Creating Solutions
Renewable Energy
While the West faces certain unique challenges, it’s also posed with equally unique opportunities. Renewable energy is one of those opportunities. For the Sonoran Institute, supporting these alternative energy initiatives only makes sense — it creates a more sustainable energy solution for communities, protects valuable lands and natural resources, and promotes healthy economic growth.
From transmission planning to solar, the opportunities are endless. We work with solar providers and land managers to mitigate the impact on the natural environment while maximizing the potential for low-conflict siting of transmission lines and infrastructure. We see the West as key to a renewable energy future, and we’re proud to be a part of its success.
Military Mission Preservation
The Sonoran Institute has a long history working with the military to plan for and preserve the land needed for military bases. We help ensure that military lands are protected from increasing threats of encroachment and help community leaders anticipate the potential impacts future planning may have on these installations. In Arizona alone, this is helping protect a $9 billion economic driver.
In 2012, our efforts helped pass Prop 119 which allows Arizona to address incompatible uses encroaching on military bases through the trade of state trust land for federally owned land. Just another way we’re supporting the communities and environments of the West.
California Mining
Balancing economic and environmental efforts is a major part of what we do at the Sonoran Institute. This careful balance was epitomized in the California Mining Report we released in fall of 2015.
By examining the impact of California mining on the local economy, and weighing that against he benefits of conservation efforts, our report helped pave the way for the proposed California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act (CDCRA).