Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection

05/14/2026

With your support, we've been in the fight against Interstate 11 (I-11) since the beginning.

This proposed interstate would destroy pristine desert habitat, fragment wildlife corridors, and undermine decades of conservation work.

In 2022, we filed a lawsuit with our partners against the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for failing to consider the impact to endangered species in their Environmental Impact Statement on the I-11 proposal, forcing them to go back to the drawing board in January 2025.

We've only been able to maintain this momentum through your support, and this fight isn't over yet.

Will you help us reach our goal of raising $80,000 this spring? Thanks to an incredibly generous group of donors, your donations are now matched up to $31,000!

Later this year, we expect there will be a public comment period on a new Environmental Impact Statement. We need your support today so we can again rally against this destructive proposal.

Keep an eye out for updates from us. It's up to us to protect the Sonoran Desert we cherish - together! 🌵

Make your contribution today on our website. We'll post the link in the comments.

📸: All the vegetation in this scene, west of the Tucson Mountains, is threatened by I-11's west option. Photo credit: Frank Staub

05/13/2026

We are wishing a warm farewell to our Wildlife Data Intern, Zoey Feldman! 🌵

Zoey joined the Coalition as a Wildlife Data Intern through the University of Arizona’s RISE program for the Spring 2026 semester. While at the Coalition, she contributed to the 13-year report on the Oro Valley wildlife crossings monitoring project, helped with species identification and the organization of our wildlife camera photo database, and attended several of our outreach and partner project events. 📸🐾🌵

In her own words: "One of my favorite parts of my time here has been helping people learn about our environment, how we can further protect it, and what they can do to be involved. The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection has sparked my interest to pursue a career in county or state level government implementing conservation plans like our very own Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan here in Pima County!”

Thank you for your excellent work, Zoey! We wish you all the best and are so grateful to have had you on our team. 🌵

📸: CSDP Wildlife Biologist Jessica Moreno and Zoey Feldman
checking a wildlife camera.

05/08/2026

Please join us in welcoming our newest Coalition member group: Arizona Mountain Mamas! ⛰️

Arizona Mountain Mamas brings a strong voice for women and families in advocacy and policy through their work advancing climate solutions, protecting public lands, and empowering communities to take action.

We look forward to working together to advance shared conservation goals across the Sonoran Desert.

The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection is an alliance of conservation and community organizations first formed in 1998. This includes local, regional, national and even international groups. We are grateful for all our member groups and their collaboration as we tackle complex and interdisciplinary challenges together. 🌵

Welcome, Arizona Mountain Mamas! 👏⛰️

05/06/2026

We need your voice.

Rep. Juan Ciscomani has said he supports protecting public lands and the values they hold for our communities. A key vote will soon put that commitment to the test.

Congress is expected to take up a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the resource management plan for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, one shaped by years of scientific study, community engagement, and Tribal input.

If this resolution moves forward, it could set a far-reaching precedent, making it easier to unravel protections elsewhere -including places in Southern Arizona like Ironwood Forest National Monument.

If you live in Rep. Ciscomani’s district, please call or email his office and urge him to vote NO on the CRA resolution.

(202) 225-2542
https://ciscomani.house.gov/contact

Thank you for helping to ensure these places remain protected for generations to come! 🌵

📸: Ironwood Forest National Monument. Photo by Deirdre Denali Rosenberg

04/30/2026

Your donation today will be DOUBLED! 🌵

Thanks to an incredibly generous group of donors, your donations are now matched up to $31,000 this spring!

Will you help us reach our goal of raising $80,000?

Protecting the Sonoran Desert is a long-term commitment, and it’s powered by you. With your support, we continue to do what we do best: defend the desert from short-sighted development.

Make your contribution today on our website. http://Sonorandesert.org 🌵

📸: A vibrant pink cholla is visited by a native bee near Picture Rocks. Photo credit: Frank Staub.

04/28/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a highway cleanup last Saturday. Together we removed 17 bags of trash in a wildlife corridor! 🛣️ ✨

Our volunteers helped us keep our adopted mile near the Santa Cruz River wildlife ramp clean to support local wildlife moving between the Tucson and Tortolita Mountains. This underpass is wildlife’s only crossing point at the I-10 freeway - just imagine what a future wildlife bridge could do. 🦌🌵

This project is funded in part by the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area - thank you!

At the Coalition, we will continue to advocate for wildlife and landscape connectivity in the Sonoran Desert here in Pima County. 🌵Thank you for your support!

04/27/2026

Earlier this month, we hosted our first "Wild Connections Week", a series of field trips and events that explored where and how wildlife is moving across the Sonoran Desert and highlighted the importance of protecting and connecting our region’s unique landscapes. 🌵🦌

Throughout the week, we welcomed our community, partners, and local leaders for a behind-the-scenes look at the creative solutions and current challenges affecting wildlife movement in Pima County. These field trips were designed to showcase the on-the-ground successes and spark conversation about the challenges and opportunities ahead as our region continues to grow.

Here are some photo highlights from the week! To read the full recap, head to our website to read our latest blogpost. We'll post the link in the comments. 🌵

This project was funded in part by the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area and Pima County – thank you sincerely for your support!

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! Looking to start your weekend on a high note? 🌵

Join us *this Saturday* for a highway clean-up in a wildlife corridor. Help us clean up litter while working as part of a fun group.

We'll be meeting where a future wildlife bridge has been proposed over the I-10 freeway and will work along our adopted 1-mile stretch of frontage road near the Santa Cruz River. We'll have all the tools you'll need, and we'll bring lots of snacks to fuel the team.

Hope to see you there! Head to the link in the comments to RSVP today. 🌵

This opportunity is funded in part by the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area - Thank you!

04/22/2026

Good news for Earth Day regarding H.R. 1897!

The bill was pulled from the floor today due to opposition. Meaning that H.R. 1897 is DEAD for the time being!

However, it could be rescheduled for a vote later after being amended or introduced in a later session. We will let you know if this happens.

For now, THANK YOU to everyone who called your representatives on this matter. And stay vigilant!

For the desert,
CSDP

URGENT! This week (during Earth Day week, no less) the House is expected to vote on H.R. 1897, the ESA Amendments Act of 2025.

This bill would WEAKEN the Endangered Species Act by making it easier to delist species and harder to list new species, limit critical habitat protections, and prioritize short-term development over long-term conservation.

At a time when biodiversity is already in crisis, this legislation would roll back one of our most effective tools for protecting wildlife and the landscapes they depend on.

Please call your representatives today and urge them to vote NO:

Juan Ciscomani: (202) 225-2542
Adelita Grijalva: (202) 225-2435

A quick call can make a real difference. Let your representatives know that Arizonans support strong protections for threatened and endangered Sonoran Desert wildlife.

📸: The threatened cactus ferruginous pygmy owl. Photo credit: Aaron Flesch.

04/21/2026

URGENT! This week (during Earth Day week, no less) the House is expected to vote on H.R. 1897, the ESA Amendments Act of 2025.

This bill would WEAKEN the Endangered Species Act by making it easier to delist species and harder to list new species, limit critical habitat protections, and prioritize short-term development over long-term conservation.

At a time when biodiversity is already in crisis, this legislation would roll back one of our most effective tools for protecting wildlife and the landscapes they depend on.

Please call your representatives today and urge them to vote NO:

Juan Ciscomani: (202) 225-2542
Adelita Grijalva: (202) 225-2435

A quick call can make a real difference. Let your representatives know that Arizonans support strong protections for threatened and endangered Sonoran Desert wildlife.

📸: The threatened cactus ferruginous pygmy owl. Photo credit: Aaron Flesch.

04/16/2026

Last Friday, volunteers joined us at the Oracle Road wildlife crossings to finish our last scheduled habitat restoration workday. 🌵

Together, we propagated over 40 prickly pear and cholla cactus pads and removed 5 bags of buffelgrass at the Ann Day Memorial Wildlife Bridge. At the underpass, we built a second windrow for wildlife and made the finishing touches on the hand-built erosion control rock structures.

With invasive plants removed, erosion control settled in, and the new plants finished with supplemental watering, this site is now set up for success!

This work has been part of our ongoing efforts to improve the habitat and increase the biodiversity at the Oracle Road wildlife crossings. This project is funded in part by the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area and in partnership with Strategic Habitat Enhancements - thank you! 🌵 A huge thank you to everyone who has come out to support this project! 👏 We are grateful.