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.
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
Much love to all the turkeys out there, keeping it wild in the Sky Islands! Here, along the Santa Cruz River and San Pedro River, at Las Cienegas and Lone Mountain Tank in the Huachucas, in Coronado National Memorial, and at a ranch in Sonora.
November 26, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Much love to all the turkeys out there, keeping it wild in the Sky Islands! Here, along the Santa Cruz River and San Pedro River, at Las Cienegas and Lone Mountain Tank in the Huachucas, in Coronado National Memorial, and at a ranch in Sonora.
On Nov. 29, Tucson’s Reid Park Zoo is hosting activities for International Jaguar Day, including a screening of the documentary “American Southwest." There will be games for the kids and several local nonprofits will be there, including SIA. Should be fun! ow.ly/kKHE50Xrn5G
November 25, 2025 at 3:54 PM
On Nov. 29, Tucson’s Reid Park Zoo is hosting activities for International Jaguar Day, including a screening of the documentary “American Southwest." There will be games for the kids and several local nonprofits will be there, including SIA. Should be fun! ow.ly/kKHE50Xrn5G
Ready for a field trip? On Dec. 16, we’re hosting a volunteer day at McGrew Spring in the Whetstones. Closed to the public, the spring is more than 2 miles from any other water source and is a favorite haunt of wildlife. We'll be removing invasive plants: ow.ly/rk3P50Xuqrf
Springs Restoration in the Whetstone Mountains
Join us for a day removing invasive species around McGrew Spring in the Whetstone Mountains!
ow.ly
November 24, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Ready for a field trip? On Dec. 16, we’re hosting a volunteer day at McGrew Spring in the Whetstones. Closed to the public, the spring is more than 2 miles from any other water source and is a favorite haunt of wildlife. We'll be removing invasive plants: ow.ly/rk3P50Xuqrf
Some music for your ears: Today, Lise Tanfin and Grégory Rolland have released a new podcast and album that captures the audio signature of the Sonoran Desert. The creators teamed up with SIA staff to gather some of the sounds that made it into the album: ow.ly/5mNN50XuKeW
November 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Some music for your ears: Today, Lise Tanfin and Grégory Rolland have released a new podcast and album that captures the audio signature of the Sonoran Desert. The creators teamed up with SIA staff to gather some of the sounds that made it into the album: ow.ly/5mNN50XuKeW
Low-tech rock structures as a way to save water are as old as the hills. And it’s amazing how they can help transform and heal a landscape. To learn more about how we're using these structures on Mt. Lemmon, check out this article in the Desert Leaf: ow.ly/L0mZ50Xrler
November 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Low-tech rock structures as a way to save water are as old as the hills. And it’s amazing how they can help transform and heal a landscape. To learn more about how we're using these structures on Mt. Lemmon, check out this article in the Desert Leaf: ow.ly/L0mZ50Xrler
Have you ever wondered how border infrastructure affects local communities, Indigenous peoples, and wildlife in Mexico? Join us Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. for our next virtual Coffee Break to hear directly from our Sonoran partners: ow.ly/32Va50XqK8L
November 13, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Have you ever wondered how border infrastructure affects local communities, Indigenous peoples, and wildlife in Mexico? Join us Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. for our next virtual Coffee Break to hear directly from our Sonoran partners: ow.ly/32Va50XqK8L
And last but not least in special moments from the Sky Islands Festival: On the final night, there was an interpretive dance honoring the activists defending monarch butterfly reserves. To learn more, check out this blog from SIA's Ángel Garcia: ow.ly/qirk50XoL7y
November 11, 2025 at 11:08 PM
And last but not least in special moments from the Sky Islands Festival: On the final night, there was an interpretive dance honoring the activists defending monarch butterfly reserves. To learn more, check out this blog from SIA's Ángel Garcia: ow.ly/qirk50XoL7y