Sky Island Alliance
@skyislandalliance.org
We protect and restore the wildlife, water, and lands of the U.S. & Mexico Sky Island region. Check out www.skyislandalliance.org for events and information in our region.
In collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management, we recently helped install five new water troughs for wildlife along often-dry sections of the San Pedro River without other surface water. Learn more in this blog from SIA's Emily Burns: ow.ly/lXeA50Y1jfV
January 23, 2026 at 3:05 PM
In collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management, we recently helped install five new water troughs for wildlife along often-dry sections of the San Pedro River without other surface water. Learn more in this blog from SIA's Emily Burns: ow.ly/lXeA50Y1jfV
Join us in welcoming two seasonal field techs to our team! Andres Martinez and Karuna Bhat will help us expand our work throughout southern AZ. Andres is a Tucson native and Karuna is from Wisconsin. Both have experience working in the field with plants: ow.ly/UzQ050Y0jai
January 22, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Join us in welcoming two seasonal field techs to our team! Andres Martinez and Karuna Bhat will help us expand our work throughout southern AZ. Andres is a Tucson native and Karuna is from Wisconsin. Both have experience working in the field with plants: ow.ly/UzQ050Y0jai
In case you've ever wondered why your friends sometimes refer to javelinas as skunk pigs or musk hogs, it's because they have a scent gland on their nethers. One of our Border Wildlife Study cameras got a good shot of one recently. To learn more: ow.ly/7ZNg50XU7mP
January 20, 2026 at 3:37 PM
In case you've ever wondered why your friends sometimes refer to javelinas as skunk pigs or musk hogs, it's because they have a scent gland on their nethers. One of our Border Wildlife Study cameras got a good shot of one recently. To learn more: ow.ly/7ZNg50XU7mP
Back by popular demand: On Feb. 5, at 6:30 p.m., we're hosting another free workshop at our Tucson office for folks who want to learn how to find and survey off-trail springs in the Sky Islands. Join us and learn how to help protect these wildlife oases: ow.ly/8bqT50XVQyr
January 15, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Back by popular demand: On Feb. 5, at 6:30 p.m., we're hosting another free workshop at our Tucson office for folks who want to learn how to find and survey off-trail springs in the Sky Islands. Join us and learn how to help protect these wildlife oases: ow.ly/8bqT50XVQyr
Looking for some family-friendly fun outdoors? Join us and our allies for the Santa Cruz Watershed Days of Connection (Jan. 17, Feb. 28, and March 21). There will be food, music, and fun at each event, as well as a chance to help clean up along the river. ow.ly/kxQW50XSaXi
January 14, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Looking for some family-friendly fun outdoors? Join us and our allies for the Santa Cruz Watershed Days of Connection (Jan. 17, Feb. 28, and March 21). There will be food, music, and fun at each event, as well as a chance to help clean up along the river. ow.ly/kxQW50XSaXi
ICYMI: AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes recently announced a first-of-its-kind groundwater settlement with a Willcox Basin megadairy. Following years of falling groundwater levels, 2,000 acres of irrigated farmland is being forced to transition land use: ow.ly/jW2e50XVHOp
January 13, 2026 at 3:33 PM
ICYMI: AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes recently announced a first-of-its-kind groundwater settlement with a Willcox Basin megadairy. Following years of falling groundwater levels, 2,000 acres of irrigated farmland is being forced to transition land use: ow.ly/jW2e50XVHOp
If you’re free this weekend, Jan. 15-18, it’s not too late to join the Wings Over Willcox Birding & Nature Festival. So many cool field trips and a chance to witness one of our region’s phenomena: the sandhill cranes at Whitewater Draw. To learn more: ow.ly/UhIA50XU8pE
January 12, 2026 at 3:50 PM
If you’re free this weekend, Jan. 15-18, it’s not too late to join the Wings Over Willcox Birding & Nature Festival. So many cool field trips and a chance to witness one of our region’s phenomena: the sandhill cranes at Whitewater Draw. To learn more: ow.ly/UhIA50XU8pE
As an expression of our gratitude for all the many ways y’all helped support our work last year, today we have a special reflection to share from SIA Executive Director Louise Misztal: ow.ly/GNBw50XTCKG. Onward in 2026!
January 9, 2026 at 3:44 PM
As an expression of our gratitude for all the many ways y’all helped support our work last year, today we have a special reflection to share from SIA Executive Director Louise Misztal: ow.ly/GNBw50XTCKG. Onward in 2026!
Calling all weekday warriors: On Jan. 13 and Jan. 20, we’re hosting volunteer events as part of our Tucson spring cleaning campaign to restore desert wildlife oases. We’ll be at Barrel Spring on the northeast side of town removing invasive arundo. Join us! skyislandalliance.org/calendar
January 8, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Calling all weekday warriors: On Jan. 13 and Jan. 20, we’re hosting volunteer events as part of our Tucson spring cleaning campaign to restore desert wildlife oases. We’ll be at Barrel Spring on the northeast side of town removing invasive arundo. Join us! skyislandalliance.org/calendar
We made it through the wild ride that was 2025 and find ourselves looking ahead as Sky Island winter settles around us. What's next in our work? For a sneak peek, check out this blog from SIA’s Emily Burns: ow.ly/JBQT50XSIUH
January 7, 2026 at 3:10 PM
We made it through the wild ride that was 2025 and find ourselves looking ahead as Sky Island winter settles around us. What's next in our work? For a sneak peek, check out this blog from SIA’s Emily Burns: ow.ly/JBQT50XSIUH
Quick update on our Tucson spring cleaning campaign. In November, students from Sedona’s Verde Valley School helped us remove invasive plants at Mescal Spring. And on Jan. 13 and Jan. 20, we’re back with more volunteer day trips at Barrel Spring. Join us! ow.ly/B2m650XSc3U
January 6, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Quick update on our Tucson spring cleaning campaign. In November, students from Sedona’s Verde Valley School helped us remove invasive plants at Mescal Spring. And on Jan. 13 and Jan. 20, we’re back with more volunteer day trips at Barrel Spring. Join us! ow.ly/B2m650XSc3U
Great volunteer opportunity later this month along a beautiful stretch of the western Sky Islands. On Jan. 31 our allies in the Altar Valley are doing highway clean-up along AZ-286, which runs from Three Points to Sasabe and through Buenos Aires NWR: ow.ly/IEGZ50XxR5F
January 5, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Great volunteer opportunity later this month along a beautiful stretch of the western Sky Islands. On Jan. 31 our allies in the Altar Valley are doing highway clean-up along AZ-286, which runs from Three Points to Sasabe and through Buenos Aires NWR: ow.ly/IEGZ50XxR5F
Who’s ready to rewild some more roads, this time in the beautiful Canelo Hills just south of Sonoita? On Jan. 23-25, we’re hosting our next volunteer camping trip for this project, and we’d love for you to join us in this unique corner of the Sky Islands: ow.ly/Yc4N50XLHpE
December 18, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Who’s ready to rewild some more roads, this time in the beautiful Canelo Hills just south of Sonoita? On Jan. 23-25, we’re hosting our next volunteer camping trip for this project, and we’d love for you to join us in this unique corner of the Sky Islands: ow.ly/Yc4N50XLHpE
Plans are moving forward to build new border wall in several parts of Arizona, and we need your help to oppose this destructive plan. The Trump admin is proposing 19 miles of new primary border wall and 42 miles of “double wall." To learn more and comment: ow.ly/BaB750XKsy1
December 17, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Plans are moving forward to build new border wall in several parts of Arizona, and we need your help to oppose this destructive plan. The Trump admin is proposing 19 miles of new primary border wall and 42 miles of “double wall." To learn more and comment: ow.ly/BaB750XKsy1
Cool weather, cottonwoods overhead, good people, and a creek running through it all! This Jan. 9-11, come join our next volunteer camping trip in the Galiuros' Aravaipa Canyon, where we'll be continuing our efforts to remove invasive vinca along the creek: ow.ly/ONG750XIAGi
December 16, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Cool weather, cottonwoods overhead, good people, and a creek running through it all! This Jan. 9-11, come join our next volunteer camping trip in the Galiuros' Aravaipa Canyon, where we'll be continuing our efforts to remove invasive vinca along the creek: ow.ly/ONG750XIAGi
On Jan. 8, at 6:30 p.m., we're hosting another free workshop at our Tucson office for folks who want to learn how to find and survey off-trail springs in the Sky Islands. Topics covered will include: reading maps, using navigation aids, and more: ow.ly/gjKI50XIAl3
December 15, 2025 at 3:20 PM
On Jan. 8, at 6:30 p.m., we're hosting another free workshop at our Tucson office for folks who want to learn how to find and survey off-trail springs in the Sky Islands. Topics covered will include: reading maps, using navigation aids, and more: ow.ly/gjKI50XIAl3
And now presenting the 2025 Sky Island Nutcracker! youtu.be/51OJlMGKXZo. Every year it brings us so much joy to see all the wildlife photos/videos shared from our FotoFauna community. We hope you enjoy this ode to our region's amazing wildlife across the seasons.
December 12, 2025 at 3:52 PM
And now presenting the 2025 Sky Island Nutcracker! youtu.be/51OJlMGKXZo. Every year it brings us so much joy to see all the wildlife photos/videos shared from our FotoFauna community. We hope you enjoy this ode to our region's amazing wildlife across the seasons.
Great in-depth article from @propublica.org, investigating grazing permits in the Southwest on public lands and the loopholes that have made it so permits can be rubber-stamped. It features Las Cienegas National Conservation Area here in southern Arizona: ow.ly/VqYI50XE8LU
A Loophole Allows Ranchers to Renew Grazing Permits With Little Scrutiny of the Environmental Impact
With dwindling oversight, cattle are grazing where they’re not supposed to and in greater numbers or for longer periods than permitted. This can spread invasive plants, pushing out native species and ...
ow.ly
December 9, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Great in-depth article from @propublica.org, investigating grazing permits in the Southwest on public lands and the loopholes that have made it so permits can be rubber-stamped. It features Las Cienegas National Conservation Area here in southern Arizona: ow.ly/VqYI50XE8LU
ICYMI: @azpm.org recently released an excellent documentary called “The Water and the Wall” about how the border wall is impacting precious water in Arizona. Especially timely given the new wall going up in the San Rafael Valley: ow.ly/6Bo550XC9FG
Photos of San Rafael spring courtesy SIA.
Photos of San Rafael spring courtesy SIA.
December 8, 2025 at 3:24 PM
ICYMI: @azpm.org recently released an excellent documentary called “The Water and the Wall” about how the border wall is impacting precious water in Arizona. Especially timely given the new wall going up in the San Rafael Valley: ow.ly/6Bo550XC9FG
Photos of San Rafael spring courtesy SIA.
Photos of San Rafael spring courtesy SIA.
Are you a land manager who’s dealt with invasive stinknet, or do you have similar experience through a nonprofit, agency, or other group? UArizona is looking for participants in a survey to learn more about strategies used to fight this invasive plant: ow.ly/5E2S50XByYt
December 4, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Are you a land manager who’s dealt with invasive stinknet, or do you have similar experience through a nonprofit, agency, or other group? UArizona is looking for participants in a survey to learn more about strategies used to fight this invasive plant: ow.ly/5E2S50XByYt
ICYMI: yesterday our allies at the University of Arizona Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center shared that they spotted a new jaguar in AZ. This marks the 5th distinct jaguar seen in the U.S. since 2011 and is a reminder why we must protect our borderlands’ wildlife corridors: ow.ly/e5o750XBuo3
New jaguar spotted in southern Arizona
The University of Arizona Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center (WCC) has found a new jaguar in the United States.
ow.ly
December 3, 2025 at 8:38 PM
ICYMI: yesterday our allies at the University of Arizona Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center shared that they spotted a new jaguar in AZ. This marks the 5th distinct jaguar seen in the U.S. since 2011 and is a reminder why we must protect our borderlands’ wildlife corridors: ow.ly/e5o750XBuo3
We’re back with another featured Sky Island hike, this time from SIA board member Eric Aldrich and to a lesser known part of Saguaro National Park called Madrona Ranger Station. Check out Eric’s blog to learn more and for a trip report to the area’s pools: ow.ly/VZyh50XxIgu
December 3, 2025 at 3:19 PM
We’re back with another featured Sky Island hike, this time from SIA board member Eric Aldrich and to a lesser known part of Saguaro National Park called Madrona Ranger Station. Check out Eric’s blog to learn more and for a trip report to the area’s pools: ow.ly/VZyh50XxIgu
ICYMI: We've got a $42,000 match going today for #GivingTuesday. This is a great chance to show your Sky Islands some love and support our work, including our latest campaign to defend wildlife threatened by border wall construction in the San Rafael Valley: ow.ly/gvRZ50Uh4SS
December 2, 2025 at 7:30 PM
ICYMI: We've got a $42,000 match going today for #GivingTuesday. This is a great chance to show your Sky Islands some love and support our work, including our latest campaign to defend wildlife threatened by border wall construction in the San Rafael Valley: ow.ly/gvRZ50Uh4SS
Today is Giving Tuesday, and a reminder that we’ve got a $42,000 match from now until Dec. 31. Your gift today will help support our work, including our latest campaign to defend wildlife threatened by border wall construction in the San Rafael Valley: ow.ly/gvRZ50Uh4SS
December 2, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Today is Giving Tuesday, and a reminder that we’ve got a $42,000 match from now until Dec. 31. Your gift today will help support our work, including our latest campaign to defend wildlife threatened by border wall construction in the San Rafael Valley: ow.ly/gvRZ50Uh4SS
Looking for a way to give back to the places you love in the true spirit of Thanksgiving? This morning, we shared the giving edition of our Tracker newsletter, with a range of ways to show your love for the Sky Islands: ow.ly/bwvW50XwYNo
November 28, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Looking for a way to give back to the places you love in the true spirit of Thanksgiving? This morning, we shared the giving edition of our Tracker newsletter, with a range of ways to show your love for the Sky Islands: ow.ly/bwvW50XwYNo