I have always enjoyed the outdoors and, growing up in Tucson, had the opportunity to spend countless hours wandering in the desert, swimming in Sabino Canyon, and camping in many of the surrounding mountain regions. Now, seeing the changes brought on by a growing population that seeks to increase its development footprint, I appreciate the work done by Sky Island in helping to maintain open corridors for wildlife and restoring over-used spaces. My work as a ruminant animal nutritionist has afforded me the privilege of observing the sky island environment from the wildlife’s perspective and recognizing the need for maintaining these high quality open spaces. Our family owns part of Ruby Mines in Santa Cruz County, and we have developed a productive relationship with Sky Island staff and volunteers as they work to map the region’s watershed, identify the native flora and fauna, and control non-native species.