Special Events
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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‘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.
‘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.
‘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.
Border Wildlife Study Talk at Phoenix Zoo
Phoenix Zoo Stone House Pavilion 455 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, ArizonaSince 2020, Sky Island Alliance has used wildlife cameras to investigate the impacts of border walls on wildlife movement. For this talk, SIA Wildlife Program Manager Eamon Harrity and Program...
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Survey Springs in the Rincon Wilderness
Redington Road Benson, ArizonaJoin us for a weekend of car camping and hiking as we survey springs in the Rincon Mountain Wilderness.
Volunteer Outing at Rancho El Sahuaro
Rancho El Sahuaro Naco, Sonora, MexicoJoin us for a volunteer camping weekend at the picturesque Rancho El Sahuaro, just 15 minutes south of the U.S.-Mexico border town of Naco, Sonora. As part of our larger Ranchos Regenerativos program, which aims to integrate traditional ranching practices with land stewardship, we will be working with the landowners on restoration activities at this mixed grassland ranch.
‘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.
Road Rewilding in the Huachucas
Montezuma Pass Cochise County, AZ, United StatesJoin 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...
Read more »
Tucson ‘Spring Cleaning’
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.
Survey Springs in the Catalinas
North Mount Lemmon Road Oracle, ArizonaJoin us for this Spring Seeker day trip as we bushwhack to springs along the Mt. Lemmon control road on the north side of the Catalinas.
Tucson ‘Spring Cleaning’
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.
Sky Island FotoFauna Class in Green Valley
Green Valley Recreation 1070 S. Calle de las Casitas, Green Valley, ArizonaThis Jan. 7 and Jan. 21, we’re hosting a two-part class in Green Valley for folks interested in joining Sky Island FotoFauna and learning how to set up a wildlife camera in their backyard as part of our community science project. Registration for Green Valley Recreation members opens Dec. 9, and for the rest of the public, it opens Dec. 24.
Tucson ‘Spring Cleaning’
Join 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.
Road Rewilding in the Huachucas
Montezuma Pass Cochise County, AZ, United StatesJoin 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.
Tucson ‘Spring Cleaning’
Join 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.
Tucson ‘Spring Cleaning’
Join 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.
Tucson ‘Spring Cleaning’
Join 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.
Tucson ‘Spring Cleaning’
Join 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.
Tucson ‘Spring Cleaning’
Join 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.
Tucson ‘Spring Cleaning’
Join 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.