We remain focused

The short version

Key policy issues for the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection are under threat—we’ve outlined some examples below. Wildlife connectivity and open space preservation is highly dependent on policy and political backing, as our Coalition member Wildlands Network recently pointed out. 

The Coalition is prepared for any political outcome, though, and our dedication to the Sonoran Desert only strengthens in light of challenges. 

We remain committed to our mission and we will also continue to broadcast the desert’s joy along with ways we can work together for the desert. Locally, we will continue to be a watchdog for the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and advocate for its continued strong support from the Pima County Board of Supervisors.

Sincere thanks for joining our community in this long-term and critical effort. We don’t underestimate just how difficult the next few years will be—please consider donating generously today in support of the road ahead.

For the desert,

Kathleen, Kate, Jessica, Jonni and the CSDP Board of Directors

Our desert community is counting on us, including this javelina mom with babies. Photo by Sheryl Hester.

Perseverance

We wanted to share with you the following passage that was inspiring for us:

“There is no alternative to persevering, and that does not require you to feel good. You can keep walking whether it’s sunny or raining. Take care of yourself and remember that taking care of something else is an important part of taking care of yourself, because you are interwoven with the ten trillion things in this single garment of destiny that has been stained and torn, but is still being woven and mended and washed.”

– Rebecca Solnit (as originally published on Facebook, November 6, 2024)

A P.S. (the slightly longer version)

The Coalition continues to:

  • Advocate for the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, including by garnering support from the Pima County Board of Supervisors;
  • Represent the Sonoran Desert in RTA Next, the Pima Prospers Comprehensive Plan Update, and other plans that will impact our landscape;
  • Oppose the West Selected Corridor Alternative Option (West Option) for Interstate-11, the Copper World mining project, and other inappropriate development proposals;
  • Advocate for protected open spaces (including the new Santa Cruz River Urban National Wildlife Refuge);
  • Advocate for increased connectivity infrastructure, including wildlife bridges to link the Tucson and Tortolita Mountains across the I-10 and on the I-19 south of Green Valley;
  • Represent the Sonoran Desert with local and State government;
  • AND MORE!

We will also continue to closely follow changes to state and national legislation and policies, including that, under a new Trump administration:

  • The Endangered Species Act could face a significant rewrite. As some of you remember, we have the ESA to thank for requiring the protection of our cactus ferruginous pygmy owl and its habitat, along with other vulnerable Sonoran Desert wildlife species. The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, or SDCP, was the tool we used to do so, and we now enforce the ESA through the SDCP’s Multi-Species Conservation Plan. A threat to the ESA is a threat to the SDCP!
  • The National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, could be weakened, meaning less opportunity for communities such as ours to have a say on federal infrastructure projects. NEPA requires federal agencies to use publicly available tools such as Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements to assess the environmental impacts of a project. This would significantly reduce our influence in relation to linear infrastructure projects such as roadways—including the ongoing battle against the I-11 West Option.
  • We may face an even greater challenge in mitigating the harm of existing linear infrastructure projects, including infrastructure along the U.S.-Mexico border.
  • Existing and proposed national monuments could be under threat, with presidential powers to protect and preserve land under the Antiquities Act proposed for repeal. We would feel its loss—with protected federal lands at risk of being handed over to industrial projects or other development. Mining is just one of several destructive industries that are expected to receive broad support on federal lands. This will be particularly critical for Coalition members such as the Friends of Ironwood Forest, who support our beloved Ironwood Forest National Monument.
  • We could face threats to our clean air, with the Environmental Protection Agency’s scope reduced to no longer set health-based air quality standards. This has been proposed via changes to the Clean Air Act. We know that poor air quality can alter ecosystems, including soil and water chemistry, which can help non-native species such as buffelgrass thrive. It can also simply limit our ability to enjoy time outside in our desert and negatively impact human health.
  • Supplies critical to our work could significantly increase in price with the introduction of new tariffs. This includes the wildlife tracking cameras we use to provide critical data on wildlife corridors and movement—equipment that is only available from overseas manufacturers. Many other organizations also rely on these cameras.
  • Global environmental and climate measures could stall, with the US often leading other countries towards climate ambition (including the European Union, France and Indonesia). We are already at the forefront of extreme heat, climate justice and other climate impacts—any further lack of progress will be clearly reflected in our landscape. 

Read more from our Coalition member groups here (we’ll continue to update this list):

  • Statement from the Center for Biological Diversity

To discuss these or any other issues, please contact us at admin@sonorandesert.org. And thank you again for being part of our community as we face the challenges ahead.