This American Land presents: Return of a River
This episode of the PBS series This American Land tells the inspiring rebirth story of the Santa Cruz River in southern Arizona. Once a dry channel, the river now flows again in stretches thanks to visionary water management and community commitment. Sonoran Institute’s Director of the Santa Cruz River program, Luke Cole, and the program’s Ecologist, Claire Zugmeyer, guide viewers through the river’s transformation, explaining how restored flows are bringing back wildlife, improving ecosystem health, and reconnecting people to this desert waterway.
The segment also features voices from key partners at the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department, and Tucson Water. Together, they describe how collaboration across agencies and organizations has been essential to restoring the river and securing its future. By blending science, policy, and community engagement, the story highlights not only the resilience of the Santa Cruz River but also the collective effort it takes to ensure this renewed resource continues to sustain both people and nature.