ICYMI: In Sonora there’s a new way ranchers can voluntarily advance conservation on their land through what’s called a Derecho Real de Conservación, which works like a conservation easement. An exciting addition to the toolkit: https://ow.ly/yZTe50Zs611

Another Sonoran adventure to share with y'all, this time in Sierra Los Ajos. Our Spring Seeker team has been busy this summer. Before this trip, one of the vehicles got a flat tire, and then they were met with rain at camp. But as the pics show, persistence pays off! https://ow.ly/61L050ZrvI0

More news from the Lower San Pedro River. In March SIA staff joined an EcoFlight tour to monitor exploratory drilling associated with Faraday Copper’s open-pit plans. Hydrologists warn of serious impacts to the water table and nearby Aravaipa Canyon: https://ow.ly/RZHk50ZqVcF

The Lower San Pedro River Valley is once again under threat, and we need your help to speak out against a proposed gas pipeline. This Thursday, July 23, at 6pm, a coalition of local groups is hosting an info session to learn more about the project/risks: https://ow.ly/VKno50Zqc1n

ICYMI: The Coronado National Forest got a welcome addition recently, the largest in two decades, with 695 protected acres of rolling grassland and oak woodlands on the north side of the Catalinas just south of Oracle — a win for wildlife, recreation, and public lands: https://ow.ly/7FCg50ZmeKs

Recently, our team in #Sonora went spring seeking in the wild and remote Sierra La Madera. It was the first time up the mountain for several folks. They found several springs — tipped off by lush groves of green, butterflies, and birdsong. To see photos: https://ow.ly/Bvvv50ZlQOG

Our #SpringSeeker program is expanding in Sonora into areas of APFF Bavispe, which like Saguaro National Park, has separate, non-contiguous units under its protection. It’s not always easy, but every step is worth the effort. To learn more about this work: https://ow.ly/aFmU50ZlQHs

Touching grass (or rocks) and being outside is good for the soul. Doing it with others is even better. Join us for volunteer camping trips July 24-26 & July 31-Aug. 2 on #MtLemmon. We'll be building erosion-control structures to help the mountain thrive: ow.ly/We7650Zesrs

Recently our #SpringSeeker community science project hit a big milestone: 2,500 springs surveyed in the Sky Islands! Amazing. In all, there are ~8,000 springs in the region. To learn more and get involved, visit: https://ow.ly/5skR50XC7bm

You may have heard people say that “Huachucas” means “Thunder Mountain” in Apache, but that’s actually not the case — though this sky island does draw its share of rain and storms. A recent video from anthropologist Deni Seymour dives into the name origin: https://ow.ly/25wZ50ZjsPg

Our allies at New Mexico Wild need our help protecting Antelope Pass from an open-pit mine. This area lies in the eastern Sky Islands in the Peloncillo Mountains. It's famous for its lizard diversity, dark skies, and as an important wildlife corridor. Sign the petition: https://ow.ly/mf9S50ZiOES

ICYMI: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a draft recovery plan for endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels. The 2017 Frye Fire was a major setback; just 35 squirrels were thought to exist. But a recent count turned up 232, and this plan offers more hope: https://ow.ly/2pKv50Ziuhs

Nothing like summer in the Sky Islands: watching birds flit effortlessly and listening to hermit thrushes. Join us on #MtLemmon for two volunteer weekends next month! We’ll be building erosion-control structures to heal the mountain after the Bighorn Fire: ow.ly/We7650Zesrs

#FotoFauna highlights are in from this past month, and one joy was seeing the range of your clever water features and exit ramps for wildlife. Very creative! Check out this video — and if you live where the wild things are, consider joining our #communityscience project: https://ow.ly/5C3o50TTLT7

More tough news from the San Rafael Valley: #BorderWall plans have moved forward, damming the Santa Cruz River with a dirt road that’ll eventually be replaced by steel wall. Learn more in this interview with SIA's Eamon Harrity, then take action to protect our borderlands: https://ow.ly/tb0i50Zfu1X

Two more opportunities to camp with us on Mt. Lemmon on July 24-26 and July 31-Aug. 2. It’s been six years since 2020’s Bighorn Fire. But signs of renewal are all around and you can be part of efforts to heal the mountain through our erosion-control work: https://ow.ly/We7650Zesrs

Our FotoFauna lending libraries are growing, with options to check out a wildlife camera in Arivaca, Bisbee, Douglas, Patagonia, Tucson, and Moctezuma, Sonora. To learn more about this community science project and how to get started, visit: https://ow.ly/n3lV50Zcu3Y

Join us for our next virtual Coffee Break on July 9 at 9:30am. SIA Wildlife Specialist Meagan Bethel will take us on a deep dive into the different cottontail and jackrabbit species that make their home in the Sky Islands and bring so much joy with their every hop and step: https://ow.ly/cFCm50ZbkQO

A warm welcome to two new SIA team members! Tika Arnold (Tucson) joins us as community coordinator, focusing on wildfire fuels at Saguaro National Park. Minette Peralta (Jecori, Sonora) joins as our Path of the Jaguar intern, with a focus on outreach. https://ow.ly/NbH050ZbnXc

SIA Executive Director Louise Misztal recently sat down with the Rewilding Institute for a podcast, so check it out to learn more about the unique Sky Islands. Fun fact: The podcast host, Jack Humphrey, was ED himself in the mid-90s. Listening to the two chat is a treat: https://ow.ly/QSEq50ZblNQ

Our 2025 Annual Report is hot off the press, so take a look and see all the amazing things you and our staff and volunteers have made possible: https://ow.ly/xvl950Z8Y9n. Inside you'll find a letter from SIA's Louise Misztal, plus a range of accomplishments, photos and financials.

Utah Senator Mike Lee wants to gut the 2001 Roadless Rule — which protects wildlands nationwide — by attaching an amendment to the Wildfire Prevention Act (S. 140). The committee votes tomorrow. Call AZ Senator Ruben Gallego at 202-224-4521 and tell him to vote no on this amendment.

Skunks are often noted for their own smell, but they're actually expert sniffers too. As you can see in this video from our Border Wildlife Study, this spotted skunk is well aware of the other animals that have passed through this wildlife opening in the border wall. To learn more: ow.ly/XK2o50Z91Iz

A promising new article published in Frontiers in Environmental Science, including two local authors: It explores the potential for simple rock structures like the ones we build in our volunteer trips to restore dryland water cycles and possibly even influence rainfall: https://ow.ly/zU3I50Z5PaZ

This June 28, join us for an open mic at Tucson's Hotel Congress to celebrate and call in the 2026 #monsoon! This event is in partnership with the University of Arizona Poetry Center. Participants can share their own work or a rain-themed poem they love. To learn more: https://ow.ly/o6Qe50Z5hgh

It’s never too early to dream and hope for rain! At least not following this year’s drought and with an #ElNiño in the works. The National Weather Service has published their 2026 #monsoon outlook for June 15 to Sept. 30. Check it out: https://ow.ly/3x4F50Z5Nos ☔

Think you can tell the difference between the Sky Islands’ four kinds of skunks? Or between its different species of deer and hares? SIA's Meagan Bethel created a new set of quizzes so you can test your knowledge. Check ‘em out, along with an ID guide: https://ow.ly/t59R50Z4R7e

This June, we’re supporting another Spring Seeker campaign along the San Pedro River and are in need of volunteers to head out in the field independently and help make it a success. See the full list of springs needing surveyed and sign up: https://ow.ly/NbU850Z4Pgg

Want to camp with us on Mt. Lemmon over the solstice weekend, June 19-21? We’re hosting a volunteer trip. It’s been six years since the Bighorn Fire swept Mt. Lemmon. But signs of renewal are all around, and you can be part of efforts to heal the mountain: https://ow.ly/vX4850Z3in9

FotoFauna highlights are in from this past month, and here’s your chance to see a Gila monster swimming, a near-record high jump in the furball division, and another spotted kitty in Sonora. Check out this video and consider joining our community science project: ​​https://ow.ly/5C3o50TTLT7