September 21st, 2024
The Pima County Board of Supervisors recently proclaimed September 21st “Carolyn Campbell Appreciation Day” to recognize her incredible efforts and dedication to protecting the Sonoran Desert and serving as the Executive Director of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection for 26 years, advocating and implementing the iconic Sonoran Desert Conservation plan.
“WHEREAS, in 1997, the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl received protection under the
federal Endangered Species Act, spurring more than 40 conservation and neighborhood
groups to form the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection; and
WHEREAS, the Coalition’s primary goal was to bring sound science and planning into
the equation as Pima County developed, adopted and began its implementation of the
ground-breaking Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP); and
WHEREAS, Carolyn Campbell served as the Executive Director for the Coalition for 26
years, leading it to become one of the most successful advocacy organizations in the
history of Pima County; and
WHEREAS, her exemplary work earned tremendous respect among not only the
conservation community, but also the development community; and
WHEREAS, her service on the County’s SDCP Steering Committee was integral to the
successful outcome of the Committee’s recommendations and the County’s subsequent
call for a bond election in 2004; and
WHEREAS, Carolyn and the Coalition participated in countless proposed land use
projects and provided valuable recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding
implementation of the SDCP’s Conservation Land System, influencing the conservation
of natural open space throughout Pima County; and
WHEREAS, she has been a tireless ambassador, sharing our community’s experiences
and lessons-learned in implementing the SDCP with others across the
country, encouraging them to pursue similar endeavors that balance conservation and
economic health; and
WHEREAS, the Coalition under Carolyn’s leadership has worked successfully with
Pima County and Pima County voters to fund the purchase and preservation of more
than 200,000 acres to protect wildlife and open spaces and connect wildlife linkages;
and
WHEREAS, as a member of the 2006 Regional Transportation Plan Committee,
Carolyn successfully advocated for the inclusion of funding in the Plan for wildlife
linkage projects, and actively participated in the planning and implementation of the
highly successful wildlife bridge and underpass for Oracle Highway, completed in 2016.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Pima County Board of Supervisors
hereby proclaims Saturday, September 21, 2024, to be: