Living Desert Alliance
Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving
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PCDP Community Food Drive
Collections run through Nov. 21st
Celebration Event Nov. 23rd
You Can Make a Difference!
As announced in our November 10th LDA newsletter alert, the Living Desert Alliance, along with Arizona List, Save Our Schools (S.O.S.), Tucson Food Share, and AFGE Local 2391, is participating in a collaborative effort led by the Pima County Democratic Party (PCDP) to collect food and health items throughout Pima County for families struggling to put food on the table on a regular basis.
You can help by bringing nonperishable food items to Arizona List, 2720 E. Broadway, Tucson, Monday through Friday, 10am - 2pm.
Individuals and organizations wishing to make monetary donations can donate to Tucson Food Share, 2500 N Stone Ave, Tucson AZ.
A celebration will take place on November 23rd at St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church at 4625 E River Rd. from 9 am to 11:30 am. This will be followed by a noon to 1:00 pm rally to thank all volunteers, partners, and contributors. There will be several surprise guests as well!
Please share this information with your family, friends and others to help those most in need in our community. Together we can make a difference.
Questions should be directed to Tim Kosse, PCDP First Vice Chair.
Firstvicechair@pimadems.org
Press Release
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Rally for the
San Rafael Valley
Border Wall Protest
UPDATE
On November 15th, over 200 protesters attended a multicultural rally protesting the San Rafael Valley Border Wall and to amplify the ecocidal border destruction it is causing.
Special guest speakers, tribal elders, dancers from Danza Mexica, elected officials, artists, poets, and performers were present. Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva, in her first weekend after being sworn into office, spoke passionately stating, "… this (wall) literally is going to have no impact on immigration; it has nothing to do with that. This is just a show of force.”
The rally was a cultural and environmental educational event where everyone experienced firsthand the devastation the 27-mile border wall is doing to this beautiful valley. The construction continues at a rapid pace, with the mountains south and west of Montezuma Pass being blasted and carved. Cement is being made onsite, with several wells drilled into the aquifer which results in vital springs being drained.
Environmental groups have filed suit to stop the project, challenging the legality of the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to waive environmental protection laws to speed up construction. The fight continues.
Find out more at https://borderwallresistance.com
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Virtual Presentation: Desert Martins of the Southwest
Research & Conservation in Action
Thursday, November 20th, 11am – 12pm
Join Director of Bird Conservation, Jennie MacFarland, and Applied Conservation Program Manager, Olya Weekley, for an engaging virtual presentation exploring Tucson Bird Alliance’s Desert Martin Program. This overview will highlight the goals of the program, the exciting work being done to support these charismatic birds, and why desert martins are such an important—and delightful—part of our desert ecosystem.
This virtual event is free to join. Registrants will be emailed a Zoom link prior to the presentation. Register here for this informative presentation.
image: Desert Purple Martins by Francis Morgan
| | Get Out and About in Pima County | | |
Steve Anderson Sweetwater Trailhead Upgrades
Pima County’s November 14th FYI Newsletter reports that the Steve Anderson Sweetwater Trailhead, which can see as many as 500 users a day, is now looking better than ever..
Until recently, the trailhead was home to an unmarked parking lot – which often led to a chaotic parking situation, especially on popular trail use days. “The old trailhead was shaped like a bathtub. It also didn’t have designated parking spots, which led to people parking inefficiently or blocking other cars,” said Patrick Goodnight, trails program manager at Pima County Conservation Lands & Resources (CLR).
But that’s not the case any longer. Now, the parking lot features an improved entry road, 45 parking blocks, two ADA-compliant parking spaces, a designated horse trailer parking zone and a new bench at the south end of the park. The trail offers access to the Sweetwater Preserve Trail System, a 15-mile network of beginner and intermediate single-track trails popular among hikers, cyclists and equestrian users.
In 2023, the trailhead was named for the late Steve Anderson, a long-time County employee who was instrumental in building more than 2,200 miles of trails around the County.
Special Note: The trails are maintained by volunteers from the Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists as well as CLR staff. To volunteer with CLR to help build, monitor and maintain County trails, check out these upcoming Trail Steward training sessions:
- Sunday, Nov. 23, at Sarasota Trailhead, 8 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, Dec. 13, at Enchanted Hills Trailhead, 8 a.m. to noon
Props to CLR and the Sonoran Desert Bicyclist for their great work on this project. Their efforts help to Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving.
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Marana 2026
Hiking Challenge
Marana’s 14th Edition MOVE Across 2 Ranges Hiking Challenge is set for Saturday, February 21, 2026.
As their website states, “This event is an awesome way to explore nature and get active. Hit the trails and experience the challenge and beauty of Southern Arizona's Tortolita and Catalina Mountains in one day! Trail run, hike, or stroll through this fun event. Join us for another year of fun and adventure.”
Starting at the Wild Burro Trailhead - 14810 N. Secret Spring Road, (trailhead located inside the Ritz-Carlton gate) attendees can register for different participation levels ranging from Mighty to Major to Mega to Massive, depending on skill levels and experience.
Register now to reserve a space for this exciting Sonoran Desert event.
| | Community Event Reminder! | | |
2025 Annual
San Pedro
Bi-National
Beaver Survey
Final Event
Saturday, December 6th
Through the River Run Network, the Watershed Management Group (WMG) has been working to survey beaver populations along the San Pedro River on both sides of the border, and you can help!
Join in the search for signs of beavers, all while taking in the beautiful views the Upper San Pedro / San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA) has to offer. Be part of a team in a bi-national effort to further understand beaver activity in Southern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico.
Click below to learn more about these important events!
Photo by David Manual
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Have a wonderful and joyous Thanksgiving Day.
We'll see you for our next edition on December 4th.
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