Erosion Control in the Catalinas
October 3, 2025Join us in the Santa Catalina Mountains for a weekend building erosion-control structures in areas burned by the 2020 Bighorn Fire. Together, we can protect springs from landslides and ensure the mountain absorbs even more rain and snowmelt, recharging the aquifer that plants, wildlife, and people like us depend on. Note: Carpooling from Tucson is available, and day-trippers are most welcome. We’ll be camping at Whitetail Campground on Mt. Lemmon.
Getting to Know Our Magical Springs
October 1, 2025This article first appeared in The Desert Leaf and is part of a series featuring the Sky Islands.
Cattle and Ecological Restoration
Natural ecosystems throughout the world sustain biodiversity, regulate climate, and capture carbon. In many places, they’re also the space for livestock production. However, many of these ecosystems are being degraded…
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Making Way for Springs (and Javelinas)
September 30, 2025Over my first few weeks working with Sky Island Alliance as a fellow, I’ve had the opportunity to join several community events, including a Sunday weeding tamarisk in Davidson Canyon…
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Discovery Night: Bats and Snakes
September 16, 2025Sky Island Alliance presents a special Discovery Night in partnership with the Children’s Museum of Tucson. Free and open to the public, this event will feature live bats and snakes with crafts and expert presentations. At 5:30 p.m. bat biologist Debbie Buecher will present, followed by a 6 p.m. presentation from snake biologist Mike Cardwell. Come learn more about these misunderstood creatures from the experts, and get to see these animals in person, all while enjoying a free night at the museum.
Beekeeping at Rancho La Cieneguita
Recently, Sky Island Alliance’s Sonora team visited Rancho La Cieneguita near Cananea. This ranch is part of our Regenerative Ranches network, and I had the opportunity to speak with the…
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Ranchos Regenerativos: Improving Production by Taking Care of the Land
September 11, 2025By Zach Palma and Karen Lopez Roman Before talking about regenerative ranches, it’s important to understand the major challenges that livestock farming faces today in general, such as the demand…
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FotoFauna Class in Oro Valley
September 9, 2025This Nov. 12 and Nov. 19, Sky Island Alliance is hosting a two-part class in Oro Valley for folks interested in joining FotoFauna and learning how to set up a wildlife camera in their yard as part of our community science project. We’d love for you to join us!
Course fee: $50 per adult (kids free)
Optional fee: $100 for a camera kit
Sky Island FotoFauna Class in Green Valley
September 4, 2025This Oct. 6 and Oct. 27, 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 is already open and, for the rest of the public, it opens Sept. 22. SIA Wildlife Program Manager Eamon Harrity will be leading the class.
Course fee: $50
Optional fee: $100 for a camera kit
Skunks of the Sky Islands
Did you know there are four different kinds of skunks in the Sky Islands? Learn more about these fascinating creatures in this free online talk, given by SIA Wildlife Specialist Meagan Bethel and hosted by our allies at Pima Master Naturalists.