy Guesthouse Klondyke, AZJoin us over Memorial Day weekend for another volunteer camping trip in the beautiful Aravaipa Canyon Preserve. We'll be continuing work to remove invasive vinca along the banks of the creek.
Webinar: FotoFauna in New Mexico
VirtualDo you live in New Mexico or have friends who do? Then check out this webinar to learn more about joining Sky Island FotoFauna, our community wildlife-monitoring project. Since 2020, our volunteers have established more than 300 camera points, mostly in Arizona and Sonora, to monitor our region's iconic mammals such as pronghorn, mountain lions,...
Read more »
Erosion Control in the Catalinas
Palisades Visitor Center Mt. Lemmon, AZ, United StatesJoin us for a volunteer camping weekend in the Santa Catalinas. We'll be creating loose rock structures to halt erosion, increase water absorption, and support plant growth around Caseco Spring. These low-tech structures can make a huge difference and are a great tool for transforming landscapes. We'll be getting dirty, bending, lifting, and digging with...
Read more »
Erosion Control in the Sierra Los Ajos
Cañon de Evans Carretera Cananea-Aguaprieta Kilometro 2.6, Cananea, Sonora, MexicoJoin us for a volunteer camping weekend at Sonora's Rancho Agua de Enmedio — 15 miles south of Naco, Arizona. We'll be creating loose rock structures to halt erosion, increase water absorption, and support plant growth around a creek. And we'll do a survey of new tree growth in a recently fenced riparian area designed...
Read more »
Spring Seeking in the Patagonia Mountains
Sanctuary at Sonoita Creek 376 Pennsylvania Ave., Patagonia, AZJoin us in the field for a day of exploring natural springs in southern Arizona's beautiful Patagonia Mountains. New Spring Seekers will be trained how to answer the survey questions, then we'll divide into small groups and carpool out to many different sites throughout the mountains.
First Guardians: A Talk on the Native Peoples of Sonora
VirtualJoin us for our next virtual Coffee Break with Dr. Alejandro Aguilar Zeleny from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History. He’ll present on the native peoples of Sonora and their role as first guardians of the lands we’ve come to know and love. The talk will be in Spanish with live translation in English.
Aravaipa Canyon Vinca Removal
Aravaipa Canyon - East / The Nature Conservancy Guesthouse Klondyke, AZJoin us for another volunteer camping trip in the beautiful Aravaipa Canyon Preserve. We'll be continuing work to remove invasive vinca along the banks of the creek.
Help Survey Patagonia Springs Before New Mining Begins
Patagonia Mountains AZWe need to get eyes on springs in the Patagonia Mountains before pumping for a new mining project begins, so we can establish baseline data and better advocate for these water sources. Learn more how to join our efforts over the coming weeks.
Native Plantings at Mint Spring & Busch Spring in the Catalinas
Spencer Canyon Campground Mt. Lemmon, AZJoin us for a weekend of planting native shrubs and wildflowers at two natural springs in the Santa Catalina Mountains. We'll be getting dirty, bending, lifting, and digging with tools provided by SIA, then enjoying each other's company at the campground at night.
Springs Restoration in the Whetstones
Kartchner Caverns State Park 2980 AZ-90, Benson, AZ, United StatesJoin us for a day removing invasive species around McGrew Spring — a lovely, shaded oasis in southern Arizona's Whetstone Mountains. If interested, there's also an option to camp for free the night before in Kartchner Caverns State Park.
Erosion Control at Green Spring in the Catalinas
Spencer Canyon Campground Mt. Lemmon, AZJoin us for a weekend of building erosion-control structures near Green Spring in the Santa Catalina Mountains. We'll be getting dirty, bending, lifting, and digging with tools provided by SIA, then enjoying each other's company at the campground at night.
Critter Night at Tucson’s Mission Garden
Mission Garden 946 W Mission Lane, Tucson, AZEvery year in August, Tucson's Mission Garden invites experts from wildlife agencies, local nonprofits, and the University of Arizona to come teach about wildlife in our area. Some groups bring live animals. Join us for this fun, family-friendly night. Free with $5 suggested donation.
Erosion Control on North Slope of Catalinas
Oracle Ridge Trailhead Mt. Lemmon, AZJoin us for a day of building erosion-control structures near a priority drainage on the north slope of the Catalinas that was damaged in the 2020 Bighorn Fire. We'll be getting dirty, bending, lifting, and digging with tools provided by SIA.
Aravaipa Canyon Vinca Removal
Aravaipa Canyon - East / The Nature Conservancy Guesthouse Klondyke, AZJoin us Labor Day weekend for another volunteer camping trip in the beautiful Aravaipa Canyon Preserve. We'll be continuing work to remove invasive vinca along the banks of the creek.
Chiricahua-Peloncillo Heritage Days
Geronimo Event Center 4 Rattlesnake Canyon Road, Rodeo, NMJoin us for this two-day festival full of food, music, and fun in the heart of the Sky Islands. Highlights include professional presentations, live music, a farmer's market, regional field trips, and more.
Art in the Park
Valencia Library 202 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, AZJoin us for this free, family-friendly event — the first in a series hosted by Saguaro National Park. Each event will feature a different aspect of our Sonoran desert and include hands-on art activities. There will be two sessions: 10:30 a.m. and noon. For the first talk, SIA Wildlife Specialist Meagan Bethel will present on...
Read more »
Coffee Break: Arizona Water Law
VirtualJoin us for our next virtual Coffee Break on one of the most important topics in our region: water. Our presenter will be Michael Van Alsburg, a Tucson lawyer who grew up in southern Arizona and currently serves on the Sky Island Alliance board of directors as co-chair.
Wildlife-Friendly Fence Installation in Huachucas
Scotia Canyon Campground Elgin, AZHelp us complete new wildlife-friendly fencing around an old cattle tank to protect water for wildlife at the edge of the beautiful San Rafael Valley. We'll be camping in Scotia Canyon, so this is also a great chance to meet other volunteers and have some outdoor fun.
Coffee Break: Skunks of the Sky Islands
VirtualDid you know that the Sky Island region has four different skunk species? Come learn all about this family of stinkin’ cute creatures during our next virtual Coffee Break, hosted by SIA Wildlife Specialist Meagan Bethel.
Coffee Break: Protecting the Origins of Water in the Sky Islands
VirtualJoin us to learn more about the Sky Islands’ role as a crucial source of water in our region, as well as efforts to protect this water through a binational network of environmental groups. Our presenter, Joaquín Murrieta, is a water expert who has spent much of his career protecting this precious resource in the...
Read more »
Erosion Control in the Catalinas
Palisades Visitor Center Mt. Lemmon, AZ, United StatesJoin us for a day of building erosion-control structures near Caseco Spring in the Catalinas. The spring is a key source of water for wildlife but needs some love after being damaged in the 2020 Bighorn Fire.
Aravaipa Canyon Vinca Removal
Aravaipa Canyon - East / The Nature Conservancy Guesthouse Klondyke, AZJoin us for another volunteer camping trip in the beautiful Aravaipa Canyon Preserve. We'll be continuing work to remove invasive vinca along the banks of the creek.
Coffee Break: Road Decommissioning Surveys
VirtualWe've had a lot of interest in our new campaign to rewild old roads in the Huachucas and other parts of southern Arizona, and you can help! To learn more about what's involved, join us for this virtual Coffee Break. We'll walk you through the process, step by step.
Saguaro Stewardship Experience
Saguaro National Park East 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZJoin us at Saguaro National Park for a day of activities including invasive species removal, plant and animal ID, fencing removal, and reseeding. Part one of six in this volunteer series.
Sky Island Alliance Gathering in Albuquerque
Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. 608 McKnight Ave. NW, Albuquerque, NMJoin us for an afternoon and come meet other SIA supporters in New Mexico. We'll give a short presentation on our work and the broader implications for our region's wildlife.
Aravaipa Canyon Vinca Removal
Aravaipa Canyon - East / The Nature Conservancy Guesthouse Klondyke, AZJoin us for another volunteer camping trip in the beautiful Aravaipa Canyon Preserve. We'll be continuing work to remove invasive vinca along the banks of the creek.
Coffee Break: Using Sky Islands to Study Climate Change Across the Globe
VirtualJoin us to learn more about how sky islands across the world are being used to study ecological and evolutionary impacts of global climate change. Our presenter, Sarah J. Love, is a PhD candidate in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Wilderness Springs Office Hours
VirtualInterested in joining one of our volunteer trips and need help getting set up with the Spring Seeker app? Our Habitat Restoration Manager Sarah Truebe is holding office hours to answer your questions before heading out into the field.
Survey Springs in the Pajarita Wilderness
Ruby Ruby, AZ, United StatesJoin us for a weekend of surveying springs in the Atascosa Mountains' Pajarita Wilderness. We'll be car camping each night in the old mining town of Ruby, Arizona.
Saguaro Stewardship Experience
Saguaro National Park East 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZJoin us at Saguaro National Park for a day of activities including invasive species removal, plant and animal ID, fencing removal, and reseeding. Part two of six in this volunteer series.
Aravaipa Canyon Vinca Removal
Aravaipa Canyon - East / The Nature Conservancy Guesthouse Klondyke, AZJoin us for another volunteer camping trip in the beautiful Aravaipa Canyon Preserve. We'll be continuing work to remove invasive vinca along the banks of the creek.
Saguaro Stewardship Experience
Saguaro National Park East 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZJoin us at Saguaro National Park for a day of activities including invasive species removal, plant and animal ID, fencing removal, and reseeding. Part three of six in this volunteer series.
Saguaro Stewardship Experience
Saguaro National Park East 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZJoin us at Saguaro National Park for a day of activities including invasive species removal, plant and animal ID, fencing removal, and reseeding. Part four of six in this volunteer series.
Invasive Plants: The Biggest Local Threats and What We Can Do
VirtualJoin us for our next virtual Coffee Break with Saguaro National Park’s botanist Dan Beckman. He’ll present on some of the most concerning invasive plants in the region, including buffelgrass, stinknet, tamarisk, and more.
Workshop: Springs Trip Planning and Navigation
Sky Island Alliance Office 3127 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, United StatesJoin SIA staff for an evening at our Tucson office getting ready for upcoming volunteer trips to visit springs within wilderness areas of the Coronado National Forest. Topics covered will include: reading maps and satellite images, navigation aides on desktop computers and smartphones, making tracks and reading elevations and contours on maps, planning backcountry vs....
Read more »
Aravaipa Canyon Vinca Removal
Aravaipa Canyon - East / The Nature Conservancy Guesthouse Klondyke, AZCome join us for one of our last volunteer camping weekends in Aravaipa Canyon Preserve as we finish this round in our fight against invasive vinca!
Coffee Break: Unwinding the Regulatory Story of the Jaguar
VirtualWith several new jaguar sightings in Arizona within the past year, both old and new questions are resurfacing as to what this means for the future of the species in the U.S. So join us for our next virtual Coffee Break to hear from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Marit Alanen, who is the agency’s jaguar expert and liaison to the Jaguar Recovery Team.
Saguaro Stewardship Experience
Saguaro National Park East 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZJoin us at Saguaro National Park for a day of activities including invasive species removal, plant and animal ID, fencing removal, and reseeding. Part five of six in this volunteer series.
Survey Springs in the Galiuro Wilderness
Jackson Cabin Forest Service Road 691, Willcox, AZJoin us for a weekend of car camping as we survey springs in southern Arizona's Galiuro Wilderness.
Training Workshop: Annual Plant Radiocarbon Project
Sky Island Alliance Office 3127 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, United StatesLearn how to help study fossil fuel emissions in Tucson by sampling invasive plants!
Saguaro Stewardship Experience
Saguaro National Park West - Red Hills Visitor Center 2700 North Kinney Road, Tucson, AZJoin us at Saguaro National Park West for a day of fencing removal to improve wildlife connectivity and benefit species like mule deer and bighorn sheep. Part six of six in this volunteer series.
Training Workshop: Annual Plant Radiocarbon Project
VirtualLearn how to help study fossil fuel emissions in Tucson by sampling invasive plants! SIA Program Director Emily Burns will walk you through the steps in this free online training.
Survey Springs in the Chiricahua Wilderness
Herb Martyr Campground San Simon, AZJoin us for a weekend of car camping as we survey springs in southeast Arizona's Chiricahua Wilderness.
Coffee Break: Mediating Wildlife-Human Relationships Through Behavioral Ecology
VirtualJoin us for our next virtual Coffee Break to learn more about some of the latest research being done to understand wildlife-human relationships and reduce conflict. Our presenter is Allie Burnett, Ph.D. candidate within the University of Arizona’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment. For her research, she has focused specifically on the dynamics at play in Tucson.
Aravaipa Canyon Vinca Removal
Aravaipa Canyon - East / The Nature Conservancy Guesthouse Klondyke, AZCome join us for one of our last volunteer camping weekends in Aravaipa Canyon Preserve as we finish this round in our fight against invasive vinca!
Road Decommissioning in the Huachucas
Montezuma Pass Cochise County, ArizonaJoin SIA as we physically decommission closed roads in the southern foothills of the Huachuca Mountains. We'll be camouflaging roads with rocks and woody debris, reseeding native plants, building erosion-control structures, and installing signs to notify the public about closures. We'll be camping overnight, but day-trippers are also welcome.
Connecting With the Land
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve 150 Blue Heaven Road, Patagonia, AZWe’re cohosting a day of outdoor learning at Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve. Come join us and make a day of it. There will be three stations, and folks will rotate in small groups. SIA’s Habitat Restoration Manager Sarah Truebe will present on our Spring Seeker program; other talks will cover invasive species ID and water quality.
Binational Border BioBlitz 2024 — Arizona
San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, ArizonaCalling birders, botanists, bug lovers, trackers, herpers, fungi folk, and naturalists of all sorts! Join SIA and partners for a special binational event at San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona and at Cuenca Los Ojos ranch in Sonora. Groups will be surveying on both sides and will eventually meet at the wall.
Binational Border BioBlitz 2024 — Sonora
Cuenca Los Ojos, SonoraCalling birders, botanists, bug lovers, trackers, herpers, fungi folk, and naturalists of all sorts! Join SIA and partners for a special binational event at San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona and at Cuenca Los Ojos ranch in Sonora. Groups will be surveying on both sides and will eventually meet at the wall.
FotoFauna Lending Library Kickoff in Bisbee
Copper Queen Library 6 Main Street, Bisbee, AZDuring this presentation, participants will learn about SIA's FotoFauna program and how they can participate in this community science project through the Copper Queen Library. Patrons can check out a wildlife camera kit from the library and submit an online monthly checklist of species they observe. This data will help SIA and partners study when...
Read more »
Survey Springs in the Galiuro Wilderness
Jackson Cabin Forest Service Road 691, Willcox, AZJoin us for a backpacking trip over Memorial Day weekend as we survey springs in southern Arizona's Galiuro Wilderness.
Time to Take Action: Protecting the Patagonia Mountains From the Hermosa Mine
VirtualJoin us for our next virtual Coffee Break to learn more about what you can do to help protect southern Arizona’s Patagonia Mountains from destructive mining. A company called South32 has requested to expand a mine onto U.S. Forest Service land, which will require the discharge of up to 6.5 million gallons of precious groundwater per day and lead to many other irreversible damages. In this talk, SIA staff will share updates on the project, and we’ll have a chance to hear from our local partners.
Survey Spring Snails in the Patagonia Mountains
Sanctuary at Sonoita Creek 376 Pennsylvania Ave., Patagonia, AZJoin us for this special Spring Seeker field trip to document these fascinating creatures that break down plant material and provide food for other animals.
Bisbee Talk on Binational Conservation
Copper Queen Library 6 Main Street, Bisbee, AZWe're deeply committed to protecting the Sky Islands. But what does it truly mean to live and operate in a binational landscape that differs culturally/politically and is divided by physical barriers? Join us for a special talk at Bisbee’s Copper Queen Library to learn more. Our Mexico Program Director Zach Palma will present, and it’s a chance to learn more about efforts to build ecological resilience in our region.
Coffee Break: Porcupines in the Sky Island Borderlands
VirtualNorth American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) are found across Arizona, but little is known about their distribution in the Sky Island region, and public perception is that porcupines do not live in the borderlands at all. Join SIA Wildlife Specialist Meagan Bethel for our next virtual Coffee Break to learn more about these fascinating creatures, surprising detections on our Border Wildlife Study cameras, and their documented crossing of the U.S.-Mexico border.
FotoFauna Lending Library Kickoff in Douglas
Douglas Public Library 560 E 10th Street, Douglas, AZDuring this presentation, participants will learn about SIA's FotoFauna program and how they can participate in this community science project through the Douglas Public Library. Patrons can check out a wildlife camera kit from the library and submit an online monthly checklist of species they observe. This data will help SIA and partners study when and where wildlife is present so we can better protect their habitats and pathways.
Coffee Break: Searching for the Southwest Spring Firefly
VirtualJoin us for our next virtual Coffee Break to learn more about the Southwest spring firefly, a nocturnal species associated with permanent streams and marshy areas in the Sky Islands and surrounding foothills of southern Arizona and New Mexico. This rare and imperiled firefly is currently under review for Endangered Species Act listing. For this talk, we’ll be joined by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Rachel Laura and Xerces Society biologist Candace Fallon. They’ll discuss this firefly's life history and the threats it faces, efforts to map its distribution, current research and conservation needs, and the ESA listing process.
Erosion Control in the Catalinas
Spencer Canyon Campground Mount Lemmon, AZ 85619Join us up on Mt. Lemmon for a weekend of camping at Spencer Canyon and help build erosion-control structures. Our goal is to slow down precious water, so it can infiltrate into the ground and make this area thrive once again following 2020's Bighorn Fire.
The Sonoran Desert: A Bee Diversity Hotspot
VirtualDid you know that the Sonoran Desert is a hotspot of bee diversity, home to more than 1,000 species!? How many of these can you name? Join us for our next virtual Coffee Break to learn more from Kim Franklin, associate director of conservation at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. She’ll take us on a tour of this incredible bee diversity, from the tiny Perdita species that pollinate our tiniest flowers to our gentle giants, the carpenter bees, which are both critical pollinators and pollen "thieves."
Road Rewilding in the Huachucas
Montezuma Pass Cochise County, ArizonaJoin SIA as we physically decommission closed roads in the southern foothills of the Huachuca Mountains. We'll be camouflaging roads with rocks and woody debris, reseeding native plants, building erosion-control structures, and installing signs to notify the public about closures. We'll be camping overnight, but day-trippers are also welcome.
The Arizona We Want: The Decade Ahead
VirtualJoin SIA staff for a virtual Coffee Break as we host Dr. Sybil Francis and Ian Dowdy from Center for the Future of Arizona. Our guest speakers will review the results of their groundbreaking Gallup Arizona Project. And they’ll share more on what they learned about what an overwhelming majority of Arizonans agree on related to shared appreciation, concern, and aspirations for our air, land, water, and wildlife — plus how Arizonans’ shared public values can shape the decade ahead. Don't miss this informational talk as we head into election season!
Chiricahua-Peloncillo Heritage Days
Geronimo Event Center 4 Rattlesnake Canyon Road, Rodeo, NMJoin us for this two-day festival full of food, music, and fun in the heart of the Sky Islands. Highlights include professional presentations, live music, a farmer's market, regional field trips, and more.
Coffee Break: An Arizona Guide to Attending the Festival of the Sky Islands
Interested in joining the Oct. 11-12 festival in Sonora but have questions about what to expect and where to camp or stay? Join us Sept. 30 at 9:30 a.m. for a virtual Coffee Break. Our Mexico Program Manager Zach Palma will answer questions and share details on the fun activities planned.
Celebrate: Festival de las Islas del Cielo
Plaza Principal — Moctezuma, Sonora, MexicoThis Oct. 11-12 the town of Moctezuma, Sonora, will host the third annual Festival of the Sky Islands. So mark your calendars, and stay tuned for more details as we get ready to celebrate our region’s incredible biodiversity and culture. This event is a collaborative effort between environmental organizations, local groups, and the community of Moctezuma. There will be tables from the organizing nonprofits, conservation talks, drawing contests, workshops, music, dance, and local food.
‘Spring Cleaning’ Weed Removal at Tucson Springs
Tucson, ArizonaJoin our campaign to remove invasive species at nine priority springs in the Tucson area. Together, we can restore these crucial wildlife oases! We'll meet every Tuesday morning and be working mostly in the Sabino Canyon area on the northeast side of town and near Vail and Davidson Canyon on the southeast side. Stay as long as you like, and leave for work if you need to. This is a great way to create an impact, get in a workout, and meet other volunteers.
Coffee Break: Updates From Our Border Wildlife Study
Through our Border Wildlife Study, we have monitored wildlife along nearly 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border for 4.5 years, and we are excited to share some of the insights we’ve learned along the way. We will present on our favorite photos, species trends in the San Rafael Valley, what’s happening with certain species of...
Read more »
‘Spring Cleaning’ Weed Removal at Tucson Springs
Tucson, ArizonaJoin our campaign to remove invasive species at nine priority springs in the Tucson area. Together, we can restore these crucial wildlife oases! We'll meet every Tuesday morning and be working mostly in the Sabino Canyon area on the northeast side of town and near Vail and Davidson Canyon on the southeast side. Stay as long as you like, and leave for work if you need to. This is a great way to create an impact, get in a workout, and meet other volunteers.