Helping Gila Topminnow Swim Home
In 2015, we found about a dozen endangered Gila topminnow in the Santa Cruz River near Tubac. If you had told me then, that in 2020 I would help catch hundreds of the… MORE ›
SEARCH
Celebrating the Santa Cruz River: What Makes Tucson Extraordinary
“This is what happens when a stretch of river comes back to life. There are many benefits. We should aspire to more wet stretches.” -Lauri Kaye, Tucson artist Nature has inspired human creativity… MORE ›
With Careful Planning, the Gila Topminnow Could Move Downtown
The diminutive Gila topminnow is a big indicator of change. This endangered fish, no bigger than your thumb, is native to the region but disappeared from the Santa Cruz River near Tucson decades… MORE ›
Sonoran Institute takes on the Sublime: A field trip to the Tucson Museum of Art
Four of us from the Tucson office visited a recent exhibition at Tucson Museum of Art: The Western Sublime: Majestic Landscapes of the American West. Here are some takeaways from Elise Christmon, Luke… 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 ›
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 ›
Living River Project Receives Award
2018 National Environmental Achievement Award The Pima County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to recognize the Pima County Living River Project Steering Committee and its partners, Sonoran Institute and the United States Environmental… MORE ›
Rain Garden to Address Flooding with Desert Plants on Tucson’s South Side
Sonoran Institute and Watershed Management Group to host a public celebration at new demonstration site TUCSON, Arizona (Jan. 30, 2018) – The newly built rain garden demonstration site at New Hope/Nueva Esperanza United… MORE ›
What Does Water Taste Like?
Do you remember what water tasted like as a kid? For me, it’s a very vivid taste; and, I’m surprised about how many memories of drinking water I have! There were rules, of… MORE ›
From Ghost River to Living River
The Tucson All Souls Procession is moving this year and I couldn’t be happier. This year’s route will parallel a stretch of our Santa Cruz River. In my mind, there is no better… MORE ›
Learning from Nature: Taking Advantage of Rainwater’s Benefits
Rain can mean more than just the need to use your windshield wipers while driving. While rain may be a welcoming break from the many hot and sunny days in the Sonoran… MORE ›
Endangered Fish Thriving in Santa Cruz River
Recycled Wastewater Vital for Ecosystem Recovery The endangered Gila topminnow, which returned to the Santa Cruz River after a 10 year absence, now appears to be thriving. The native Arizona species, listed under… MORE ›
Lower Santa Cruz River Study Results
Newly Released Living River Report Tracks Changing River Conditions TUCSON, Ariz. (July 12, 2016) – Pima County and the Sonoran Institute have finalized the third EPA-funded report in a series entitled A Living… MORE ›
The Living River of Your Community
What is a river to a desert? A source of life, a safe haven for plants and animals, perhaps a place to have your next weekend picnic? How about all of those things.… MORE ›