An Update From Our CEO

The breathtaking and diverse landscapes of Colorado inspire me. Aspen leaves ablaze with color in the autumn, the iconic snow-capped Rockies in winter, picturesque cities and towns full of friendly faces—there’s something for everyone here.

Coming to Understand Water in the Desert

“You feel like it’s a place that people have had deep meaningful connections to for a long time.” —Roger Dorr, chief of resource management and park archaeologist at Tumacácori National Historic Park Roger… MORE ›

An Update From Our CEO

A Splash of Summer It’s summertime! That time of year, when we all like to get away and enjoy friends, family, or just some quiet time alone. It’s time to visit new places and favorite,… MORE ›

The Magic of Flowing Water

Sonoran Institute’s headquarters are right downtown, so I thought no problem, I’ll give myself 15-20 minutes and have plenty of time to jump on my bike and get there. In hindsight, I should… MORE ›

Just Add Water

A new flow for the Santa Cruz River in Downtown Tucson On June 24th Tucson Water will launch the Santa Cruz River Heritage Project with the release of highly treated recycled water into the… MORE ›

Día de San Juan Fiesta

4:30–10 PM Mercado san agustin annex 267 s. avenida del convento tucson, az 85745 Fiesta and Santa Cruz River Heritage Project Launch El Día de San Juan is a traditional, family-friendly event welcoming… MORE ›

6×6: Creative & Scientific Minds Come Together to Protect the Southwest

  Grace:  It is a rarity to find pretty much anything that combines the arts and sciences, so when we heard about the 6×6 exhibit, we had to check it out for ourselves.… MORE ›

Luke Cole

Director, Santa Cruz River program

An Update From Our CEO

I want to thank each and every one of you for the critical role you play in making our work possible. This past year demonstrated that with perseverance and dedication we will thrive.… MORE ›

Sharing Research to Improve Life Along the Santa Cruz

Tenth annual Research Days includes premiere of new online tool and field trip The Sonoran Institute is hosting the Santa Cruz River Research Days 10th Anniversary event, drawing scientists and community leaders from… MORE ›

Topminnow Returns: An artist, our ecologist and a sustainability expert collaborate

In December 2017, I was fortunate to attend the kick-off workshop of the 2017 Catalyst Initiative teams. Organized by the Center for Performance and Civic Practice (CPCP), this program funds pairs of artists… MORE ›

Gila Topminnow Artwork Comes to Loop Path and Downtown Tucson

Connect the Public with Flowing Santa Cruz River Last November, the endangered Gila topminnow, a native Sonoran Desert fish, was discovered in the Santa Cruz River in Tucson. Now a team of artists,… MORE ›

Gila Topminnow Returns Bike Ride

8-10Am All ages welcome   Does a fish need a bicycle? Well, no. But we’re celebrating the return of the Gila Topminnow to Tucson’s Santa Cruz River—and the new artwork honoring it—with a… MORE ›

Gila Topminnow Cocktails & Bike Decorating Party

5-8pm All ages welcome Bar food and drinks available for purchase   Celebrate the return of the fish (thanks to YOUR wastewater) to the Santa Cruz River with a commemorative cocktail, created especially… MORE ›

An Update From Our CEO

We’re Dedicated to Helping Communities Live Their Values Change happens in communities by bringing people together, identifying shared values and finding common ground, which is what the Sonoran Institute does best. You and… MORE ›

An Update From Our CEO

It is the season of gratitude for the year’s achievements and the setting of intentions for the year to come. Here at the Sonoran Institute we are looking back on a year of… MORE ›

Pima County and Sonoran Institute Continue Work with Lower Santa Cruz

Newly Released Living River Report Demonstrates Sustained Improvements TUCSON, Ariz. (September 11, 2017)– Pima County and the Sonoran Institute have completed the final EPA-funded report in a series entitled A Living River. The… MORE ›

Our New Year’s Resolution for 2017

Dear Friend, We begin the New Year here at the Sonoran Institute with a simple message: Thank You! Thank you for your support, your dedication and your continued commitment to our North American… MORE ›

Flowing Gems at the Southern Arizona Work Space

Do you know the Santa Cruz River is Tucson’s Living River? Come learn more about this flowing gem. That’s right, though many residents are familiar with its dry stretches, our river has stretches that… MORE ›

Claire Zugmeyer

Ecologist